Surface Landman II

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

The Surface Landman II is responsible for independently managing complex surface land assignments that support BKV’s development, operations, infrastructure, and asset objectives. This role negotiates and secures surface-related agreements, rights-of-way, easements, access permissions, water purchase agreement, and damage settlements while serving as a trusted liaison among landowners, regulatory agencies, internal operations teams, and legal partners. The Surface Landman II applies judgment, negotiation skills, and sound business acumen to solve land-related issues, ensure contractual and regulatory compliance, and support safe, efficient, and responsible operations. This position is expected to model BKV’s values, communicate professionally, take ownership of results, and contribute to a collaborative, high-performing Land organization.

Responsibilities

·       Typical job responsibilities of the Surface Landman II include:

·       Negotiate, draft, analyze, and secure surface use agreements, easements, rights-of-way, road use agreements, water use agreements, survey permissions, access agreements, and related surface land contracts.

·       Serve as a primary liaison with landowners, tenants, local communities, county and state agencies, and other external stakeholders to support responsible development and ongoing operations.

·       Proactively seek opportunities to protect BKV rights while adding additional revenue streams arising from suburban and urban growth, direct gas sales, and other creative value adding projects.

·       Coordinate with Land, Drilling, Completions, Production, Facilities, Midstream, Regulatory, Accounting, Legal, and other internal teams to align surface land activities with operational schedules and business priorities.

·       Research title, ownership, lease provisions, easement terms, and surface rights to identify contractual obligations, operational constraints, and available remedies.

·       Support the staking and placement of wells, pipelines, electric lines, roads, tank batteries, compressor sites, facilities, and other infrastructure to ensure proper surface access and agreement compliance.

·       Negotiate, document, and resolve surface damage claims and related landowner concerns in a fair, timely, and professional manner.

·       Maintain accurate land records, agreement files, payment documentation, obligation calendars, reports, and system updates to support compliance, audit readiness, and operational transparency.

·       Identify risks, resolve complex land-related issues, recommend practical solutions, and escalate legal, regulatory, or commercial matters when appropriate.

·       Mentor less experienced land professionals, contractors, or field resources as needed and contribute to continuous improvement of land processes and practices.

·       Work closely with Barnett land and midstream teams to strengthen and maintain BKV’s surface land positions including working with Land Administration to maintain the Land Records System. 

·       Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

·       Knowledge of surface land practices, right-of-way disciplines, easements, access agreements, surface damage settlements, and oil and gas development operations.

·       Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to represent the company professionally with landowners, agencies, and community members.

·       Ability to interpret legal descriptions, plats, surveys, leases, easements, surface use agreements, title documents, and related contractual obligations.

·       Proficiency with Microsoft Office and land management systems, with the ability to maintain accurate records, prepare reports, and manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.

·       Effective communication skills to collaborate with various internal teams and stakeholders.

·       Ability to thrive in a dynamic fast-paced environment.

·       Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

·       Demonstrated attention to detail, organization, and prioritization skills.

·       Demonstrated cognitive and problem-solving skills.

Education & Experience

·       Bachelor’s degree in Land Management, Energy Management, Business, Finance, Real Estate, Petroleum Land Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent directly related experience may be considered.

·       Minimum of five years of progressive surface land, right-of-way, or related oil and gas land experience, including experience negotiating surface agreements, easements, rights-of-way, and damage settlements.

·       Experience supporting upstream operations, infrastructure development, drilling and completions activity, production operations, or midstream projects preferred.

·       Professional land association membership or certification, such as AAPL, IRWA, CPL, RPL, or similar credential, preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

·       Work is performed in a professional office environment with regular interaction across business functions and periodic travel to field locations, project sites, landowner meetings, county courthouses, and agency offices.

·       The role may require driving, walking job sites or undeveloped terrain, attending on-site meetings, and operating under changing priorities, deadlines, and operational schedules. A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record may be required.