Land Rights Agent: Entry to Principal Levels

Xcel Energy Inc; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental and Vision Insurance

Pension / 401(k)

Paid Time Off

Flexible work options

Job summary

Xcel Energy Inc. in Denver is seeking a Land Rights professional to advance siting projects and manage complex land rights tasks for major energy facilities.

You will lead negotiations, prepare permit applications, and collaborate with engineering, legal, and regulatory teams to minimize environmental impacts while balancing stakeholder interests. This hybrid role offers growth and a clear career path across Associate to Principal levels with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in real estate, land use planning, management or business.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and site selection for major energy facilities and transmission lines.
• Negotiate land rights terms with landowners and manage easements, leases and related documents.
• Prepare permit applications and negotiate with federal, state and local agencies for approvals to construct energy facilities.
• Represent the company in regulatory hearings, provide testimony and maintain relationships with authorities.
• Support budgets, schedules and cross-functional teams on siting projects.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in real estate, land use planning, management or business

Job description

Xcel Energy(NASDAQ:XEL)is a leading energy providerand Fortune 500company,dedicated toserving millionsofelectricity andnaturalgascustomersacross eight states:Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota,New Mexicoand Texas.We make energy work better forourcustomers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar-delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient,and sustainable energy. Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.

Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.

Position Summary

This position has considerable latitude for decisions relating to the need for permits, negotiate acceptable permit conditions and determine appropriate measures to minimize environmental impacts. Assignments are often self-initiated. Possess expert knowledge of land rights principles and regulations and applies them in creative and effective ways to a broad range of complex assignments. Must demonstrate exceptional diplomacy skills and judgment to balance competing objectives. Leads sensitive negotiations and settlements and provides management with sound analytic analyses to support compensation decision-making. Proven track record in successfully managing project schedules and budgets.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead planning, route alternatives analysis, site selection, and management of sites and corridors for major energy facilities, including transmission lines and generation plants (thermal, wind, solar, biomass, hydro). Interact with, and represent S&LR's interests, on multi-disciplinary internal project teams, involving engineering, legal, regulatory and project management staff.
• Negotiate with landowners and their legal representatives for the acquisition and management of land rights for major energy facilities, up to and including the process of condemnation. Highly proficient in preparing and administering land rights instruments including easements, leases, deeds, licenses and performing abstracting and other related courthouse searches to facilitate the acquisition and disposition of property rights.
• Lead preparation of applications and negotiate for and obtain applicable permits from federal, state and local government agencies for approvals to construct major energy facilities. These include necessary land use and environmental permits from local, state and federal government jurisdictions.
• Represent the company before federal, state and local regulatory and land management agencies, boards, planning commissions and councils. Prepare project descriptions and summaries, respond to data requests and make presentations to the governing jurisdictions in public hearings to obtain approval for projects. Act as primary spokesperson on all land rights related activities for the project. Act as expert witness in preparing and presenting written and oral testimony in state certification proceedings (CON, CPCN, CCN) and other regulatory proceedings.
• Maintain a high level of technical knowledge and understanding of applicable federal, state and local land rights laws, codes, ordinances and regulations. Implement effective negotiating strategies and techniques in order to secure land rights at a fair and equitable cost. Serve as technical resource and advisor to other Siting & Land Rights Staff.
• Administers and consults with other agents and team members on complex project issues regarding land rights and siting issues. Assists others in developing, refining and implementing the strategic goals and objectives of Xcel Energy. Contributes to process teams concerning budget and regulatory compliance.
• Provides assistance to other internal Xcel Energy departments and subsidiaries involving land rights management and acquisition, valuation, scheduling and cost estimates for siting and land rights activities.
• Prepares requests for proposals, contract agreements, and project estimates for projects. Leads selection of consultants and contractors. Manages consultants on major projects. Leads team for condemnation proceedings and provides testimony in related court cases.

**THIS POSITION IS ABLE TO BE HIRED AT ANY OF THE LEVELS BELOW*

Associate Land Rights Agent - ($64,100 to $90,966.66)

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in real estate, land use planning, management or business. A combination of relevant education and experience totaling 4 years may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Land Rights Agent - ($73,700 to $104,633.33)

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in real estate, land use planning, management or business (a combination of relevant education and experience totaling 4 years may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement)
• 2 years of increasingly complex siting, acquisition and/or land rights management experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Senior Land Rights Agent - ($84,900 to $120,566.66)

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in real estate, land use planning, management or business. A combination of relevant education and experience totaling 4 years may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
• Minimum of 5 years of increasingly complex siting, acquisition and/or land rights management experience.
• Demonstrated project management skills.

Principal Land Rights Agent - ($97,600 to $138,600)

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in real estate, land use planning, management or business. A combination of relevant education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
• Minimum 8 years of increasingly complex siting, acquisition and/or land rights management experience.
• Experience with state and federal permit and/or acquisition activities.
• Demonstrated skills in technical writing, verbal communications, negotiations and project management skills.
• Valid driver's license is required.

Preferred Characteristics - All Levels

• Previous experience in high pressure or medium pressure or transmission utility gas
• SR/WA designation or advanced degree a plus.
• Previous project management experience

Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.

Our Values

Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe

Our Employee Commitments

• Work that makes a difference
• A team you can count of
• Opportunities to grow
• Rewards that help you thrive

Xcel Energy provides jobapplicantsreasonable accommodations for disabilitiesthroughout the application process. If youare in need ofanaccommodationto complete the Applicant Accommodation RequestForm.

Non-BargainingThe anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $64,100.00 to $138,600.00 per yearThis position is eligible for the following benefits:

• Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation.You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.