Senior Right of Way (ROW) Agent

Great communities are built on connection. From vibrant economic centres, resilient communities, and public spaces where we gather to the roads, bridges, transit systems, airports, and ports that connect us, our work touches everyday life. We bring together diverse perspectives and expertise to deliver meaningful outcomes.

Join us to help plan, design, and engineer community and mobility solutions that improve everyday life. Whatever the distance, wherever the destination, our designs lead you there.

Your Opportunity

Stantec is seeking a highly motivated Senior Right of Way (ROW) Agent to support transportation and infrastructure projects. This position offers the opportunity to work alongside project managers, engineers, utility owners, government agencies, and private landowners to facilitate utility coordination, right-of-way acquisition, easement procurement, and entitlement activities for a variety of transportation projects. 

As a Senior Right of Way Agent you will perform and possess a good working knowledge of all right of way disciplines; title, permitting, acquisition, relocation and documentation, VDOT Right of Way Manual of Instruction, The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (URA) and Virginia Administrative Code.

This is a hybrid role with projects dictating needs in the field versus in office or at home. 

Your Key Responsibilities

• Performs right of way title research activities Including the research of records and closings
• Familiarity of courthouse records, including but not limited to: Deeds, Leases, Easements, Mortgages, Deeds of Trust, Wills, Probate Records, Court Cases, Delinquent Taxes and any other instrument that may affect surface ownership
• Ability and possessing skills necessary to conduct title searches of up to 100 years
• Familiarity with online databases and public records to aid in landowner identification and title research (ie. County GIS and other associated databases)
• Performs thorough quality control (QA/QC) of own work and that of others
• Prepares reports for weekly project status meetings and reports on the status of right of way acquisition.
• Performs other right of way duties of a similar nature and level as assigned
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Exceptional organizational, planning, prioritization skills and attention to detail
• Analytical, problem-solver, and detail-oriented
• Must be comfortable using a variety of different technologies.
• Excellent customer service skills
• Meeting with property owners to secure signed easements.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Thorough understanding of right of way laws
• Ability to digitally compile title abstracts illustrating a complete chain of title along with pertinent encumbrances that may directly impact proposed surface use
• Ability to solve problems using sound professional judgement, creativity and innovation
• Ability to multi-task on various tasks and projects
• Takes initiative on tasks and in coordinating with other members of the team
• Ability to participate and collaborate in project team setting, engage in creative and critical thought and effectively communicate concepts and ideas to others
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings
• Ability to read and interpret land survey documents and right of way maps
• Familiarity with the provisions of the VDOT Right of Way Manual as it applies to the acquisition of property
• Familiarity with project management cycle
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite
• Analyzing titles and title reports;
• Identifying key information about parcels and communicating such effectively to stake holders
• Ability to read and understand real estate terminology
• Ability to ascertain types of title evidence required to obtain descriptions of properties and names involved
• The ability to spend as much as 50% of your time traveling or in the field. 
• The ability to work weekends on occasion.
• English language proficient
• Valid Driver’s License
• Bilingual (Spanish) a plus

Education and Experience

• Technical degree/diploma/certificate or equivalent in related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum5 years of experience within ROW/Title Research required.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice. 

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.