Right of Way Agent IV

KLJ

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Acquisition Regulations, Analysis Skills, Budgeting, Contract Negotiation, Cross-Functional, Customer Relations, Documentation, Documentation Review, Easements, High School Diploma, Legal, Multitasking, Negotiation Skills, Organizational Skills, Project Engineering, Project Planning, Project/Program Management, Real Estate, Record Keeping, Regulatory Requirements, Relationship Management, Research Skills, Risk Analysis, Sales Management, Site Evaluation, Team Lead/Manager, Technical Strategy
LOCATION
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
POSTED
30+ days ago

Job Summary

If you know your way around land acquisition, negotiations, and the occasional tough conversation with a landowner—this is your lane.

As a Right of Way Agent IV, you’ll take the lead on complex projects across transportation, utilities, infrastructure, and more. You won’t just support the work—you’ll help drive it. From negotiating agreements to guiding project teams and interfacing with clients, this role sits right at the intersection of technical expertise, strategy, and relationship management.

You’ll play a key role in keeping projects moving forward—efficiently, legally, and with a strong focus on fairness and communication.

What You’ll Do

Lead & Deliver

  • Serve as a lead Right of Way resource on projects, guiding strategy, execution, and team coordination
  • Manage or support projects that include land acquisition, easements, permits, and property agreements
  • Partner closely with project managers, engineers, surveyors, and clients to keep projects aligned and moving

Negotiate & Acquire

  • Lead negotiations with property owners for easements, access agreements, leases, and acquisitions
  • Prepare and present offer packages, including recommendations for condemnation when necessary
  • Work with legal counsel to resolve complex right of way and land-related issues

Analyze & Advise

  • Review and interpret deeds, titles, easements, and other land-related documents
  • Conduct title research, field inspections, and site evaluations
  • Provide insight on routing, site impacts, and cost-effective solutions tied to project needs

Engage & Represent

  • Represent projects at public meetings, hearings, and stakeholder discussions
  • Build strong relationships with landowners, agencies, and community stakeholders
  • Help navigate sensitive conversations with professionalism (and a little patience goes a long way here)

Coordinate & Support

  • Assist with ROW budgets, risk identification, and project planning
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve land-related challenges
  • Maintain accurate records, documentation, and project files

What You Bring

Required:

  • High School Diploma
  • Minimum 5+ years of right of way experience (land acquisition, title research, AEC project support)
  • Active real estate license or relevant professional certification
  • Strong knowledge of right of way processes, land acquisition, and regulatory requirements

Preferred:

  • Associate’s Degree or higher in a related field
  • Experience supporting infrastructure, utility, or transportation projects
  • Familiarity with permits, crossing agreements, and utility coordination
  • Experience working with state Departments of Transportation (DOT) on right of way projects
  • Experience supporting transmission line or linear utility projects

What Sets You Apart

  • You’re confident leading negotiations—and know when to push and when to pivot
  • You can translate complex land and legal concepts into clear, real-world conversations
  • You’re organized, detail-driven, and comfortable juggling multiple projects
  • You build trust quickly—with clients, landowners, and internal teams
  • You’re just as comfortable in the field as you are reviewing documents at your desk

Work Environment & Travel

  • Mix of office and field work (approximately 70/30 split)
  • Occasional travel based on project needs
  • Ability to navigate field environments, including uneven terrain

At KLJ, we have a vested interest in the personal, financial, and professional goals of our employees. The salary for this position is expected to range between $75,000 - $105,000. Factors that may be used to determine actual salary include education (or applicable experience), training, job location, competencies relevant to the role, and internal equity. We offer a competitive full suite benefit package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, performance bonus, 401k, employee stock ownership program and a flexible work environment that gives you options to support excelling both professionally and personally. The options available for the current year are described at www.kljeng.com/careers/benefits.   

This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive and other duties may be assigned. It is a description of the job as presently defined and is subject at any time to revision. This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, as needed.   

All applicants must be authorized to work in the US, without employer-sponsorship. KLJ does not offer employment based VISAS.    

KLJ will not be partnering with third-party recruiters on this position. Please review our third-party recruiting policy at www.kljeng.com/careers.   

 

About the Company

K

KLJ

Since 1938, KLJ has provided engineering-based services with local expertise to drive national, large-scale projects and deliver successful results. Our strong regional connections, responsive personal service and industry experience create strategic advantages for all clients. As an employee-owned firm, we invest in our futures through a commitment to creating sustainable environments. Through innovation and hard work, we develop lasting infrastructure that responds to the social, civic and economic needs of our communities. Clients achieve success from our ability to envision, plan, engineer and build infrastructure. Our professionals achieve success by going above and beyond to deliver practical solutions and become experts in their field.

COMPANY SIZE
500 to 999 employees
INDUSTRY
Engineering Services
FOUNDED
1938
WEBSITE
http://www.kljeng.com/