Right of Way Specialist

Southern Company • Birmingham, AL

15h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Right-of-Way Specialist represents Alabama Power Company in the management of transmission rights-of-way within a specific geographic area. The open position is in Birmingham, AL. The position will support the Birmingham Transmission Maintenance Center (TMC) area. The Specialist will work with external customers and internal organizations to address all types of right-of-way encroachment issues, and will work closely with the TMC to resolve access and easement rights issues.

Requirements

• Suitable experience in reading easements, deeds and surveys is required.
• Suitable experience in reviewing and drafting construction drawings is required.
• Knowledge of property rights, and a general understanding of transmission, distribution, system operations, and transmission maintenance.
• Ability to build strong relationships at all levels, including with peers and both internal and external customers.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills, as well as strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, project management and problem solving skills, including the ability to work effectively and efficiently within project timelines and budgets.
• Proficiency with a computer, including the ability to use Microsoft Office products and various Transmission application systems.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work in outdoor conditions as necessary.
• Ability to travel throughout the TMC area, as well as occasionally throughout the State, with possible overnight stays.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must exhibit Our Values: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance.
• Must have a strong belief in and commitment to safety and performing tasks safely.

Nice To Haves

• Associates or Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Equivalent work experience in the encroachment field is acceptable.
• Experience in managing utility right-of-way encroachments is preferred.
• Prior experience with a utility company is preferred.
• Transmission line knowledge is preferred.
• Experience using applications involving GIS is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the local contact for Alabama Power with respect to management of transmission rights-of-way in the Birmingham TMC area.
• Review, approve and permit permissible encroachments, and detect, remove, and prevent unauthorized encroachments, in accordance with Alabama Power’s policies and procedures with respect to right-of-way use and encroachments.
• Work closely with the TMC, Construction, and Long Haul Fiber teams to ensure that the Company’s property rights are maintained in such a way to allow for the safe and reliable construction, operation and maintenance of transmission facilities across the TMC area.
• Educate the public on appropriate uses of transmission rights-of-way by proactively building relationships and attending meetings with government entities, developers, community groups and others with interests in real property.
• Review aerial patrol reports and perform inspections in the field to identify and address unpermitted usage of the rights-of-way.
• Meet with internal and external customers about right-of-way use, review and process use requests, and coordinate review and approval from internal organizations as needed.
• Prepare customer correspondence, encroachment agreements and other documentation as needed, and ensure that final designs for acceptable encroachments are in accordance with Company guidelines.
• Review and interpret easements in respect to rights granted, special considerations, and right-of-way restrictions.
• Serve as Transmission’s point of contact for land sales requests that may impact the Transmission organization.
• Prioritize and track projects using a departmental database, and prepare a record documenting approved encroachments and completed projects.
• Assist with storm response within the Southern Company System and assist with off-system restoration efforts as needed.
• Ensure compliance with APC’s environmental and health and safety guidelines.
• Process quitclaims for APC.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Annual incentive awards for eligible employees
• Health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being
• Additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree