Senior Right of Way Agent

Explorer Pipeline; Bixby (OK); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Explorer Pipeline is seeking a qualified right of way professional to manage land services for pipeline projects in Oklahoma. You will coordinate with landowners, agencies, and internal teams to advance route selection and permitting, ensuring compliance with applicable laws.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of right of way experience, with preference for a law degree or MBA. Strong negotiation, documentation, and stakeholder engagement skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years' right of way/land services experience, or equivalent.
• Law degree or MBA preferred.
• Experience with permits, deeds, licenses and easements.

Responsibilities

• Complies with DOT, OSHA, EPA rules and reports hazards.
• Assists in establishing proposed route for pipeline projects.
• Estimates right of way costs and acquisition timelines.
• Prepares landowner line lists and title certificates.
• Obtains permission to survey from landowners.
• Negotiates right of way easements, deeds, permits and licenses.
• Reviews contracts and maintains right of way records.
• Supports government agencies and industry meetings on land matters.

Skills

Right of way negotiation

Land services experience

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field

Law degree or MBA preferred

Tools

GIS software

Word processing

Land records research

Job description

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Complies with DOT and OSHA health, safety and environmental requirements and follows safety philosophy and procedures developed by the Company including: applicable environmental, health and safety rules, procedures, and accepted safe work practices, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and safety systems, and the reporting of workplace hazards and injury or illness arising from workplace activities; observes the workplace to identify conditions or behaviors that should be corrected and takes appropriate action.
• Assists in establishing proposed route(s) for pipeline project(s), including trunk line projects, new connections, and custody delivery points.
• Estimates right of way costs and establishes acquisition timelines.
• Develops a landowner line list from tax roll information and internal mapping system and prepares limited title certificates from research data obtained from public land records.
• Obtains permission to survey from landowners and tenants; identifies issues for proposed routes; identifies necessary agency/entity permits and generation of plats, maps, and data required to acquire right of way.
• Prepares and files permit applications required by affected agencies/entities.
• Evaluates right of way requirements, zoning restrictions, and related documents; negotiates with management and right of way owners new or renewed right of way easements, deeds, permits, and licenses and drafts related documents representing the Company's position; resolves other aspects of right of way encroachment.
• Assists in the preparation of condemnation files and supports real property related litigation.
• Negotiates the sale of company property and prepares documents to support the sale; negotiates and administers right of way and related rental payments.
• Reviews and approves right of way, leases, licenses, and other real property contracts and maintains right of way files and records.
• Documents right of way damages incurred during construction and recommends resolution of all right of way damages with contractor(s) and owners/tenants.
• Assists with determining the appraised value of rights of way and engages in acquisition negotiations and coordinates the amount and method of payment for rights of way and other landowner related payments within Company policy guidelines.
• Supports Engineering and Operations regarding new projects, relocations, right of way, and landowner matters.
• Supports contractor right of way agents.
• Assists with representing the Company before governmental agencies and at industry meetings, regarding real property, and right of way matters.
• Provides guidance and training to other personnel on right of way, landowner, and related matters.

REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor's degree in business administration or related technical field and a minimum of five (5) years' experience working with right of way/land services programs, or equivalent combination of education and experience. A law degree or master's degree in business administration is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to actively engage in safe behavior and understand and follow the principles and methods related to pipeline and workplace safety as established by the Company.
• Knowledge of emergency and safety procedures, policies, procedures, equipment operating parameters, and all applicable DOT, EPA, FERC, DHS, and OSHA requirements.
• Ability to utilize computer hardware and word processing and GIS software to research, manage, record, and evaluate company information.
• Well-developed verbal communication skills are needed to represent the company before government agencies, industry groups, and landowners. Also required during negotiations with landowners, claimants, and other external parties.
• Well-developed written communication skills are required to draft contracts, agreements, leases, licenses, and other right of way documents to accurately represent the Company's position.
• Strong knowledge of right of way agreements, leases, licenses, and other legal contracts.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills for highly complex issues.
• Well-developed leadership skills to advance and promote the Company's right of way program.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills are required in representing the Company to governmental agencies and other external parties.
• Frequent internal contacts are required with the leadership team, engineering staff, area supervisors, drafters, business development, and the accounting staff to provide advice and to gather information to support the Company's position.
• Frequent external contacts are required with outside counsel in support of company litigation, landowners in negotiation of claims or right of way, professional service firms, governmental agencies, or regulatory bodies in representing the Company's position on various issues.
• Well demonstrated ability to promote diversity through the management of daily activities and foster diversity of thought with team members.
• Ability to effectively work and cooperate with supervisors, co-workers, and vendors.
• Ability to follow corporate policies and the directions of the VP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary.
• Ability to refrain from causing or contributing to disruption in the workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.