Senior Right-of-Way Agent

Gray Hawk Land Solutions; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; 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, negotiate easements and surface rights, and prepare clear, defensible documentation in collaboration with the Project Manager and ROW Supervisor.

The role requires self-direction, strong landowner relations, and proficiency with GIS and land-management databases.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years in right-of-way, with pipeline easement negotiation.
• Texas ROW experience and knowledge of applicable regulations.
• Ability to perform title research independently and interpret drawings.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate surface use agreements and easements, and settle surface damages.
• Build and maintain relationships with surface owners and agencies.
• Perform internal and courthouse title research.
• Document every landowner contact and negotiation in the project database.
• Follow Gray Hawk's Field Safety Manual and safety procedures.

Skills

ROW negotiations

Title research

GIS mapping

Client liaison

MS Office

Self-starter

On-site work

IRWA knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

IRWA certification

Tools

Irth Land Management

Google Earth

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.