Lead Right of Way Agent (In-House)

Coates Field Service, Inc. is seeking a Lead Right of Way Agent in the New York, Rochester area.  Applicant's experience should be primarily in the surface right-of-way industry. The successful candidate must be able to work independently, accept responsibility for managing people as well as successfully complete large, complex acquisition projects on time, within budget and schedule constraints, and with a minimum of problems and disruptions. 

Primary Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead agent shares partial responsibility for the management and supervision of field office staff and operations


• May monitor bank accounts for project and field office, review deposits, withdrawals and other transactions


• May represent the client at public meetings, regulatory hearings, and other presentations relating to the project


• Reviews and evaluates the work of agents and junior agents.


• Assists in the mediation and resolution of issues that arise between landowners, agents, clients, subcontractors


• Assists Right of Way Agents by making calls on resistant property owners and/or complex ownerships and their representatives


• Assists in the preparation of project progress reports


• Monitors project budget and prepares forecasts, expenses, milestones and other reports for client and Coates corporate office


• Trains junior agents and assures that they understand and carry out their assigned duties


• Testifies as expert witness in court during condemnation and other legal actions


• May participate in interviews and terminations of field office personnel


• Provides vital input to supervisor regarding staffing levels and recommends adjustments to personnel numbers in response to workload, budget and schedule


• Leads reviews project files at project end, assures accuracy and organization, transmits or transports files to client in requested format


• Contacts landowners throughout the project for a series of acquisition tasks


• Explains project to landowners and answers their questions


• Documents all contact with landowners (mail, telephone, e-mail, personal visits)


• Assimilates contact information and project activities, enters details into project database


• Secures permission from landowner for various types of surveys and studies on and across public or private lands


• Negotiates for option agreements, easements, tenant’s consents and related agreements


• Secures required subordination agreements


• Obtains maps and tax roll information


• Secures ownership information from variety of sources


• Records legal documents in appropriate county offices


• Provides liaison between landowner and other contractors such as construction crews, inspectors, surveyors, archaeologists


• Settles damages before, during and after construction


• Maintains assigned parcel files from beginning to end of project

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of legal terminology that applies to land acquisition


• Ability to manage junior personnel in demanding environments


• Knowledge of turnkey project management, from initial activities such as ownership research through negotiations, acquisition, relocation, construction, damage settlement, condemnation


• Expertise in negotiations, conflict management, mediation


• Capable of completing legal documents and forms such as easements and agreements


• Knowledge of the sequence of processes required to complete acquisition


• Ability to plot metes and bounds descriptions of property and read a variety of maps, electronic and paper


• Ability to read and analyze engineering drawings and right of way plans in order to properly explain the taking


• The ability to read, understand and communicate property valuation information to landowners, as contained in formal real estate appraisals prepared by professional state certified appraisers.


• The further ability to render independent land value judgments and determine when compensation beyond the value outlined in an appraisal is justified

Minimum Requirements:

• Proficient in programs necessary to maintain documentation and produce reports


• Understands technology of projects well enough to explain and discuss with property owners


• Skilled in variety of research methods, particularly internet, courthouse and recorded documents


• Knowledge of how to determine valuations of crops, trees, pastures, etc. for damage settlement


• Oral and written communication skills must be above average, as well as the ability to interpret, analyze and assimilate diverse bits of information


• They must be able to understand the technological aspects of a project well enough to discuss it knowledgeably with property owners.


• Must be computer literate, capable of maintaining detailed information in software programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Access, skilled in researching information on the internet and communicating via e-mail

Who We Are:

Coates has a 76-year history providing comprehensive land acquisition and right of way services to municipalities, utilities, energy providers, and oil and gas companies nationwide. The first firm of its kind, we are widely recognized as a leader in the land and right of way acquisition industry. A national corporation, Coates has the depth of knowledge and the ability to respond to client needs in all 50 states. Coates is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with regional offices located throughout the United States. It is our mission to provide professional, high-quality, cost-efficient land acquisition and right-of-way services our clients need, when and where they need us.

Coates is committed to rewarding the loyalty of the national team of Coates’ Employees. Coates hires the best candidates available for all positions, without regard to the individual's race, religion, or sexual preference or orientation. Coates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Coates offers a comprehensive and generous benefits package, including medical/dental, vision, STD/LTD, life insurance, paid time off, company paid holidays, and more!