Land Agent (Job Family)

NiSource•Merrillville, IN

11h•Remote

About The Position

The Land Agent position is responsible for coordinating survey and land functions, including contacting and negotiating with landowners, their agents, or attorneys to secure various agreements necessary for company operations. This encompasses the acquisition and/or disposal of land rights, and the negotiation of damage claims resulting from construction, operation, and maintenance of Company Facilities. The role involves disbursing company funds for land rights and damage settlements, notifying landowners of planned activities, and negotiating facility relocations. Land Agents will develop expertise in property acquisition, easements, and leases, assist project engineers with construction routes, and act as a liaison for encroachments and landowner complaints. Additional duties include examining courthouse records, interpreting land documents, protecting company land rights, and providing Land Services support across the organization. The agent will also serve as a representative to governmental agencies, coordinate appraisals, investigate damages, assist with training, draft permit applications, ensure regulatory compliance, and conduct environmental reviews. This is a remote position, requiring the candidate to reside in Indiana, and is open to various levels within the Land Agent job family.

Requirements

For Land Agent I: 1-3 years of appropriate work experience (or 3 years of appropriate work experience).
For Land Agent II: 1-3 years of appropriate work experience. Additional requirement of 1 year experience as a NiSource Land Agent or Contractor for NiSource.
Customer service experience.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Proficient interpretation and analyses of land documents.
Superior organizational skills.
Analytical and decision-making skills.
Proven positive team player.
Demonstrated initiative with results orientation.
Strong problem solving skills.
Compliance with all Local, State and Federal rules, regulations and laws regarding requirements for Real Estate Brokerage Licensing where applicable.
Valid Drivers License Upon Hire.
Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree
Experience in acquisition, abstracting and property protection
Leasing and third-party administration

Responsibilities

Contact property owners or their legal representative in order to negotiate and obtain rights-of-way, easements, leases, railroad agreements, options to purchase, etc.
Disburses company funds in payment for land rights and damage settlements to property owners.
Notifies landowners of planned company activity on their property, as needed.
Negotiates relocation of facilities and/or reimbursable projects.
Settles minor damage claims.
Develop knowledge in acquisition of property, easements and leases.
Assists project engineers in establishing construction routes and determining availability for property needed for new or replacement construction.
Acts as liaison when investigating and resolving minor encroachments and landowner complaints.
Negotiates the termination of domestic gas service from local distribution company facilities, converting consumer to alternate fuel source.
Perform routine examination of courthouse records.
Basic ability to interpret land documents while developing more complex knowledge.
Basic knowledge in reading project plans, maps, topographic maps, etc.
Protects the integrity of the company’s land rights by working with developers and third parties.
Collectively provide Land Services support across the organization.
Serves as liaison and representative of NiSource local distribution company with governmental agencies, private organizations and individuals.
Coordinate appraisals, investigates/appraises crop, timber, and property damages caused by maintenance and construction activities, and responds to land owner complaints.
Assists with the training and development of land agents.
Draft permit applications clearly and precisely for projects.
Responsible for coordinating and/or conducting monitoring and field investigations needed to support permit applications and assure compliance with existing permits, when applicable.
Participate in project planning process and identify natural resources related regulatory requirements needed for the successful completion of Gas or Electric projects.
Ensures compliance with all regulatory guidelines and company policies and procedures.
Conduct environmental reviews for corporate Land Right Transfer due diligence program.
Attention to detail while working under tight deadlines.
Support and apply all safety guidelines and be a champion for safety and support a strong safety culture.
Manage and/or assist with the management of third party land agents / contractors.
Reviews, for quality and accuracy, land rights agreements and/or permits secured by both in-house and contract land agents / contractors.
Coordinates changes in legal documents with company legal department.
Assist in-house and contract land agents / contractors with difficult land right acquisitions / permits.
Drives functional consistency process standardization and operational excellence.
Has the ability to perform leader functions during times of leader’s absence.