Principal Land Agent

Requisition ID # 169115 

Job Category: Real Estate / Facilities 

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Business Unit: Engineering, Planning & Strategy

Work Type: Onsite

Job Location: Oakland

Department Overview

The Land Rights Services group (LRS) is a part of the Land Management (LM) organization which is responsible for the oversight and management of PG&E land assets which include fee properties and various land entitlements. PG&E owns and manages nearly 140,000 acres of land spread across 49 California counties, from Shasta County on the north to Kern County on the south. The company is one of the largest private property owners in the state, and in addition manages thousands of acres of right-of-way easements for electric and gas facilities

Position Summary

The Principal Land Agent working under the direction of the unit Supervisor, shall function in a lead role, direct, review and approve the work of lower classifications and provide guidance for “stalled” negotiations and for all projects requiring the highest level of experience and expertise in land rights matters; is regarded as a technical expert for essential job functions, provides structured guidance and training to lower classifications Reviews title of both fee land and land rights for company projects as well as for those special projects as may be required by the Company, including land rights documents to insure they are legally sufficient and conform to Company policy. Provides oversight, advice, guidance, technical direction and training to lower classifications and advises PG&E management and other business partners on all matters relating to land rights, title issues, rearrangement of PG&E facilities, third party uses of company lands and easements. Responsible for preparation of contracts for review of title and oversees contract agents. May discuss title and land rights matters requiring higher levels of experience and expertise with private, public, or governmental bodies and agencies. May provide expert witness testimony in local and state courts regarding land related matters. May act as land rights liaison to the Law Department.

This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location based on business need. 

PG&E is providing the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job.  The actual salary paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreements, and internal equity.  Although we estimate the successful candidate hired into this role will be placed towards the middle or entry point of the range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis related to these factors.

A reasonable salary range is:

California Minimum: $139,848
California Maximum: $174,384
 

Job Responsibilities

• Oversight, Guidance, Technical Direction and Training: Provides oversight, guidance, technical direction and training to Land Services staff on: complex land rights issues, uses of company lands and easements by others including adherence to CPUC Code Section 851, and high-level technical and legal support to Land Services staff, supervisors and other Land Services groups and business partners. Ensures adequacy of land rights and conformance to CPUC tariffs regarding acquisition of land rights for New Customer Connections (NCC’s). Ensures adherence to company policy regarding relocations. Collaborates in developing and implementing strategies for dealing with complex relocation projects. Oversees and ensures adherence to various master agreements with transportation agencies including the Caltrans Freeway Master Contract as well as the Streets and Highway Code, governing the rearrangement of company facilities for highway and freeway construction. Plans and oversees the work of contract agents related to title reviews, including training and guidance. 
• Legal Research and Determination of Land Rights: Research and respond to title questions. Is familiar with the Subdivision Map Act, the Subdivided Lands Law, the Professional Land Surveyors Act, various California legal codes pertaining to real property, easement law, notary law, recording law, taxation, and those portions of other codes, CPUC rules and company policies which are most frequently applied to company land rights and title matters, and consults with Law Department when appropriate. May provide investigative support to the Company’s Law Department in defense of civil claims and actions against the Company, customer generated CPUC complaints, or in support of Company actions against others.
•  Line, Title, Timber, Water and Mineral Rights Review: Completes the more difficult and complex reviews. Determines the condition of title to PG&E’s fee property and facilities. Advises Business Partners which rights must be protected or terminated in connection with a proposed project. Prepares line reviews for PG&E’s electric and gas transmission facilities using the Land Rights Unit’s standard line review formats which include a summary of PG&E’s land rights and identification of special conditions or restrictions and any gaps in the rights of way.
•  Property Purchase and Sales Review: 
  • Property purchase: Reviews preliminary title reports prepared by outside title companies for the parcel to be acquired. Determines if the title to be conveyed to PG&E is acceptable and initiates appropriate action. Make recommendations of action to be taken, if any, to clear title to the property as a condition to closing the transaction.
  • Property sales: Prepares title reviews for sales transactions. Involves a review of the chain of title, identification of grants out made by PG&E affecting the property and review of the buyer’s preliminary title report prepared by a title company. Provides direction to the document writer on how title is to be conveyed. Reviews the historical use of the property while owned by PG&E, as well as information which must be disclosed to the prospective buyer including identification of special conditions which may affect the sale transaction.
• Document Review: Reviews changes to Law Department approved standard documents. Provides direction and guidance to lower classifications, and assists Land Services supervisors and other business partners to assure the integrity, adequacy and legal sufficiency of documents relating to land rights in conformance with Company policy. Reviews real estate related documents prior to management execution. 
• Represent the Company: Discuss title and land matters requiring higher levels of experience and expertise with private, public, or governmental bodies and agencies beyond the scope or authority of lower classifications. 
   

Qualifications

Minimum:

•    Four years of college in a technical or liberal arts curriculum or the equivalent in education and/or experience
•    A minimum of five years as a Senior Land Agent, or equivalent experience and must have demonstrated the ability to perform such work as evidenced by the quality and quantity of the work product.