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Position Summary

The Right of Way Agent performs specialized duties associated with the acquisition of rights of way and real property for construction, operation and maintenance of electrical transmission lines and associated facilities. This position must be able to effectively communicate with property owners, public agency staff and the public in explaining right of way activities and negotiate terms and compensation for damages and acquisition.

The pay range for this position begins at $68,500 per year. Appropriate compensation will be determined based on a candidate's skills, education, and any previous relevant experience.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Secure property rights to meet Minnkota requirements.
   • Conducts title searches to identify the owner(s) of affected property
   • Conducts/assists in conducting public hearings on proposed transmission lines
   • Secure survey permission
   • Assists in evaluating land values for easement or land acquisition
   • Obtains easements for right of way
   • Obtains rebuilding/side guy agreements on existing transmission lines
   • Obtains local, state and federal government approvals and permits including highway, railroad, and river crossing permits and records documents at the court house
   • Negotiates purchase terms and executes purchase option/agreement for parcel
   • Acquires abstract and attorney's opinion on abstract
   • Closes purchases and obtains a warranty deed for property
   • Records warranty deed with appropriate recorder’s office or registrar of deeds
   • Assists in the management of Minnkota Power real property
2. Assist in the maintenance of corporate property records.
   • Records property documents at courthouse
   • Develops and maintain files on easements, leases, permits, deeds and other property related records
   • Maintains database of current landowners on Minnkota’s easements
   • Coordinates with G.I.S. or Document Manager for Right of Way document use in varying technologies.
3. Contacting landowners for transmission line maintenance.
   • Meets with landowners/renters and explains the need for maintenance of the transmission lines
   • Informs governmental agencies of sensitive project areas prior to maintenance
   • Negotiates the settlement of damage on private property due to construction and rebuilding of transmission lines or other facilities
   • Negotiate settlement of crop damage claims with land owners on maintenance projects    
4. Assist in the investigation and settlement on damages to Minnkota Property.
   • Investigates into the cause of the damage (fire or machinery strike) and who was responsible
   • Completes incident report
   • Coordinates with various departments as necessary
5. Assist tree trimming crews in the removal of trees from sensitive areas.
   • Contacts landowners and receive permission for tree trimmers to cut trees from under or near the transmission lines
   • Reviews existing easement files for Right of Way information prior to tree trimming/removal activities
   • Negotiates the settlement of damages that may be caused in the trimming or removal of trees
   • Contacts local soil conservation district for tree replacement plan
6. Project Coordination
   
   • Collaborates with engineering and planning departments for transmission line routing
   • Prepare spreadsheets utilizing Excel and GIS software for project progress/scheduling updates
   • Prepares all necessary permits
   • Collaborates with Consultants
   • Collaborate with landowners along Right of Way during entire project process
   • Prepares crop damage reports and exhibits
   • Coordinates with Document Manager or Information Technology on standardization of file locations
7. Coordinate Right of Way Document Templates

• • Prepares and edit document templates for R.O.W. document standardization
  • Coordinates with Document Manager or Information Technology on standardization of file locations

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Required:
  • Associates degree (or equivalent) from a two-year college or university
    • Most applicable areas would be engineering, business, right-of-way, public administration, real estate, finance, or economics

Experience

• Required:
  • Minimum of 3-6 years of experience in the Right of Way field or an comparable role
• Preferred:
  • Agricultural, surveying, or an appraisal background
  • An International Right of Way Association RWP designation
  • Experience in real estate titles, property appraisal, and acquisition of property and easements
  • Knowledge of Autodesk Software related to the work, including programs such as AutoCAD and Civil 3D

About Minnkota Power Cooperative

Our Power is our People Minnkota Power Cooperative, headquartered in Grand Forks, ND, has played a major role in bringing a better quality of life to residents of eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota for more than 75 years. The company has a wide range of about 400 knowledgeable and skilled employees who work to bring reliable, low-cost electric energy to rural America. Minnkota creates career growth and development a priority by creating a challenging and rewarding work environment. The company also promotes a true work-life balance that helps enhance employees' quality of life. A generation and transmission cooperative, Minnkota Power Cooperative is owned by 11 distribution cooperatives. Three in eastern North Dakota and eight in northwestern Minnesota. Minnkota also serves as operating agent for the Northern Municipal Power Agency (NMPA) in Thief River Falls, MN. In total, the Minnkota/NMPA Joint System provides electricity to more than 150,000 customers. Minnkota's Milton R. Young station is a two-unit coal fired power plant providing a stable energy source for our cooperative member-owners. The station is located 35 miles from Bismarck, ND, a growing and progressive city with many recreational opportunities.

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