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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Land Analyst

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

EnergyReal EstateLegalGISData Analysis

🎯 Role Definition

The Land Analyst is a critical team member responsible for the detailed analysis, administration, and management of the company's land assets. This role serves as the informational backbone for all land-related activities, ensuring data accuracy, contract compliance, and strategic support for acquisition, divestiture, and development projects. You will be the go-to expert for interpreting complex land agreements, maintaining land information systems, and providing a clear view of our surface and mineral rights, obligations, and opportunities. Your analytical rigor and attention to detail will directly impact a wide range of business decisions, from exploration and drilling programs to real estate development and asset optimization.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Land Technician or Land Assistant
  • GIS Technician or Analyst
  • Real Estate or Energy Paralegal

Advancement To:

  • Senior Land Analyst or Lead Land Analyst
  • Professional Landman or Land Negotiator
  • Land Manager or Director of Land

Lateral Moves:

  • Division Order Analyst
  • GIS Specialist or Asset Manager
  • Business Development Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform comprehensive analysis and interpretation of complex legal documents, including deeds, leases, easements, right-of-way agreements, and title opinions to determine ownership, encumbrances, and legal obligations.
  • Manage and maintain the integrity of the company's land management system (e.g., Quorum, P2 Land) and corresponding GIS databases, ensuring all land and contract data is accurately entered, updated, and accessible.
  • Conduct thorough due diligence for land acquisitions and divestitures, preparing detailed summaries of title, curative requirements, and potential risks for management review.
  • Prepare, draft, and review a variety of land-related agreements, contracts, and legal instruments, ensuring they meet company standards and legal requirements.
  • Monitor and manage a portfolio of land assets, tracking critical dates, payment obligations (rentals, royalties, shut-ins), and lease expirations to ensure all contractual commitments are met.
  • Collaborate closely with Landmen, geologists, engineers, and legal counsel to provide analytical support for exploration, drilling, and development projects.
  • Generate, analyze, and distribute a wide range of land-related reports, including acreage reports, lease data summaries, obligation schedules, and ownership reports.
  • Create detailed and accurate maps, plats, and spatial exhibits using GIS software (ArcGIS/QGIS) to visually represent land ownership, leasehold positions, and project areas.
  • Investigate and resolve complex title defects and land ownership discrepancies by researching county, state, and federal records and coordinating with legal counsel.
  • Respond to inquiries from internal stakeholders, partners, and landowners regarding land ownership, contract terms, and payment issues in a timely and professional manner.
  • Calculate and verify working interests, net revenue interests, and other ownership decimals for division order and accounting purposes.
  • Assist in the preparation of regulatory filings and permit applications by providing necessary land and ownership data.
  • Coordinate with external brokers, attorneys, and title companies to facilitate land transactions and curative efforts.
  • Analyze competitive landscape and market trends related to land and leasing activity in areas of operation.
  • Develop and implement standardized processes and workflows for land data management to improve efficiency and accuracy.
  • Support budgeting and forecasting activities by providing data on land acquisition costs, rental payments, and other land-related expenses.
  • Ensure all land records and files, both physical and digital, are meticulously organized, indexed, and archived in compliance with company policy and retention schedules.
  • Provide litigation support by researching land records, creating chain-of-title reports, and compiling necessary documentation.
  • Assist in the integration of land data and systems following mergers and acquisitions.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on land data and records, providing training and support to other team members and departments.
  • Process and code invoices related to land department activities, such as brokerage fees, legal services, and filing fees.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis from various business units.
  • Contribute to the organization's data governance strategy and the improvement of land-related data quality.
  • Collaborate with IT and business units to translate data needs into technical requirements for system enhancements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within cross-functional project teams.
  • Assist with special projects as assigned by the Land Manager to support broader business objectives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • GIS Software: Proficiency in Esri ArcGIS Pro/ArcMap and/or QGIS for spatial analysis, data management, and cartography.
  • Land Management Systems: Hands-on experience with industry-standard software such as Quorum (QLS), P2 Land, BOLO, or similar platforms.
  • Title Analysis: Deep understanding of examining title, plotting legal descriptions (metes & bounds, sectional), and identifying curative requirements.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, complex formulas), Word, and PowerPoint.
  • Database Management: Experience with querying and managing data in relational databases (e.g., SQL, Microsoft Access).
  • Contract Interpretation: Ability to read, understand, and abstract complex legal and land-related agreements.
  • Petroleum Land Management Concepts: Strong knowledge of oil and gas leases, JOAs, farmouts, and calculating ownership interests (WI, NRI).
  • Real Estate Principles: Familiarity with real estate law, property rights, zoning, and transaction processes.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in data entry, analysis, and document review.
  • Strong Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to dissect complex problems, investigate discrepancies, and propose effective solutions.
  • Excellent Communication: Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills for interacting with diverse stakeholders.
  • Organizational & Time Management: Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and maintain highly organized records.
  • Negotiation & Interpersonal Skills: Tactful and professional demeanor for interacting with landowners, partners, and internal teams.
  • Proactive & Self-Motivated: A "can-do" attitude with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in a relevant field.
  • Professional certification such as CPL, RPL, or CPLTA is highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Energy Management / Petroleum Land Management
  • Business Administration
  • Geographic Information Science (GIS)
  • Paralegal Studies
  • Real Estate

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of direct experience in a land analyst, land technician, or similar role within the energy or real estate industry.

Preferred:

  • Experience working with land and legal descriptions in a primary basin (e.g., Permian, Marcellus, Eagle Ford) or a major real estate development market.
  • Demonstrated success in managing a large portfolio of leases and contracts in a fast-paced environment.
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