ROW/Real Estate Specialist

Position Summary

The ROW/Real Estate Specialist facilitates CoServ's service agreements and right-of-way matters. The position works closely with project managers, legal counsel, property owners and other stakeholders to prepare, organize and manage document activities concerning easement encroachments, easements, access permits or agreements and service contracts.

Responsibilities

Primary Position Responsibilities

• Utilizes processes for the consistent creation, application, acquisition, and documentation of easement encroachments, easements and service contracts.
• Makes recommendations regarding rights-of-way, easements, service contracts, platting, encroachments, and abandoning easements.
• Communicates with property owners or their counsel for easements, service contracts, and rights-of-way.
• Works with internal teams such as Engineering, Operations, and Project Management to provide the necessary easements and or consents needed for existing or planned facilities.
• Coordinates with governing agencies as required in the performance of duties.
• Determines CoServ's rights pursuant to existing easements and other instruments including service contracts.
• Reviews and processes requests to use CoServ right of way for permitted encroachments and easements for third party uses such as utility crossings, parking, road crossings, pipeline crossing and other uses, preparing appropriate document for review and approval by work groups with execution by CoServ management.
• Works with company and customer legal counsel to draft and prepare documents such as easements, releases, exclusions, licenses, service contracts, permits, and encroachments.
• Complies with established CoServ safety and operating rules, procedures and guidelines including reporting unsafe practices to a supervisor.
• Complies with established CoServ Information Security Handbook, policies, procedures, and guidelines including reporting suspected information security incidents to Tech Support.

Secondary Position Responsibilities

• Researches historical records for real estate matters as necessary.
• Communicates with CoServ staff providing guidance and assistance on issues concerning easement and service agreement issues.
• Verifies data used across multiple platforms and reports for consistency and accuracy including the updating of GIS database to show adds, removals and boundary changes.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Supports expert witness testimony at eminent domain hearings and trials.
• Attends CoServ University training as required.
• Performs other duties and activities as directed.

Position Requirements

• High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalency.
• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of experience related to the role,
  • Or seven (7) years of experience related to the role in lieu of education requirements,
  • Or five (5) years of experience related to the role and equivalent IRWA Right-of-Way Agent (RWA) coursework in lieu of education requirements

Education, Experience, and Certifications Preferred

• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in an electric utility engineering and/or operations organization with six (6) years of real estate experience.
• Right of Way Professional (RWP) Designation.
• International Right of Way Association membership OR Licensed Texas Real Estate Agent.
• Texas Notary Public.

Skills and Abilities Required 

• Possesses excellent writing and oral communication skills demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills through interface with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manages competing priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals.
• With minimal supervision, ability to work efficiently, plan, and schedule own work.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and be proficient with technical details.
• Ability to concentrate and complete procedures in an error free manner.
• Demonstrates a high level of independent judgment and responsibility.
• Understands and carries out complex oral and written instructions.

Skills and Abilities Preferred 

• Paralegal skills and working knowledge of real estate law.
• Knowledge of RUS engineering design and specifications for distribution, transmission, and substations.
• Understands and follows easement exhibits and descriptions, maps, distribution system maps, distribution design books and manuals.
• Effective negotiating and interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge and understanding of CoServ policies and procedures
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of real estate law as well as real estate industry practices, procedures, documents, public real estate records, appraisal techniques.
• Knowledge of regulatory, engineering, and environmental rules and regulations.

Physical Requirements 

• In-office
  • Operates office equipment such as a computer, telephone, fax machine, copier, etc.
  • Indoor, office environment.
  • Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds.
  • Ability to sit for long periods of time.
  • Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, and reaching.

Other Requirements

• Ability to travel, if necessary, for business and training.