Reporting Location: Hays or Great Bend Office

Job Summary

The Real Estate Specialist will be responsible for securing easements, real estate purchases and permits that establish access for the Company to construct, modify and maintain Company electric facilities and infrastructure. All easements, real estate purchases and leases required to support transmission assets rated 69kV and above will be acquired, documented, recorded in the appropriate county, and stored in the Company Information Management System. This position will also assist the Operations department in similar functions related to electric assets operated at or below 34kV and natural gas assets as requested, and other departments of Midwest Energy with any real estate transaction as requested. The Real Estate Specialist ensures the processes meet present and future requirements rendering safe, efficient, dependable, and economical service to members.

Job Duties – Responsibilities – Tasks

Within the guidelines provided by Board policies, operating policies and procedures, approved work plans, budgets and delegation from the V.P. of Engineering, the Real Estate Specialist assumes the responsibility and has authority for the following activities:

Transmission Line Routing – Substation Location – Temporary Real Estate Leases

1. Work with internal and external engineering resources to identify and develop potential line routes and substation sites for further consideration.
2. Identify land ownership along proposed routes and substation sites from public records.
3. Identify risks related to potential easements and provide suggestions for minimizing acquisition and permitting risks from landowners and public agencies relative to historical, environmental, wildlife and other issues.
4. Gather required data to support the scoring of all variations of the proposed line routing.
5. Develop the scoring matrix for all proposed routes, and provide recommendations to the engineering team for one or more routes to pursue.

Public Engagement

1. Determine applicability of current Kansas transmission line siting regulations. Any project subject to current siting regulations will conduct all phases of public engagement pursuant to such regulations.
2. Conduct title research, including identification of existing easements, leases, liens and other encumbrances on all tracts on the one or more viable easements.
3. Develop and execute communications and public engagement plans to engage landowners in the easement acquisition process.
4. Develop a website, in conjunction with the engineering team, corporate communications group, and a web developer, to provide public information to landowners and other stakeholders throughout the easement acquisition process, as needed.
5. Work with engineering and GIS teams to develop appropriate maps and other data to support public meetings as required.
6. Plan and execute public meetings to discuss proposed project and obtain feedback from landowners and other stakeholders as needed.

Easement/Real Estate/Lease Acquisition

1. Develop land value data and recommendations for initial easement and/or real estate purchase offers. Provide a recommendation as to the retention of a certified appraiser to assist in this process.
2. Generate, execute with landowners, track, and monitor right of entry documentation for surveys and testing.
3. Work with engineering team to develop survey requirements regarding property to be included consistent with the route(s) and site(s) under consideration.
4. Coordinate with surveyors to prepare real property exhibits, including use of internal and public GIS data.
5. Negotiate the acquisition of easements and/or other property interest as necessary to accommodate the construction, operation, and maintenance of Company facilities.
6. Provide updates/reports on easement acquisition to the engineering team on a recurring basis throughout the acquisition process.
7. Serve as witness and Notary Public for the execution of easements and other documents as needed.
8. To the extent it becomes necessary to institute eminent domain proceedings to acquire an easement, work with the engineering team and legal counsel to provide all required documentation of the unsuccessful negotiation and supporting information.
9. Ensure that all new or revised easements, leases and deeds are prepared as required and recorded in the county in which they are located.

Transmission Line Construction, Modification or Repair

1. Secures permits necessary for the construction and maintenance of Company transmission facilities, including but not limited to transmission or distribution line crossings, Kansas Corporation Commission Form EL, RR crossings, pipeline crossings, wetlands, lands of sensitive habitat or species, and river/stream crossings.
2. For modifications to existing transmission lines: Review existing easements to determine need for easement modification to facilitate conversion of blanket easements, changes in structures or structure location, etc.
3. Inform landowners with easements at least ten (10) days in advance of construction commencement.
4. Coordinate easement access with landowners as soon as practical following storm or other damage regarding access for re-construction.
5. Work with the Operations Construction and Project Manager to develop and negotiate compensation for damages following easement access by Company or contractor personnel and equipment for construction, modification or repair of transmission lines.

Easement/Records Management

1. Enter all existing, new, or modified electric and gas easements, land purchase documents, and lease documents, along with other support documentation, into the Company Information Management System for future reference.
2. When easement documents are not available in Company records, conduct research at county offices to acquire such easements and enter into the Company Information Management System.
3. Generate, track, and monitor right of use documentation such as real estate titles, notices to property owners, leases, and agreements.
4. Identify deficiencies in existing easements or easement templates and provide input in the development and standardization of procedures and methods to improve future acquisitions and file maintenance.
5. Assists in review and development of requested landowner encroachments and/or easement vacation requests.
6. Coordinate with Operations to review transmission line easements for surface or structural encroachments on a recurring basis.
7. Respond to member concerns about easement conditions and maintenance activities.

Operations Support – As Requested

1. Prepare easement documentation for distribution or 34kV line extension contracts including recording the documents in the appropriate county as requested.
2. Recommend standard easement agreement templates for use by Operations.
3. Assist as requested in the review of joint use and asset attachment requests.
4. Assist in the acquisition of real estate or property leases as requested.

General

1. Promote safe working habits and enforce all safety rules and regulations of Midwest Energy, Inc. Lead by example in safety compliance and take corrective action on safety violations, defective equipment, and any other practice that may adversely affect a safe working environment.
2. Keep informed regarding new developments, trends, and best practices in relevant field. Recommend changes, initiatives, etc. to management for effective processes and procedures within the company.
3. Keep apprised of changes and developments in pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules, and take appropriate action to stay in compliance with said rules, regulations, etc.
4. Develop and maintain internal and external working relationships for maximum effectiveness in serving Midwest Energy customers and communities. Ensure communication and exchange of information so as to present a positive corporate image, both internally and externally. Keep management informed of issues that might impact the work environment.

Education and Experience

1. Minimum of an associate degree or post-secondary certification in real estate, engineering or engineering technology, environmental science, land surveying, geographic information systems, or another related field.
2. Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience.
3. Active membership in International Right of Way Association is desired; the ability to obtain the Right-of-Way professional certification is preferred.
4. Prior experience with an electric or natural gas company preferred.
5. Experience in Utility Line Design or Electrical Construction and/or Maintenance of medium and high voltage electrical installations is preferred.
6. Ability to develop maps and exhibits using AutoCAD or other drafting software helpful but not required.
7. Experience as a commercial, agricultural and/or residential real estate appraiser desired but not required.
8. Licensed as a Professional Land Surveyor helpful but not required.

Key Competencies

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills. This position will interact with landowners, community members, and local governments regularly, and must project an image of being open, friendly, and able to build relationships and trust within the community.
2. Demonstrated abilities in negotiating skills are essential, as this position must negotiate the terms of a contract with a landowner. Interpersonal skills and self-confidence are required, in addition to knowledge of the utility business, the project requirements, and financial impact of the acquisition of the easements, real estate or lease.
3. Demonstrated organizational skills to maintain accurate records of property transactions is required.
4. Proficiency or demonstrated ability in detail oriented, spatial relationship problem-solving.
5. Proficiency or demonstrated ability to conduct research/investigation and report upon information that is publicly accessible.
6. Ability to read, interpret and map legal descriptions from legacy easement files.
7. Ability to apply technical knowledge, sound technical judgment, and skill to ensure the processes meet present and future requirements rendering safe, efficient, dependable, and economical service to members.
8. Knowledge of all aspects of right-of-way, including acquisition, title, permitting, budgeting, cost forecasting, operation, due diligence, public relations, community outreach and solid understanding of general regulatory and legal issues.
9. Demonstrated ability to maintain professionalism while dealing with difficult negotiations with property owners.
10. Must possess excellent communication skills and interact effectively with members, co- workers, and contractors in a courteous and professional manner.
11. Experience and knowledge to effectively use current Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
12. Must have or be eligible to acquire and maintain a Notary Public Commission.
13. A valid Kansas driver’s license is required.

Posting Close Date: August 8, 2025

Equal Opportunity Employer