Land Services, Lead Land Manager

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we challenge what is currently accepted, so we can shape innovative and lasting solutions for tomorrow. Through the delivery of our operations and maintenance services, you’ll make it simpler and more seamless for our utility clients to operate safely and efficiently, empowering communities to focus on what matters most to them – people.

Join our dynamic team as a Lead Land Manager, where you'll be at the heart of our innovative projects, blending the flexibility of a hybrid work role. You will primarily support our Land Services team and clients in Sacramento, CA with the opportunity to expand your expertise nationwide upon completing major projects. However, you may be based out of any Jacobs office in the U.S. As the driving force behind acquiring essential easements and land rights, you will play a crucial role in the construction, operation, and maintenance of cutting-edge infrastructure across the country. Collaborate closely with both Land Services and client project teams to ensure the seamless execution of all land service responsibilities, from inception to completion. If you're passionate about making a tangible impact and advancing your career, we want to hear from you!

Some of the essential job functions include, but are not limited to

• Handle complex negotiations with landowners (or their designees) for the acquisition of land rights relative to the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of client facilities
• Settle damage claims with property owners (or their designees) relative to property damage caused or created because of the client’s projects, or their contractors, during the construction, reconstruction, maintenance, or removal of client facilities
• Be proficient in reading and understanding title commitments and title reports, understanding how to establish chain of title. Be able to conduct title research, as necessary. Review and interpret legal documents, legal descriptions, survey drawings, and related reports
• Prepare approved legal documents for the acquisition of land rights relative to the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of client facilities
• Record easements and legal documents at the local recorder’s office, as needed
• Attend all project related meetings, representing Land Services team functions. To convey project updates and work needs to remaining Land Services team supporting the project
• Provide subject matter expertise to other Jacobs organizations as needed
• Maintain property owner and project files, maps, drawings, exhibits, and progress reports, utilizing Jacobs and/or client information systems as required
• Own the land and right-of-way (ROW) project planning process, including development of scopes of work, estimates for work to be completed, and preliminary schedule activities and durations
• Support all required change management procedures
• Follow all client technical guidelines or procedures for land services
• Collaborate with all client contractors or Jacobs’ subcontractors, as necessary
• Act as a subject-matter expert for land services as part of multi-disciplinary project teams
• Track the project quality, milestones, and performance against the Project Execution Plan (PEP). Develop PEP documentation for Land Services projects
• Oversee project closeout process as established by our clients, including documenting any lessons learned as part of land service support
• Act as a witness and/or assist in selection of witnesses in connection with any condemnation and/or other court action involving the acquisition of land rights or other court actions which may result from the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of client facilities
• Represent Land Services as a subject-matter expert on internal process improvement teams or initiatives
  
  
  

As a Land Services, Lead Land Manager, you should express the following

• Problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
• Collaborating with landowners and the internal team to ensure land rights align with company needs
• Negotiate and acquire easements from private property owners
• Managing project planning, including resource allocation, scope compliance, remaining within budget and on-schedule
• Competencies in conducting land rights research including understanding legal descriptions
• Create and maintain relationships with landowners to facilitate smooth ROW acquisition processes
• Prepare and maintain accurate records of ROW agreements, negotiations, and correspondence
• Strong land and/or real estate acquisition experience and fundamental understanding of issues related to land acquisitions
• Serve as the property owner’s main contact throughout the project life
• Self-motivated with a desire to learn and grow within the organization.
  
  
  

This is a hybrid position, and you must be located within 50 miles of a local Jacobs office. Travel for this role is less than 10% annually. Ideally, you will work in-office an average of 2 days per week. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

#epjobs #naepjobs #hybrid

Bring your team-focus, adaptability, and commitment to excellence, and we’ll help you grow what drives you – and deliver the world’s most challenging and impactful projects, together.

Here's what you'll need

• Minimum of seven (7) years of ROW or Land acquisition experience with previous project leadership and client-support experience
• Must be proficient with MS Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Valid state driver’s license
• Understand ROW regulations and requirements
• Willing to work outside normal business hours to accommodate our clients and projects across the country, and the specific needs of acquiring land rights
  
  
  

Ideally, you'll also have

• Active state Real Estate License (state/client specific requirements)
• International Right-of-Way Association Membership, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire
• Active notary or ability to obtain within 60 days of hire
• Previous water pipeline and infrastructure experience
• Willing to travel throughout the country
  
  
  

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Safety is a core value at Jacobs. We are committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees. This position will spend a substantial amount of time performing safety sensitive labor or services. Due to the nature of the job passing a Fitness for Duty testing is required to ensure candidates for this position are physically and functionally fit to perform the essential physical work functions of this safety sensitive position without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others.

The physical and environmental demands required to perform the essential duties of this position include standing, walking, sitting, coordination, balance, and agility demands, which may include the ability to stoop, kneel, squat, grasp, reach, perform repetitive hand movements. Additional demands may involve a specific level of dexterity, grip strength, climbing and cardiorespiratory demands. The work areas may be indoor, outdoor, have loud noise, active machinery, high pressure fluid systems, electrical equipment, confined spaces, heights and depths, fumes, air borne particles, noxious gases, and chemicals. The use of appropriate safety equipment will be mandatory in these areas to prevent hazardous contact.