Real Estate Services Technician II

Real Estate Services Technician II

HDR Engineering, Inc. has an opportunity for a Real Estate Services Technician II (Document Specialist) to support our Right of Way projects throughout New York. This position provides critical document management, data analysis, and technical support for Right of Way Agents and Right of Way Project Managers. The Real Estate Services Technician II is responsible for maintaining detailed parcel-level records, drafting and reviewing legal documentation, managing comprehensive tracking systems, and preparing accurate project reporting to support compliance, schedule adherence, and high-quality deliverables. The Real Estate Services Technician will also support Right of Way projects by conducting basic ownership research, performing vesting searches, and managing public record documentation. This role requires familiarity with deeds, easements, and other land records, with responsibilities focused on document retrieval, organization, and non-interpretive review to support project teams. This position requires exceptional attention to detail, advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities, and a strong understanding of land rights, legal instruments, and property research through local and municipal GIS systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Draft, format, proofread, edit, and organize ROW-related documents including easements, agreements, correspondence, and acquisition materials.
• Prepare acquisition, closing, and condemnation packages that are certification-ready in accordance with client, regulatory, and project requirements.
• Assist in coordinating document execution, settlement/closing activities, and recording documents with counties.
• Conduct detailed property and land assessment research using county systems, public records, and GIS resources.
• Compile and summarize property ownership, encumbrances, and valuation data for agent and project manager review.
• Create, maintain, and manage parcel-level tracking databases to monitor acquisition status, document milestones, title issues, and recording status.
• Develop and maintain Master Excel Spreadsheets used to track project status on a parcel-by-parcel basis.
• Utilize advanced Excel functions (including pivot tables, nested formulas, lookups, conditional formatting, data validation) to analyze data and produce clear, accurate project status reports.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc client reports documenting project progress, risks, and outstanding actions.
• Work closely with Right of Way Agents and under the direction of the Project Manager to support day-to-day project execution.
• Track deliverables, deadlines, and dependencies related to document preparation, title review, and parcel acquisition.
• Review all paper and electronic files to maintain accordance with company standards, client requirements, and audit expectations.
• Assist with process improvements related to document control, tracking efficiency, and reporting accuracy.
• Perform vesting searches using county land records (current ownership only; no full back-title).
• Identify present title holders, vesting language, and ownership type (individual, trust, entity, etc.).
• Pull and review most recent deeds and easements to confirm ownership status and rights based on location of parcel.
• Retrieve and organize recorded deeds, easements, plats, and right of way documents.
• Ability to identify existing utility easements and right of way acquisitions

Preferred Qualifications:

• AA degree or equivalent experience
• Database and GIS familiarity
• Advance Microsoft Excel skills with familiarity to Pivot Tables and Macros
• Local candidates preferred

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience with right-of-way, title, paralegal, real property law or mortgage lending
• Specific industry regulatory knowledge a plus
• Ability to understand real estate documents such as title, appraisal, environmental and survey
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Industry experience is beneficial and highly organized work approach