Transmission Right of Way Agent Staff -Staff Senior

American Electric Power•New Albany, OH

5d•$116,255 - $177,503•Onsite

About The Position

The Transmission Right of Way (TROW) Agent is responsible for the acquisition of land rights necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities. This role involves managing, developing, reviewing, and coordinating right-of-way project plans, schedules, budgets, tools, and staff. The agent ensures corporate auditing requirements are met, acts as an expert witness in legal proceedings, approves vouchers for expenses, and monitors project quality, timeliness, and performance. For the Senior role, this includes serving as the senior technical lead, managing complex projects, and advising on fair market values.

Requirements

Associate degree in an applicable field is required plus eight (8) years of related experience; OR, bachelor’s degree in an applicable field is preferred with six (6) years of related experience (Staff SG9).
Associate degree in an applicable field is required plus nine (9) years of related experience; OR, bachelor's degree in an applicable field is preferred with seven (7) years of related experience (Staff Senior SG10).
Depending on education and years of related experience in business, management, real estate, electric transmission And/or distribution right-of-way or real estate activities and/or possess a professional certificate (i.e., IR/WA, SR/WA, PMP, etc) (Staff SG9).
Depending on education and a minimum of seven (7) years of related experience in business, management, real estate, electric transmission and/or distribution right-of-way or real estate activities and/or possess a professional certificate (i.e., IR/WA, SR/WA, PMP, etc) (Staff Senior SG10).
Extensive knowledge of right of way for electric transmission lines and substations required.
Must possess a valid driver’s license, be eligible to rent a vehicle, and be able to drive up to 3–6 hours for site visits, landowner meetings, open houses, and stakeholder meetings.
The position involves fieldwork requiring adherence to safety procedures and the ability to walk or hike up to one to three miles as needed.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a leadership position and/or project management a plus (Staff SG9).
Professional licenses and memberships encouraged (Staff SG9).
Professional licenses and memberships is desired (Staff Senior SG10).

Responsibilities

Manage, develop, review and coordinate right-of-way project plan, schedule, budget, tools, and staff related to portfolio of right-of-way projects.
Ensure corporate auditing requirements around estimating practices, escrow adherence and other cost expenditures are being followed.
Act as an expert witness, assist and confer with legal counsel, asset management and project managers in the selection of witnesses and commissioners in connection with condemnation and/or other court actions involving electric transmission and/or distribution facilities, together with lawsuits which may result from the construction, operation, maintenance or removal of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.
Approve vouchers for payments of expenses incurred in the acquisition of land and land rights involving electric transmission and/or distribution facilities such as but not limited to contractual obligations for the purchase of options, easements damage claims settlement, attorney fees, outside appraisal services and supplier invoices.
Review periodic status and cost of managed right-of-way projects.
Track the project quality, timeliness and performance against annual work plans.
Monitor the closeout process and review lessons learned for right-of-way projects and recommend process improvements as appropriate.
Serve as the senior technical lead for right of way (ROW) Activities.
Serve as the Project Lead for complex and special projects, including Joint Ventures and EHV lines.
Manage, develop, review, and coordinate ROW project plans, schedules, budgets, and tools across multiple projects or programs.
Maintain knowledge in real estate values and accepted real estate appraisal practices; advise and assist the TROW Manager in establishing a range of fair market values to be used in the acquisition of land and land rights.
Ensure compliance with TROW estimating guidelines and practices.
Attend trials throughout Ohio Counties and testify on behalf of AEP Transmission.
Demonstrate clear, direct, concise, and professional communication, including effective listening, with all stakeholders, including team members, sponsors, and senior leadership.
Demonstrate strong written, organizational, presentation, oral communication, and time management skills, including the ability to present complex right of way issues to senior leadership.
Manage a portfolio of projects.
Demonstrated leadership skills, including mentoring and providing guidance to staff.
Organize project activities, delegate tasks, set clear expectations, manage deliverables, and provide constructive feedback.