Land acquisition specialist job description

Apex Clean Energy is seeking a Land Acquisition Specialist who will be responsible for researching, acquiring, and negotiating all necessary documents and agreements for site acquisition for Apex's renewable energy projects. Responsibilities will include land acquisition, agreement negotiation and management, and land divestment. Reporting to the Land Director, Development, this role will work closely with Land Acquisition Managers, Project Developers, and Public Engagement Managers and will be responsible for continuously delivering project information to both internal and external stakeholders throughout the land acquisition process.

Our ideal candidate will have directly related land acquisition and contract negotiation experience, experience working on renewable energy projects, and advanced customer service skills. We are seeking someone with a strong proactive approach to their work as well as someone with the utmost degree of professionalism and dependability. In addition, advanced negotiating, communication, organizational and attention to detail skills are critical to success as is a comprehensive understanding of land, legal, and energy industry principles, processes, and procedures.

Our projects are located across the United States. Our Project Development Department is split into 6 regionally-based teams, each team responsible for the development of several utility-scale wind and solar projects. The specific location of the project(s) you will work on are dependent both on our need as a company, your location, and your ability to travel.

This is a full-time non-exempt position that is benefits eligible with project and travel expenses covered. This role will be hired temporarily through our professional staffing agency with the potential for regular full-time employment at Apex Clean Energy, pending quality of work and business needs.

Hours: Full Time
Type: Non-Exempt

Department: Project Development

Travel: 40-70% to project area of interest

Office Location: Remote

Primary Responsibilities

Analyze public records then negotiate, request, and consummate all necessary agreements with third party participants to ensure Apex Clean Energy has rights for development of wind, solar, storage or other renewable energy.

Site due diligence and factual research into land attributes and project constraints (such as real estate title, physical, political, local, cultural and project development issues); Gather recorded deeds and determine availability for leasing and applicable regulatory guidelines, acquire interests in prospective lands by leasing directly from landowners or via negotiating agreements with industry competitors.

Accurately update all systems as determined by the department's needs.

Assist Land Management department in title curative corrections with landowners.

Advise management and other departments of pertinent matters related to ownership of leases

Be proactive in determining effective negotiating tactics and strategies, finding and developing prospective opportunities for our participation and improving operating efficiencies and productivity.

Serve as initial point of contact for Apex's Project Development team, perform office support duties, and facilitate office productivity.

Assist in coordination of public open houses, landowner meetings, or other events related to projects development and community outreach.

Effectively communicate with management using an easily understood format as well as attend, prepare for and schedule meetings as necessary.

At Otter Tail Power, our employees help us serve the communities we support by producing reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible electricity. Our employees' impact can take many forms. In this role, the Land Specialist will lead land and land rights acquisition and disposal. Our successful employees ensure that our customers and communities have the power they need for modern life.
Examples of those activities will include:

+ secure land rights through permits, licenses, easements, purchases and other agreements

+ conduct title research to determine which parties must be included in various project discussions

+ collaborate with various teams to determine line route selection

+ lead settlements of damage claims as applicable

+ Our service territory includes ND, SD and MN and travel, sometimes overnight, to various locations within those states will be necessary to be successful.

Qualifications:

We're seeking candidates who are motivated to seek and deliver solutions that benefit our communities and company while aligning with our core values: Integrity, Safety, Community, Resourcefulness, People and Customer Service. Some examples of what we're looking for include:

+ There's a lot of innovation in our industry and we want positive, can-do people who are resilient through the challenges that sometimes come with change.

+ We have a lot to accomplish so top candidates will be able to independently direct and manage their time and responsibilities.

+ Excellent communication, interpersonal relationship, and negotiation skills as you partner with various internal and external teams and stakeholders.

+ Level and length of knowledge of the various components of land management will determine your role within the department, including:

+ real estate rights

+ title transfer

+ legal land descriptions

+ government operations and ordinances at state, county, township, city and tribal levels

+ GIS tools and use of mapping for projects and property management

+ A general knowledge of electric transmission and distribution systems

+ A bachelor's degree with experience in land management is preferred

Offering:

We believe employment is a partnership and we expect excellence from our talented employees. To support our employees and help them thrive in their career experience and goals, we offer:

+ Competitive wage & benefit package.

+ Employee Stock Ownership options

+ Retirement Savings Fund with employer match

+ Health insurance plan options

+ Training -This includes safety - one of our 5 values and key to our success - technical, compliance and developmental training.

+ Career development is critical to our long-term success. Otter Tail Power employees have opportunities to participate in various leadership development programs, gain access to an a la carte online leadership course catalog, receive mentorship from current leaders and more!

+ Access to mental health support from the experts at The Village Family Service Center.

In addition to the online application, please upload a current resume. Applications accepted through October 12, 2022.

Qualifications

Education

Required

+ Bachelors or better

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

This position requires an organized land acquisition specialist with a proven ability to communicate well and thoroughly document purchase transactions, remaining budget conscious and scope aware. The successful candidate will work directly or indirectly with clients and senior project managers. While primarily a position focused on property negotiations, the candidate will collaborate with peers in the associated areas of relocation and appraisals. We are looking for an individual who is flexible, self-motivated and can function autonomously while enjoying being part of and a key contributor to the project-team culture. The job generally requires some overtime hours and day travel, with an occasional overnight stay.
A Day in Life of a Land Acquisition Specialist at Hanson

A land acquisition specialist is responsible for the procurement of real property required for use in client projects, both in the private sector and for public agencies.

* Meet with clients, project staff and key internal stakeholders to review the scope of work, assess property acquisition needs and potential purchase obstacles, and timelines.
* Initiate property owner contact and coordinate on site or virtual meetings to discuss the proposed acquisition with both owner and/or their agents.
* Function as the negotiating agent and primary Hanson point of contact for the related acquisition throughout the purchase.
* Coordinate or assist the project manager in coordination of items such as procurement of property appraisal, title commitment, and other required documentation.
* Maintain a log of all transactions, team and landowner contact and correspondence.
* Collaborate with engineers, environmental specialists, and other technical professionals to assess, develop, and produce supporting exhibits and documentation required for each acquisition.
* Attend public meetings and interface with citizens potentially impacted by project acquisitions.
* Prepare and submit relocation plans.
* Establish replacement housing payments and prepare relocation claim forms.
* Provide relocation advisory assistance.
* Perform other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

We feel the following qualifications will set you up for success in this role:

Technical Skills:

* Demonstrated attention to details.
* Demonstrated practice of thorough documentation and note-taking.
* Demonstrated computer skills, including Microsoft Office and basic GIS.

Soft Skills:

* An ability to communicate complex technical concepts to engineers, clients, and/or public stakeholders.
* An ability to build effective relationships with internal and external client bases.
* An ability to work independently and as a team member to problem solve and learn new technical skills.
* Demonstrated interest in experiencing a variety of assignments.

Education/Experience:

Minimum:

* Possess a High school diploma.
* Possess two years position-related experience.
* A demonstrated understanding of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Acts.
* Possess a working knowledge of real estate nomenclature.
* An ability to interpret right of way plans and land title reports

Preferred:

* Possess a Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of position-related experience.
* Possess private utility land-related negotiation experience.
* Possess Illinois Department of Transportation land acquisition experience and current inclusion on approved agent list for negotiator and/or relocation specialist.
* An active real estate managing broker license in Missouri or Illinois with continuing education credits in real estate, management and/or legal compliance.
* An understanding of civil engineering practices.

Benefits

Our focus on people means we offer a generous benefits program to help you create a solid foundation for health and security throughout your career, including:

* Competitive compensation

* Performance bonuses

* 401(k) with matching contribution

* Employee Stock Ownership Plan

* Comprehensive health & well-being plans

* Financial wellness plans

* Work-life balance programs

Want to know more? Visit our benefits page for all the details.

Culture

We understand that selecting a job is about more than the day-to-day tasks. It's important to feel like you belong and safe to grow and progress along your career path. You'll find that at Hanson. We have an inclusive, diverse workforce awaiting to connect with you and numerous opportunities to cultivate your career, including:

* Monthly educational webinars

* Leadership training

* Lunch & learn development sessions

* 24/7 access to thousands of skill-building courses

* Mentorship opportunities

* Award-winning internship program

* Employee recognition

* And so much more!

As employers/governmental contractors, we comply with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities where they apply. To assist us in meeting our affirmative action goals, employees are encouraged to refer minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY - AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

EEO / MINORITY / FEMALE / INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES / VETERAN

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies/staffing firms. Resumes are only accepted from recruiters and agency/staffing firms if a signed agreement is in place at the inception of the recruiting effort and authorized for a specified position.