Abstractor/Title Specialist

JCG Land Services; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

JCG Land Services in Ames, IA, is seeking a Real Estate Title Specialist/Abstractor to perform title research, document review, and due diligence to support real estate acquisitions and project management. The ideal candidate will have 3+ years in title research, be detail-oriented, and able to interpret legal descriptions and records.

This is an office-based role requiring daily commuting to the Ames corporate office.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of title research or abstracting experience.
• Experience at a title company, abstract company, or land services firm.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.

Responsibilities

• Conduct title searches and title research using online databases and courthouse records
• Review and analyze title reports, deeds, easements, and legal descriptions
• Verify property ownership, liens, and encumbrances
• Interpret deeds, easements, leases, and right-of-way documents
• Plot metes and bounds legal descriptions
• Coordinate with title companies, abstractors, and project teams
• Perform due diligence for real estate and land acquisition projects
• Ensure documents are properly executed, notarized, and recorded
• Maintain strict confidentiality of legal and client information

Skills

Detail-oriented

Title research

Due diligence

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Company Description:

JCG Land Services is an employee-owned real estate and right-of-way organization that has been operating since 1990. The company maintains a permanent staff and a network of affiliates who provide multi-disciplinary services, including acquisition, real estate, title, legal, appraisal, and surveying expertise. JCG is a leader in delivering turn-key right-of-way and land acquisition solutions, supporting clients through the full acquisition phase for public improvement projects. Over nearly twenty-five years, the company has managed thousands of residential, commercial, and industrial parcels for public agencies across Iowa and multiple Midwestern states. JCG focuses on delivering high-quality, efficient services and practical solutions for a broad range of land and right-of-way needs.

Where property meets precision — join us as a Real Estate Title Specialist/Abstractor!

JCG Land Services is looking for a detail-oriented individual with experience digging into property records and title research while performing real estate due diligence. In this role, you will ensure accurate property ownership verification and legal documentation to support real estate acquisition and project management efforts.

If you have experience reviewing deeds, easements, legal descriptions, and title reports, and enjoy working with complex property records, we encourage you to apply.

Company Overview:

JCG is a professional services firm specializing in real estate acquisition and project management. We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Title Specialist to support our project teams with accurate title research and file preparation.

Job Summary:

The Real Estate Title Specialist/Abstractor plays a critical role in ensuring the success of our projects by performing title research, document review, and due diligence tasks. This position collaborates with Project Managers and Land Acquisition Specialists to verify property records and legal documentation. The ideal candidate must be able to commute to the corporate office in Ames, Iowa on a daily basis. This position is not intended to be remote.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct title searches and title research using online databases and courthouse records
• Review and analyze title reports, land records, deeds, easements, and legal descriptions
• Verify property ownership, liens, and encumbrances
• Interpret deeds, easements, leases, and right-of-way documents
• Plot metes and bounds legal descriptions
• Coordinate with title companies, abstractors, and project teams
• Perform due diligence for real estate and land acquisition projects
• Ensure documents are properly executed, notarized, and recorded
• Maintain strict confidentiality of legal and client information

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in title research or abstracting
• Experience working at a title company, abstract company, or land services firm
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat
• Ability to interpret legal property descriptions and land records

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree
• Experience with right-of-way title research, land acquisition, or real estate development projects

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Office-based environment with standard equipment
• Primarily sedentary with occasional lifting to 50 lbs
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation needed
• Ability to handle confidential legal documentation
• Security clearance may be required for some clients

Why Join Us?

• Collaborative and supportive team environment
• Meaningful work supporting real estate and infrastructure projects
• Competitive compensation and work-life balance