What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Surface Landman position at Vital Energy, Inc.?
The Surface Landman will report to the Surface Land Manager and be responsible for all aspects of surface land functions, with a strong emphasis on right-of-way disciplines. This role requires expertise in title and ownership identification, survey permissions / rights-of-entry, survey plats, Rights-of-Way Agreements, Oil & Gas Leases, Water Use Agreements, Surface and Subsurface Use Agreements, and various easement agreements. The Surface Landman will negotiate these agreements and surface damage settlements, coordinate on-site meetings with landowners and company personnel, and address complex issues that arise as the company develops strategies for the operational areas in which they work.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
Under supervision, responsibilities will include but not limited to the following essential functions :
- Serve as company liaison with landowners, tenants, County, and State regulatory agencies.
- Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration by coordinating with teams such as Land, Drilling, Completions, Production, Facilities, Geology, Reservoir, and Legal to support the company's strategic goals and objectives.
- Oversee the staking of pipelines, wells, electric lines, tank batteries, compressor sites, and other related infrastructure to ensure proper placement and compliance with lease and surface use agreements.
- Negotiate, analyze, draft, and secure land-related contracts concerning the use of the surface and subsurface estates.
- Interpret and enforce pipeline easements, lease rights, water use agreements, surface use agreements, and other contractual obligations to ensure compliance and adherence to all terms.
- Track and monitor internal documents and processes to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Negotiate and resolve complex surface damage settlements to achieve fair and equitable outcomes.
- Inform internal personnel of all upcoming lease and easement obligations directly related to right-of-way operations.
EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS :
COMPENSATION :
Salary is commensurate with experience.
WORKING CONDITIONS :
Working conditions will consist of 50% office environment, and 50% field environment. While in the field, exposure to various weather conditions native to the west Texas environment will consist of high winds, dusty air, hot temperatures in the summer, cold in the winter. You will encounter producing oil and gas wells, pipelines and other hazards common to Oil & Gas Operations. There is potential exposure to fumes and gases of various kinds. Field work will require strict adherence to the Company's safety policies and a heightened awareness of your surroundings at all times.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS :
Work requires finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination to operate computer keyboard at moderate skill level. Field work will require walking in weather conditions across plowed fields and through brush and mesquite pasture lands. Office work sitting the majority of the time, standing and walking for brief periods of time and may require occasional pushing, pulling or carrying 20-pound objects such as files, documents, boxes, etc.