Right of Way Agent Assc. - Right of Way Agent Sr.

American Electric Power • Winfield, WV

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Assists in the acquisition of land, land rights, licenses, leases, permits and other documents necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of electric distribution lines and the maintenance of office files relative thereto. Assists in the acquisition of rights required by AEP for the construction, operation and maintenance of AEP's electric distribution and/or distribution facilities. This responsibility encompasses many thousand miles of facilities and many acres of land owned involving many thousands of dollars investment by AEP; responsible for the accuracy and safekeeping of AEP's records.

Requirements

• Associates degree in business, real estate, engineering, paralegal or related field OR High school diploma and 2 years' experience in right of way procurement, surveying, title research or related fields.
• 2 years' experience in right of way procurement, title research, surveying or related field of work. This is in addition to any experience listed above.
• Driver license.
• Physical demand level is Sedentary
• Strong communication skills – both verbal and written.
• Capable of walking long distances and up steep terrain.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a Notary Commission in 6 months of hire.
• Strong computer skills.
• Travel throughout assigned territory.
• Associate degree in business, real estate, engineering, paralegal or related field OR high school diploma and 2 years' experience in the acquisition of real estate and right of way or related field.
• 4 years' experience in the acquisition of real estate or right of way procurement, surveying, title research or related type of work. This is in addition to any experience listed above.
• Driver license and Notary Commission
• Physical demand level is Sedentary
• Travel in assigned territory.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Capable of walking long distances and or climbing steep terrain.
• Capable of utilizing all distribution electronic mapping and easement imaging systems.
• Strong computer skills.
• Travel throughout assigned territory.
• Associate's degree in business, real estate or related field with a minimum of four years of experience in real estate, contracts or business accounting; OR, High School diploma/GED and a minimum of six (6) years of experience, in business, real estate, contracts or planning, construction or maintenance of electric systems.
• Physical demand level is Sedentary
• Travel in assigned territory.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Capable of walking long distances and or climbing steep terrain.
• Capable of utilizing all distribution electronic mapping and easement imaging systems.
• Strong computer skills.
• Travel throughout assigned territory.

Responsibilities

• Under close supervision negotiates with land owners (or their designees) for the acquisition of rights relative to the construction, reconstruction, enlargement or maintenance of electric distribution facilities.
• With direction from a supervisor, settle damage claims with land owners (or their designees) relative to property damage caused or created by AEP during the construction, reconstruction, enlargement, maintenance or removal of distribution facilities.
• With the advice of a supervisor, search courthouse and other records as may be available to determine present property ownership(s) and the extent of interests therein.
• Under close supervision, draft documents for rights of entry, damage claims, contracts, easements, licenses, leases, permits, options to purchase and other documents as may be necessary to acquire adequate rights for AEP's electric distribution facilities.
• With the advice of a supervisor, assist in providing functional support to other AEP Business Units in regard to questions and procedures in the acquisition of land and land rights.
• Interface and cooperate with other AEP departments to resolve challenges impacting ROW procurement and schedules; maintain right of way and property records.
• Develop and maintain favorable relationships with the general public, landowners, federal, state and local government agencies.
• Promote, support and enforce safety practices to safeguard employees, the general public and AEP equipment.
• Be proactive in responding to customer inquiries and complaints as they relate to company distribution right of way activities.
• Handle complicated negotiations with landowners (or their designees) for the acquisition of rights relative to the construction, reconstruction, enlargement or maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities and supervise contract agents as required.
• Settle complicated damage claims with landowners (or their designees) relative to property damage caused or created by AEP during the construction, reconstruction, enlargement, maintenance or removal of transmission and/or distribution facilities and supervise contract agents as required.
• Search courthouse and other records as may be available to determine present property ownership(s) and the extent of interests therein.
• Remain knowledgeable in real estate values and accepted real estate appraisal practices; advise and assist the Right of Way Supervisor in establishing a range of fair market values to be used in the acquisition of land and land rights.
• Draft and/or supervise the preparation of documents for rights of entry, damage claims, contracts, easements, licenses, leases, permits, options to purchase and other documents as may be necessary to acquire adequate rights for AEP's electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.
• Assist the ROW Supervisor in providing functional support to other AEP Business Units in regard to questions and procedures in the acquisition of land and land rights.
• Act as a witness and assist in the selection of witnesses and commissioners in connection with condemnation and/or other court actions involving electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.
• Maintain property owner files, maps, drawings, exhibits and detailed progress reports.
• Maintain property owner files, maps, drawings, exhibits and progress reports.
• Administrator of applicable ROW applications and document systems.
• Support ROW Agents in maintaining encroachment database.
• Research property ownership and easements.
• Assist in searching courthouse and other records as may be available to determine present property ownership(s) and the extent of those interests.
• Respond to customer inquiries relating to AEP easements and other landowner related documents.
• Process payment of invoices through the Company's accounting and recordkeeping systems.
• Support ROW Agents in drafting documents for rights of entry, damage claims, contracts, easements, licenses, leases, releases, permits, options to purchase, and other documents as may be necessary to acquire adequate rights for AEP's electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.
• Assist in providing functional support to other AEP business units in regard to questions and procedures in the acquisition of land and land rights.
• Maintain lease payments, process lease payments, and provide information for monthly reports and annual lease budget.
• Assist in preparing and maintaining a procedures manual for use by department and others, as needed.
• Prepare and issue monthly project status reports for establishing required metrics for benchmarks, as needed.
• Assist ROW Agents in settlement of damage claims with land owners (or their designees) relative to property damage caused or created by AEP during the construction, reconstruction, enlargement, maintenance or removal of transmission and/or distribution facilities, as required.
• Provide assistance to ROW Agents in negotiations with land owners (or their designees) for the acquisition of rights relative to the construction, reconstruction, enlargement or maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.

Benefits

• In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees