Right of Way Acquisition Agent

Right of Way Acquisition Agent, Corpus Christi, San Antonio or McAllen, TX

Halff has an opening for a Right of Way Agent to join our growing Right of Way team based out of our Corpus Christi, San Antonio or McAllen, TX office location. The ideal candidate would have at least 5 years of experience in Right of Way acquisition along with a strong working knowledge of the Uniform Relocation Assistance Act for public sector projects. This position offers an excellent career development opportunity for someone looking to grow with Halff, with potential for not only business and personal growth, but ownership in the firm.

What you will do:

• Manage the right of way acquisition process of easements or access rights for infrastructure development projects, including highways, pipelines, utilities, drainage, water/wastewater and transportation projects.
• Conduct comprehensive research and analysis to identify potential right of way issues, including property ownership, restrictions, encumbrances, and zoning regulations and project impacts.
• Collaborate with project managers, client contacts, engineers, and legal counsel to develop effective right of way strategies and plans consistent with project objectives and timelines.
• Negotiate and secure necessary real estate property rights, easements, interests, and other approvals/permissions through ethical and transparent communication with landowners, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Perform due diligence, including property owner contact information, title searches, reviews of property surveys, environmental assessments and property valuations to identify the feasibility and potential risks associated with right of way acquisition process.
• Prepare and review client documents, such as contracts of sale, memoranda of agreements, leases, licenses, and conveyance documents for accuracy, compliance and client requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Coordinate with internal team members and client contacts to obtain and analyze engineering plans, designs, and surveys required for right of way acquisitions.
• Monitor project schedules, budgets, and progress to maintain timely acquisition of necessary property rights, easements and interests and identify alternatives to resolve potential delays, challenges or issues, proactively.
• Maintain accurate and current records, reports, documentation, and databases related to right of way acquisition processes, including property ownership, agreements, correspondence, and project status updates.
• Serve as subject matter expert and support to junior team members, mentoring their professional development and consistent with best practices and ethical standards.
• Assist with moving arrangements, analyze inventory, and identify and resolve personal property issues as well as coordinate and review move estimates.
• Review moving cost estimates, submit appropriate claim forms/packages as required.
• Monitor all required moves in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Assist other agents in the preparation of title curative matters for eminent domain filings.
• Resolve title defects and document the correspondence with landowners.
• Review appraisal reports and answer property owner questions concerning the methodology of establishing value.
• Compose and assemble offer packages, counteroffer packets, conveyance documents, and any documents necessary to clear title.
• Provide backup for closings, and other right of way work as needed by the ROW Team

What you will need:

• At least 5 years of experience working in Right of Way acquisition
• Valid Texas Driver's License
• Active Texas Real Estate License
• Willing and able to travel
• Solid understanding of real estate laws, regulations, and industry best practices related to right of way acquisition, including title, eminent domain, land use, zoning, and property valuation.
• Familiarity with federal, state, and local regulations governing easement and property rights acquisition for infrastructure development projects, such as the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act, "the Uniform Act".
• Understanding of surveying and engineering principles, including reading and interpreting engineering plans, land surveys, and GIS data.
• Thorough understanding and working knowledge of market trends, property values, and economic factors influencing right of way negotiations and acquisitions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to achieve project objectives.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities to navigate complex right of way challenges and address issues that arise during the acquisition process.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to reach mutually beneficial agreements with landowners, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to interact and collaborate with diverse individuals and groups, including landowners, attorneys, engineers, and project managers.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify potential right of way issues, assess risks, and develop innovative solutions.
• Proficiency in utilizing technology and software tools, such as databases, project management systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills to manage complex documentation, records, and correspondence related to right of way acquisitions.
• Ability to conduct thorough research and due diligence, including property valuation, title searches, and environmental assessments.
• Project management skills to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and ensure timely acquisition of necessary property rights, easements and interests.
• Advanced knowledge of ROW laws, policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Texas Real Estate License
• Possess or pursuing IRWA Relocation certification
• Bachelor's Degree
• Bilingual

• In-depth knowledge of the right of way acquisition processes.
• Worked for agencies in the acquisition of right of way for a variety of conditions.
• Offer additional support from our team of engineers, environmental permitting professionals, GIS specialists and 3D visualization specialists.

• Alternative Possession Methods/Right of Entry
• Appraisal and Appraisal Review
• Eminent Domain/Condemnation Support
• Environmental
• Negotiation and Acquisition
• Relocation Assistance
• Surveying
• Web Project Tracking

• Medical, dental, prescription and life insurance
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Paid time off (PTO) and 8 company paid holidays (and Veteran's Day for our veterans)
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 529 College Savings Plan
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Click here for a more comprehensive list of Halff's benefits