Right of Way Agent Associate-Right of Way Agent Senior

American Electric Power•Wooster, OH

5d•$63,496 - $109,543

About The Position

Responsible for acquiring land rights, licenses, leases, permits, and other documents needed to construct, operate, and maintain electric transmission and distribution facilities. The role covers property rights across extensive facilities and land holdings and may direct contractor right-of-way personnel during major acquisition efforts. This posting includes multiple grade levels—Right of Way Agent Associate, Right of Way Agent, and Right of Way Agent Senior—with higher levels requiring increased education, skills, or experience. The position negotiates with landowners, settles damage claims, researches property ownership and interests, and assists in establishing fair market value ranges. It prepares or oversees preparation of rights-of-entry and other acquisition documents, supports other AEP business units, participates in condemnation or other court actions as a witness or in selecting witnesses and commissioners, and maintains property-owner files, maps, drawings, exhibits, and progress reports. Travel is required within the assigned territory.

Requirements

Driver license and Notary Commission.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong computer skills.
Ability to use distribution electronic mapping and easement imaging systems.
Ability to walk long distances or climb steep terrain.
Associate degree in business, real estate, engineering, paralegal studies, or a related field, or a high school diploma plus applicable experience, with requirements varying by grade level.
Right of Way Agent Associate: Associate degree in a listed or related field, or high school diploma and 1 year of experience in right-of-way procurement, surveying, title research, or related fields.
Right of Way Agent: Associate degree in a listed or related field, or high school diploma and 2 years of experience in acquisition of real estate and right of way or a related field; additionally, 4 years of experience in real estate acquisition, right-of-way procurement, surveying, title research, or related work.
Right of Way Agent Senior: Associate degree in a listed or related field, or high school diploma and 2 years of experience in right-of-way procurement, surveying, title research, or related fields; additionally, 6 years of experience in real estate acquisition, right-of-way procurement, surveying, title research, or related work.

Responsibilities

Negotiate with landowners or their designees to acquire rights for construction, reconstruction, enlargement, or maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities; supervise contract agents as required.
Settle landowner damage claims related to construction, reconstruction, enlargement, maintenance, or removal of transmission and/or distribution facilities; supervise contract agents as required.
Search courthouse and other available records to determine property ownership and the extent of ownership interests.
Remain knowledgeable about real estate values and accepted appraisal practices, and advise and assist the Right of Way Supervisor in establishing fair market value ranges for land and land rights.
Draft or supervise preparation of rights-of-entry, damage claims, contracts, easements, licenses, leases, permits, options to purchase, and other documents needed to acquire rights for AEP facilities.
Assist the ROW Supervisor by providing functional support to other AEP business units on land and land-rights acquisition questions and procedures.
Act as a witness and assist with selection of witnesses and commissioners for condemnation and other court actions involving electric facilities.
Maintain property-owner files, maps, drawings, exhibits, and detailed progress reports.
Travel within the assigned territory.