Right-of-way Specialist 1

Gannett Fleming; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) savings plan

PTO accrual

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Incentive compensation

Job summary

GFT is seeking a Right of Way Specialist 1 to join our Transportation Practice in Cleveland, OH. This entry-level role follows a hybrid work model with regular in-office attendance at our Cleveland office.

You will support public and private projects through right of way acquisition and relocation programs, working with property owners, engineers, attorneys, and title abstractors to navigate complex transactions and ensure clear titles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field or equivalent experience.
• 0–3 years of experience in right‑of‑way acquisition, utilities, and/or relocation.
• Basic knowledge of R/W acquisition, USPAP, Uniform Relocation Act, and eminent domain proceedings preferred.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, TEAMS, PowerPoint).
• Highly organized, excellent communicator, strong negotiation skills, self‑motivated, and a team player.
• Ability to work with a team of right of way agents, engineers, attorneys, and title abstractors.

Responsibilities

• Keep Right of Way Manager informed with regular updates and seek guidance as needed.
• Research deeds, reconveyances, agreements, and other documents related to property rights.
• Perform in-depth title research and/or review title reports and curative work to resolve issues.
• Collaborate with project engineers and/or managers to review project plans and land exhibits.
• Ensure all project records are organized and stored and compliant with procedures and laws.
• Learn negotiations to acquire rights of way through fee and/or easement purchases, dedication, donation, and condemnation.
• Explain project and property needs based on legal descriptions, mapping, and valuations.
• Participate in status meetings and provide regular updates in logs and reports.
• May work on encroachments into fee and easement properties.
• Utilize advanced technology to resolve challenges in the acquisition process.
• Progress toward becoming prequalified with the State of Ohio, DOT, by completing training courses.

Skills

MS Office proficiency

Negotiation skills

Verbal & written communication

Team collaboration

Driver's License

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

What You Will Do:

GFT is seeking a Right of Way Specialist 1 to join our Transportation Practice in Cleveland, OH! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Cleveland office.

Working on the Transportation team at GFT offers the opportunity to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity. Whether working on highways and bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient, sustainable design and construction, delivering innovative solutions that address the complexities of modern, multimodal roadway systems and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable travel for all. Explore some of our signature Transportation projects here.

What you'll be challenged to do:

The Right of Way Specialist 1 is an entry-level position, which will play a pivotal role in supporting public and private projects through right of way acquisition and relocation programs. The chosen person will work closely with individuals and businesses, helping them navigate the complexities of property transactions affected by these projects. This role offers opportunities for career development, allowing this individual to expand their skillset and work with a team of driven, like‑minded professionals.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Keep Right of Way Manager informed with regular updates and seek guidance as needed.
• Research deeds, reconveyances, agreements, and other documents related to property rights, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Perform in-depth title research and/or review title reports and curative work to resolve any issues that may arise, ensuring clear and marketable titles.
• Collaborate with project engineers and/or managers to review project plans, engineering drawings, and land exhibits.
• Ensure all project records, notes, contact logs, and documents are properly organized and stored, and that all actions comply with relevant procedures, laws and regulations.
• Learn negotiations to acquire rights of way through various methods, including fee and/or easement purchases, dedication/donation, and condemnation, working with property owners, corporations, lease‑hold tenants, governmental entities, and legal representatives.
• Clearly explain project and property needs and impacts based on legal descriptions, mapping, and valuations and/or appraisals.
• Participate in status meetings and provide regular updates in contact logs and project status reports.
• May work on various matters pertaining to encroachments into fee and easement properties.
• Utilize advanced technology and practices to resolve challenges throughout the acquisition process.
• Make progress toward becoming prequalified with the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation, by attending and successfully completing applicable training courses.

What you will bring to our firm:

• Bachelor's degree in business or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 0‑3 years of experience in right‑of‑way acquisition, utilities, and/or relocation.
• Basic knowledge of R/W acquisition and/or engineering, USPAP, and familiarity with the Uniform Relocation Act and eminent domain proceedings preferred.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, TEAMS, PowerPoint).
• Highly organized, excellent communicator (verbal and in writing), strong negotiation skills, self‑motivated, and a positive team player.
• Ability to work with a team of right of way agents, engineers, attorneys, and title abstractors and coordinate on the same project or multiple projects.

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $45,000 - $67,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits:

• Hybrid (in‑person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax‑deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid‑time‑off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview:

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships - that's why we're the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry's brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century's experience, together we're building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans' status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property of GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location: Cleveland, OH
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time

Applicants in the County of Los Angeles
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Applicants in the City of San Francisco
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Applicants in the State of California
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.