Land Rights Agent: Entry to Principal Levels

Xcel Energy • Denver, CO

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position has considerable latitude in deciding when permits are needed, negotiating acceptable permit conditions, and determining measures to minimize environmental impacts. Assignments are often self-initiated. The agent applies expert knowledge of land rights principles and regulations to complex assignments, balancing competing objectives with diplomacy and sound judgment. The role leads sensitive negotiations and settlements, provides analyses to support compensation decisions, and manages project schedules and budgets.

The position leads siting and land-rights work for major energy facilities, including transmission lines and thermal, wind, solar, biomass, and hydro generation projects. It negotiates land rights, obtains permits and approvals, represents the company before agencies and public bodies, and may serve as a spokesperson and expert witness. The agent also advises colleagues, supports strategic and regulatory work, prepares project estimates and proposals, selects and manages consultants, and leads teams handling condemnation proceedings.

The role is available at Associate, Agent, Senior, and Principal levels. The anticipated starting base pay is $64,100 to $138,600 per year, depending on level. Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model, though onsite expectations vary by role, team, and business needs; many roles are expected onsite three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday.

Requirements

• Associate level: Bachelor's degree in real estate, land-use planning, management, or business; a combination of relevant education and experience totaling four years may be considered instead.
• Land Rights Agent level: Bachelor's degree in real estate, land-use planning, management, or business; a combination of relevant education and experience totaling four years may be considered instead; two years of increasingly complex siting, acquisition, and/or land-rights management experience.
• Senior Land Rights Agent level: Bachelor's degree in real estate, land-use planning, management, or business; a combination of relevant education and experience totaling four years may be considered instead; at least five years of increasingly complex siting, acquisition, and/or land-rights management experience; demonstrated project-management skills.
• Principal Land Rights Agent level: Bachelor's degree in real estate, land-use planning, management, or business, or equivalent knowledge through a combination of relevant education and experience; at least eight years of increasingly complex siting, acquisition, and/or land-rights management experience; experience with state and federal permitting and/or acquisition activities; demonstrated technical-writing, verbal-communication, negotiation, and project-management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (Associate and Land Rights Agent levels).
• Valid driver's license required for the Principal Land Rights Agent level.
• All levels require or involve expert knowledge of land-rights principles and regulations, diplomacy, judgment, negotiation, and management of project schedules and budgets.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in high-pressure or medium-pressure gas utility work, or transmission utility work.
• SR/WA designation or an advanced degree.
• Previous project-management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, route alternatives analysis, site selection, and management of sites and corridors for major energy facilities, including transmission lines and generation plants.
• Represent Siting & Land Rights interests on multidisciplinary internal project teams involving engineering, legal, regulatory, and project management staff.
• Negotiate with landowners and their legal representatives to acquire and manage land rights for major energy facilities, including through condemnation when necessary.
• Prepare and administer easements, leases, deeds, and licenses; conduct abstracting and courthouse searches to facilitate acquisition and disposition of property rights.
• Lead preparation of applications and negotiate for and obtain federal, state, and local permits and approvals, including land-use and environmental permits.
• Represent the company before regulatory and land-management agencies, boards, planning commissions, and councils.
• Prepare project descriptions and summaries, respond to data requests, and present at public hearings to obtain project approvals.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for project-related land rights activities.
• Prepare and present written and oral expert testimony in state certification and other regulatory proceedings.
• Maintain technical knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local land-rights laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Develop and implement negotiating strategies to secure land rights at fair and equitable cost.
• Serve as a technical resource and advisor to Siting & Land Rights staff and consult with agents and team members on complex project issues.
• Assist in developing, refining, and implementing Xcel Energy strategic goals and objectives.
• Contribute to process teams concerning budgets and regulatory compliance.
• Assist internal departments and subsidiaries with land-rights management and acquisition, valuation, scheduling, and cost estimates for siting and land-rights activities.
• Prepare requests for proposals, contract agreements, and project estimates.
• Lead selection of consultants and contractors and manage consultants on major projects.
• Lead teams handling condemnation proceedings and provide testimony in related court cases.

Benefits

• Annual Incentive Program
• Medical/pharmacy plan
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Health Care Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account (if enrolled in an eligible health plan)
• Limited-Purpose Flexible Spending Account (if enrolled in an eligible health plan and HSA)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in an eligible health plan)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit programs
• Employee recognition program
• Pension
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off
• Parental Leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level