Title Searcher/Abstractor

ERM; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM is seeking Title Agents to support electric transmission and distribution projects in Richmond, VA, Raleigh, NC and Charlotte, NC. This full-time, 40-hour/week role is a 12-month, limited-term position with potential extension.

You will conduct public records research, analyze ownership and encumbrances, and prepare clear title summaries to support acquisition, permitting, engineering, valuation, and project decisions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience performing real estate title searches or related due diligence.
• Ability to read, interpret, and summarize deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in multi-parcels projects.

Responsibilities

• Conduct title searches using public records for various project types.
• Research chain of title, ownership, encumbrances, and other instruments.
• Review legal descriptions and parcel data to confirm boundaries.
• Prepare clear title search reports and ownership summaries for stakeholders.
• Identify potential title issues or risks impacting acquisitions or permitting.
• Coordinate with offices and teams to obtain records and resolve questions.
• Maintain organized research records and deliverables per QC procedures.
• Support special assignments including historical title research and multi-county work.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

PDF tools

GIS viewers

Title research platforms

Electronic document management systems

Job description

ERM is hiring Title Agents in Richmond, VA/Raleigh and Charlotte, NC to support electric transmission and distribution project efforts. This position is responsible for conducting public records research, reviewing title documents, analyzing ownership and encumbrance information, and preparing clear, defensible title summaries to support acquisition, permitting, engineering, valuation, and project decision-making. This is a full-time (40 hours/week), limited-term role for a duration of 12 months, extendable.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct title searches for residential, commercial, utility, infrastructure, and right-of-way projects using county, municipal, tax, GIS, and online public record resources.
• Research and document chain of title, current ownership, vesting, tax information, mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, restrictions, covenants, plats, surveys, and other recorded instruments affecting real property.
• Review and interpret legal descriptions, parcel identification numbers, plats, assessor records, tax maps, tract indices, and recorded documents to confirm property boundaries and ownership history.
• Prepare accurate title search reports, ownership summaries, document lists, and supporting materials for title reviewers, project managers, attorneys, appraisers, land agents, and client stakeholders.
• Identify potential title issues, gaps, encumbrances, inconsistencies, or risks that may impact acquisition, access, permitting, project development, or real estate transactions.
• Coordinate with county recorder offices, clerks, assessors, treasurers, surveyors, title companies, law firms, and internal project teams to obtain records and clarify title-related questions.
• Maintain organized records of research activities, document sources, correspondence, findings, and deliverables in accordance with project requirements and quality control procedures.
• Support special assignments, including historical title research, parcel due diligence, document retrieval, condemnation support, curative research, and multi-county project work.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred, high school diploma required.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience conducting real estate title searches, abstracting, title examination support, public records research, or comparable real estate due diligence work.
• Minimum of 1 year supporting linear infrastructure projects preferred.
• Working knowledge of real estate records, county recording systems, tax records, legal descriptions, parcel identification practices, and common title documents.
• Ability to read, interpret, and summarize deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, judgments, easements, plats, surveys, tax records, and other recorded instruments.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple parcel assignments and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, PDF tools, online county portals, GIS viewers, title research platforms, and electronic document management systems.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain title findings, document limitations, and potential issues to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work independently, follow established research procedures, maintain confidentiality, and produce accurate, defensible work products.

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.