Transmission Right of Way Agent- Senior-Principal-Staff

American Electric Power•New Albany, OH

2d•$87,633 - $151,133•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 handling complicated negotiations with landowners, settling damage claims, researching property ownership, and preparing legal documents for land rights acquisition. The agent will also provide functional support to other AEP Business Units, maintain property owner files and reports, and follow TROW estimate guidelines. Additionally, the role includes completing ROW estimates, managing project scope, schedule, and budget, and acting as a liaison or project manager with vendor companies. Project oversight, tracking quality, milestones, and performance, monitoring closeout processes, and approving vouchers are also key responsibilities. The agent may act as a witness in court actions and represent Transmission Right-of-way in internal and external forums, while supporting and ensuring adherence to the AEP System Safety Process.

Requirements

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.
Driver license and Notary Commission.
Associates of Science degree is required plus seven (7) years' related experience; OR Bachelor of Science degree is preferred plus five (5) years' related experience.
Depending on education, five to seven (5-7) or more years of experience including work in these areas: business, management, real estate, law, electric transmission and/or distribution right-of-way with a minimum of two to three (2-3) years of experience in the acquisition of right-of-way or real estate activities and/or possess a professional certificate (i.e., IR/WA, SR/WA, PMP, etc).
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.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
Demonstrate skills in conflict management and organizational problem-solving.
Ability to convey vision, strategy or other complex information effectively with the ability to influence and drive results.
Support and demonstrate ability to provide the organization of project activities, delegate project task assignments, confidently set staff requirements and expectations to manage deliverables and hold staff accountable.
Demonstrate willingness to provide constructive feedback to staff.
This position consults with and/or advises the TROW Supervisor, TROW Manager and/or Project Managers on matters pertaining to the policies and procedures governing the acquisition of land and land rights.
Develop skills in and provide effective communication that is clear, direct, concise, and professional, including effective listening, with all stakeholders including team members, sponsors, management and senior management.
Possess excellent written communication, presentation and organizational skills with a strong proficiency working with Microsoft Office products (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and right-of-way/land management databases (i.e., geoAMPS or other land management databases) or other equivalent databases.
The individual filling this position will be required to travel within the AEP Transmission service territory; however, on rare occasions they may be assigned to special projects and travel outside the transmission service territory.
Must be able to work outside normal business hours to accommodate project schedules.
Must have a valid driver’s license issued by the appropriate State.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a leadership position and/or project management a plus.
Professional licenses and memberships encouraged

Responsibilities

Handle complicated negotiations with landowners (or their designees) for the acquisition of land rights relative to the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.
Settle damage claims with property owners (or their designees) relative to property damage caused or created by AEP, or its contractors, during the construction, reconstruction, maintenance or removal of transmission and/or distribution facilities.
Search courthouses and other records as may be available to determine present property ownership(s) and the extent of interests therein.
Review and interpret legal documents, property surveys, legal descriptions, surveying drawings, appraisals, and reports.
Prepare approved legal documents for the acquisition of land rights related to the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.
Provide functional support to other AEP Business Units in regard to questions and procedures in the acquisition of land rights.
Maintain property owner files, maps, drawings, exhibits and detailed progress reports within Right-of-Way Stakeholder Information system (ROWSi).
Follow TROW estimate guidelines and practices for the acquisition of land rights for the acquisition of land rights relative to the construction, reconstruction, enlargement or maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.
Complete ROW estimate & scope for TROW Projects, and manage, develop, review and coordinate right-of-way project scope, schedule, budget related to multiple right-of-way projects or program of projects.
Follow TROW Outsourcing Technical Guidelines for the outsourcing of acquisition of land rights related to the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.
Act as a liaison or project manager with vendor companies performing services related to the acquisition of land rights for the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.
Responsible for project oversight in reviewing and supervising vendor companies on ROW Projects to ensure adherence to project schedules and budget, as well as project reporting.
Review periodic status and cost of managed right-of-way projects.
Track the project quality, milestones and performance against annual work plans.
Monitor the closeout process and establish any lessons learned on TROW projects and recommend process improvements as appropriate.
Approve vouchers for payments incurred in the acquisition of land rights involving the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.
Act as a witness and assist in the selection of witnesses and commissioners in connection with condemnation and/or other court actions involving the acquisition of land rights or other court actions which may result from the construction, reconstruction or maintenance for electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.
Represent Transmission right-of-way in internal process improvement teams and initiatives as well as external industry forums, where required.
Support and hold employees and contractors accountable for the AEP System Safety Process, ensuring a safe working environment focused on Zero Harm.