Senior Right-of-Way Agent

Gray Hawk Land Solutions; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gray Hawk Land Solutions seeks a Senior Right-of-Way Agent to own the full acquisition lifecycle for large pipeline projects in the Permian Basin. You will conduct title research, contact landowners, negotiate surface use agreements and easements, and finalize executed rights-of-way, all with strong field autonomy and strict documentation.

This role demands building enduring relationships with landowners and agencies, interpreting drawings, and using GIS tools to map deeds.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in right-of-way, negotiating pipeline easements.
• Texas ROW experience required.
• Know surface use agreements, easements, ROW and related laws.
• Ability to conduct title research with no supervision.
• Interpret/redline alignment drawings and plats.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Experience with land-management databases and mapping software.
• Self-starter with minimal supervision.
• Available to start quickly and on-site in Permian Basin.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate surface use agreements and easements; settle damages and secure access.
• Build and maintain relationships with surface owners and local authorities.
• Conduct internal and courthouse title research independently.
• Interpret and redline alignment drawings and property plats.
• Apply proactive landowner outreach standard; active follow-up after first contact.
• Use GIS and mapping to plot deeds and learn client systems.
• Navigate client databases and perform online research.
• De-escalate tense situations and represent the client professionally.
• Document every landowner contact, negotiation, and status in the project DB daily.
• Follow Field Safety Manual and complete needed safety training.

Skills

Negotiation

Title research

Drawings interpretation

GIS mapping

Self-starter

On-site work

Independent work

Landowner liaison

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree or IRWA certification (plus)

Tools

Google Earth

Microsoft Office

Irth Land Management

Job description

Project: A major natural gas pipeline project in the Permian Basin, Texas

Reports to: Project Manager and/or ROW Supervisor

Classification: Full-time

Location: Permian Basin, Texas - on-site; travel across the project area as assigned

Purpose

The Senior Right-of-Way Agent owns the full acquisition lifecycle for assigned projects - from title research and landowner contact through negotiation and executed agreement. Working with significant autonomy in the field, this role secures surface agreements, easements, and rights-of-way while maintaining strong landowner relationships and clean, defensible documentation.

Core Responsibilities

• Negotiate surface use agreements, easements, and pipeline or utility rights-of-way; settle surface damages and secure necessary access to client assets.
• Establish and maintain good relationships with surface owners, local government officials, and agencies.
• Conduct internal and courthouse (external) title research independently.
• Interpret drawings and redline as needed — alignment drawings, certified property plats, permit drawings, temporary workspace drawings, and construction access drawings.
• Apply the Gray Hawk Proactive Standard: after first contact, actively pursue landowners rather than waiting; voicemail-and-wait is acceptable only on the first attempt.
• Use mapping software (GIS, Google Earth), plot deeds, and learn client internal mapping systems.
• Navigate multiple client databases and conduct online research.
• De-escalate tense situations and represent the client and Gray Hawk with professionalism and integrity.
• Document every landowner contact, negotiation and agreement status in the project's land-management database the day it happens.
• Follow Gray Hawk's Field Safety Manual; acknowledge it and complete the Safety Training with the supervisor.

Success Metrics

• Operating to the Gray Hawk Proactive Standard with consistent, documented follow-up.
• Managing an independent caseload with consistent documentation standards.
• No unresolved escalations aging beyond 3 days without documented status.
• Zero material documentation errors on executed agreements.
• Recognized by the project manager and client as a reliable, independent field lead.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in the right-of-way industry, primarily negotiating easements for pipeline projects.
• Texas pipeline right-of-way experience.
• Thorough understanding of surface use agreements, easements, ROW, surface title, and government laws and regulations related to ROW operations.
• Ability to conduct internal and courthouse title research with no supervision.
• Ability to interpret and redline alignment drawings, certified property plats, and permit and workspace drawings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Experience with land-management databases (such as Irth Land Management or comparable) and the ability to learn new client databases quickly.
• Mapping-software experience (GIS, Google Earth; deed plotting).
• Self-starter able to work with little to no supervision.
• Must supply their own mobile phone that can receive email, and a computer capable of doing the job effectively.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; a bachelor's degree or IRWA certification is a plus.
• Available to start within weeks of an offer and to work on-site in the Permian Basin.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience on FERC-regulated natural gas pipeline projects.
• IRWA certification (SR/WA or RW/AC).
• Experience across multiple asset types (pipeline, electric transmission, renewables).
• Experience with Texas eminent domain and condemnation proceedings.
• Don't meet every requirement? If you have strong pipeline right-of-way experience but not in Texas, we still want to hear from you.