Senior. Specialist, Right-of-Way

Buckeye is the premier infrastructure and logistics provider for the world’s energy needs, both today and tomorrow. Since 1886, we have successfully navigated transitions in the way energy has been distributed to continually meet the needs of an evolving market and industry environment. Our people are a critical element to the success and longevity of our operational history and our future as we seek to thrive through the energy transition.

We own and operate a diversified global network of integrated assets providing midstream logistic solutions, primarily consisting of the transportation, storage, processing, and marketing of liquid petroleum products. We are committed to safely and responsibly providing world-class service to meet the continually evolving energy needs of our customers and the communities we serve. As part of this commitment to our customers, we are continually diversifying our platform and service offerings to enable less carbon intensive energy solutions and undertaking decarbonization efforts on our operations.

Buckeye Partners is currently seeking a Senior Specialist, ROW, Real Estate & Damage Prevention with experience in Right of Way, Real Estate, Damage Prevention or other related fields in the Oil & Gas Industry to join our team!

Role Summary:

The Specialist, Right of Way, Real Estate and Damage Prevention role is responsible for leading the implementation of the Right of Way, Real Estate and Damage Prevention Programs, Policies, Initiatives and Projects in support of Field Operations for his/her assigned Asset Teams within a geographical area of responsibility. 

 Responsibilities & Essential Functions include:

Skills from Right of Way Agent II, plus:

• Research and interpret Right of Way documentation as requested. Write email and interoffice memos of interpretation and explanation of easement rights and obligations.

• Answer calls from outside parties, (property owners, lawyers, real estate agents, engineering, surveying and environmental consultants, etc.) requesting right of way information, leak history, and construction requirements on or near the pipeline right of way and send written responses when required.  Record documents in various county records, maintain database for right of way information requests, involved/not involved letters, and INDOT, MIDOT, OHDOT, PADOT, PAPUC requests. 

• Process Right of Way rental invoices for all systems including Lodi and West Shore and maintain the rental database.  Verify rental increases and assist in the preparation of the rental budget.

• Perform research as required for special Right of Way due diligence projects.  

• Assist with the integration of new assets into the current filing system and map cabinets.

• Maintain and replace Right of Way files, documents and correspondence contained in 100 filing cabinets; add relocation drawings to alignment sheets.

• Open and distribute mail to Right of Way and One Call departments, document and distribute department meeting notes, perform Notary services as required.

• Operate and maintain Right of Way/One Call SharePoint site.

• Property Rights Enforcement, Asset Protection, Encroachment Review and Remediation –  Protect and enforce Company’s real property rights and guide and support the Asset Team in addressing and resolving escalated encroachment disputes.  Coordinate with Corporate and support Legal action as necessary.  Coordinate engineering encroachment reviews with Corporate and negotiate encroachment agreements with third parties in accordance with the Right of Way Use Restrictions Specifications.

• District and Integrity Lead Projects – Acquire or modify easements, temporary work space or access agreements, construction/laydown/staging leases, licenses/permits from state and local governments for various terminal and pipeline maintenance or expansion projects in accordance with Corporate policy and guidance.

• Vegetation Maintenance Projects – Coordinate local Asset Team identification, assessment and nomination of Vegetation Maintenance Projects to Corporate and oversee and support project execution by Asset Team members and/or contractors.

• 3rd Party Damage Settlements/Dispute Resolutions/Reimbursements – Initiate, structure, negotiate and close damage settlements related to Company construction/maintenance/terminal projects, mitigate, negotiate and resolve property owner disputes and act as Company’s claims agent in pursuing and collecting reimbursement from third parties who damaged Company facilities/assets.

• Damage Prevention/Public Awareness/Media Coordination – Act as the Subject Matter Expert for the Damage Prevention Procedure Manual for assigned Asset Teams, ensure compliance performance with the Damage Prevention Procedure Manual to protect Company facilities and provide periodic training to the assigned Asset Teams.  Represent Company at Public Awareness events and activities within the assigned geographic area and educate and promote pipeline safety.  Represent Company to local and state public officials in professional manner and communicate Company safety messages.  Support the Emergency Response Team in incident responses and handle media and local government relations as directed by the Incident Commander.

• ROW / Pipeline Protector (Point Persons) Coordination – Develop and educate ROW / Pipeline Protector Point Persons in ROW, Real Estate and Damage Prevention practices and provide guidance in the implementation of Programs, Policies and Procedures.

• Regulatory Compliance Performance – Support the District Work Team and Asset Teams on Regulatory Compliance matters related to the Damage Prevention Procedure Manual and other DOT PHMSA matters.

• Acquisitions, Divestures and Leasing/Licensing – Complete an annual survey of underperforming or underutilized real property and assist Corporate with the resulting acquisitions or divestures.  Support corporate leasing program by identifying leasing or licensing of real property assets and assisting in lease/license implementation.

• Business Development – Support Corporate lead Business Development Projects as needed and identify, initiate, negotiate and secure rights and interests in real property as necessary in connection with the development of such projects in accordance with corporate policies and guidance.

• Outside Resources Coordination – Assist with the procurement of professional services including land and ROW services, survey, appraisal and legal and oversee and direct such services in support of assigned company projects in accordance with corporate policies.

• And other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

• 10 plus years direct experience in Right of Way, Real Estate or Land Management or similar role within pipeline, oil and gas producer or utility operations or a similar industry required. 

• Expert knowledge and experience of petroleum land management, real estate law, title, accounting and contract law required.

• Must possess expert level experience in interpreting, reviewing and applying engineering and development plans, permits and contracts.

• Must possess advanced experience in understanding, interpreting and applying right-of-way easements and other related legal instruments as well as contract/lease language and law related to property rights.

• Expert level proficiency using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Project required.

• Expert level proficiency using ArcGIS Explorer or Google Earth Pro is required.

• Advanced proficiency with JDE, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Project, Oracle Primavera Portfolio Management, CLS LiNK, CLS GIS Viewer is required.

• Up to 25% travel required.

Certificates & Licenses:

• Notary Public status desired.

• Bachelor’s degree required with a Master’s of Science or Graduate Degree in related technical discipline preferred

• Expert level IRWA Continuing Education Right of Way Courses with IRWA SR/RA (Senior Right of Way Professional) Credential preferred

• Expert level AAPL Continuing Education Land Management Practices Courses with an RPL (Registered Professional Landman) Credential or  CPL (Certified Professional Landman) Credential

• Microsoft Office Professional Certification in Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access

• Expert level user with advanced courses in ArcGIS Explorer or Google Earth Pro

   

Other Skills, Attributes and Abilities:

• Possess exceptional communication skills - speaking, listening, and writing.

• Employ effective negotiating strategies.  One must have the ability to endure mentally challenging and emotionally charged communications with outside parties.

• Be well organized, creative, and objective.

• Have excellent interpersonal skills.  One must be people-oriented, be an effective communicator, and be able to establish accountability and rapport as a Company liaison.  One must also be prepared to act as a Company representative, thereby displaying a high level of professionalism and integrity.

• Have good qualitative problem-solving skills.

   

Essential Functions:

• This position requires the ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and or/quantitative productivity standards.

• This role requires the ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.

• This position requires compliance with all personnel policies.

Physical & Safety Requirements:

• This role is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions.

• Must be able and willing to spend on average 80% of ones time on his/her feet

•  Must be able to lift large, heavy objects weighing up to 50 pounds

• The person in this position needs to occasionally move inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc.

• The employee is frequently required to effectively communicate with others. 

About You:

To be successful in the Buckeye culture, our employees must possess a demonstrated commitment to environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance. Excellent communication, both written and verbal, as well as strong organizational skills are paramount. You must work independently and be able to exercise tact, discretion, and professionalism when dealing with internal and external customers, and when handling sensitive and confidential information.

Buckeye wants to create and reward an organizational focus that stimulates the creative and entrepreneurial actions of its employees that result in innovative ways of reducing costs, generating revenues, improving productivity, or improving processes.
 

People First Culture: 

From managing over 5,000 miles of pipeline to commercializing clean energy projects, our people collaborate to provide world-class service and meet the changing energy needs of our customers. Our employee-first culture means that we invest in our employees and equip them to be fully contributing members of high performing teams. We are focused on collaboration, inclusion, empowerment, accountability, and professional development. We want the best in you to bring out the best in us.  

 Join us as we work together to build a business that is responsive to the needs of the future while continuing to serve the energy needs of communities today.