Right of Way Agent, Associate - Right of Way Agent, Sr.

American Electric Power•Gahanna, OH

About The Position

Responsible for the acquisition land rights, licenses, leases, permits and other documents necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of electric distribution lines. Responsible for the acquisition of rights required by AEP for the construction, operation and maintenance of electric distribution facilities. This responsibility encompasses many thousand miles of facilities and many acres of land owned involving many thousand dollars investment by AEP. Direct the efforts of any contractor right of way personnel during major acquisition efforts.

Requirements

Associate degree in business, real estate, engineering, paralegal or related field OR High school diploma and 1 years’ experience in right of way procurement, surveying, title research, or related fields. Driver license.
Associate degree in business, real estate, engineering, paralegal or related field and 2 years’ experience in right of way procurement, surveying, title research, or related fields. OR High school diploma and 4 years’ experience in right of way procurement, surveying, title research, or related fields. Driver license and Notary Commission
Associate’s degree in business, engineering, paralegal, real estate or related field OR High school diploma and 2 years' experience in right of way procurement, surveying, title research or related fields. 6 years’ experience in 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.

Responsibilities

Handle complex negotiations with land owners (or their designees) for the acquisition of rights relative to the construction, reconstruction, enlargement or maintenance of electric distribution facilities.
Settle complex 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.
Search courthouse and other records as may be available to determine present property ownership(s) and the extent of interests therein.
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.
Remain knowledgeable in real estate values and accepted real estate appraisal practices; advise and assist the Right of Way Leading establishing a range of fair market values to be used in the acquisition of land rights.
Provide functional support to other AEP Distribution Business Units in regard to questions and procedures in the acquisition 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 distribution facilities.
Assist and confer with legal counsel in the preparation of condemnation cases and/or other court actions involving land rights matters, together with law suits which may result from the construction, operation or maintenance of AEP's electric distribution facilities; appear as a witness in court actions as required.
Interface and cooperate with other AEP departments within assigned territory to resolve challenges impacting ROW procurement and schedules; maintain right of way and property records including maintaining files, maps, exhibits and reports as requested.
Promote, support and enforce safety practices to safeguard employees, the general public and AEP equipment.
Promote, coordinate and support all efforts to acquire all distribution easement requirements in conjunction with the Distribution Engineering organizations.