Job Description
CLS is looking for an Acquisition Agent for on-site work in Minneapolis, MN. This position is responsible for the field level investigations to obtain all information needed for land values, agencies requiring permits, crop data, potential areas of concern along the route, etc. This person is an experienced agent, able to perform a variety of duties independently.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Analyze public records then negotiate, request, and consummate all necessary agreements with third party participants to ensure all 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.
- Effectively communicate with management using an easily understood format as well as attend, prepare for and schedule meetings as necessary.
- 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 the 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.
- Contact the owners of interests in land regarding the acquisition of real property rights, amendments of rights, notifications of entry, settlement of claims and other matters.
- Responsible for purchasing property by negotiating with the property owners, analyzing property appraisals, and making recommendations to the client using real estate practices, legal concepts, governmental standards and regulations.
- Represent the client in complex negotiations with property owners and attorneys.
- Responsible for recommending to the client whether a reasonable compromise is likely and further negotiations should be pursued or whether to pursue condemnation litigation.
- Responsible for recommending payment increases to the client if the property owner has a legitimate basis for seeking a substantially higher amount.
- Responsible for estimating areas of potential damage in advance of construction and accumulate information as to damages occurring during construction.
- Responsible for preparing lawsuit packages for condemnation proceedings, assisting the client’s attorney, and serving as an expert witness in mediation or trial if the negotiation process fails.
- Capable of working unsupervised in a variety of roles.
- Well qualified in a specialized area such as regulatory matters or acquisition that they are selected to work only in this area of special expertise.
- May be responsible for Right of Way operations and maintenance.
Accountability:
- This position is responsible for working with all office staff, ensuring a healthy work environment and the satisfaction of all staff.
- Must be able to work effectively and professionally with office staff, the client and landowners.
Qualification Requirements (minimum and preferred requirements):
- Must have 1-3+ years of Acquisition experience.
- Must be willing to work on-site in Minneapolis, MN
- Must have active Minnesota real estate license or be willing to obtain one.
- Prior renewables experience is a plus!
Education:
- Associate’s degree or two years of college and two plus years of Right of Way experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience:
- 2+ years of professional work experience in land acquisition and contract negotiation in the renewable energy industry, overhead transmission line leasing, or on large-scale infrastructure projects
- Professional experience working on utility-scale wind and solar projects strongly preferred
- Prior experience working with landowners, project stakeholders, and local government agencies
- Familiarity with the life cycle of utility-scale renewable energy development projects
- Proven experience with complicated title and contract negotiations
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Proven ability to foresee issues, act proactively, and create solutions and recommendations
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to work independently with a high level of motivation
- Strong reporting and project management skills
- Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills
- Problem solving skills and attention to detail
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Smartsheet (preferred)
- Project management knowledge preferred.
- Ability to work in the local project office
- Extensive travel (50-70%) is required to various project sites within specified region
- Experience in interpretation of documents and in the use of all of the tools required in the Right-of-Way field.
- Extensive acquisition experience.
- Broad array of knowledge in all phases of Right-of-Way.
- Understanding of environmental issues.
Licensing:
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
- Must maintain minimum automobile liability insurance in the amount of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000.
Language Skills:
- Requires excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.
- Must be able to write clearly and concisely to prepare reports, specifications, and correspondence.
Mathematical Skills:
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, percentages, and decimals.
Reasoning Ability:
- Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations.
Other Skills and Abilities:
- Intermediate computer skills and familiarity with general PC operation.
- Intermediate software skills with all Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to learn new computer programs rapidly.
- Ability and willingness to move rapidly from place to place and meet timeline constraints.
- Capacity to be flexible, multi-task and maintain a great attitude.
- Ability to be a team player.
Pay: Salaried position with a day rate component of $325/day
Status: Exempt
Attention: All returning candidates will need to register with our new applicant tracking system to establish a username (your email) and password to access your account. Please email StaffingSupport@contractlandstaff.com if you are unsure what email you registered with previously.