Land Manager, Land Services

Your Impact

At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

As part of our Land Services team, you’ll help clients secure the land rights they need to build and maintain critical infrastructure—empowering communities to focus on what matters most.

We are currently seeking a Land Manager to support active Department of Transportation (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). as well as other infrastructure (water, rail/transit, energy) clients across the U.S. This hybrid role can be based out of one of our targeted markets —
Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, Columbus, Indianapolis, or Atlanta — with the potential for periodic travel to project sites or client offices.

In this role, you will manage and perform land acquisition and right‑of‑way (ROW) activities, collaborating closely with project teams from initiation through closeout. We welcome candidates from a variety of backgrounds — including transportation, title, federal, energy, utilities, or any sector requiring complex land rights acquisition.

• Conduct negotiations with property owners and representatives for acquisition of ROW, easements, or other land rights.
• Support DOT and non‑DOT projects by ensuring all ROW activities comply with applicable federal, state, and local guidelines.
• Investigate and research title history through courthouse records and publicly available documentation to confirm land ownership and encumbrances.
• Review and interpret legal descriptions, plats, survey drawings, and related documentation.
• Draft and prepare approved land rights documents for acquisition activities.
• Record executed documents at appropriate county or municipal offices.
• Support resolution of property damage claims related to construction or maintenance activities.
• Maintain accurate and organized project files, maps, progress reports, and documentation in client and Jacobs systems.
• Participate in project meetings and collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams, including engineers, surveyors, environmental specialists, and construction contractors.
• Support development of scopes, cost estimates, and schedules for land services tasks.
• Follow client procedures and technical requirements for ROW and land acquisition.
• Participate in change management processes and track project performance against the Project Execution Plan (PEP).
• Assist in condemnation preparation, as needed, and serve as a witness when appropriate.
• Contribute to internal process improvement initiatives within the Land Services group.

• Two (2) or more years of experience in land acquisition, ROW, title research, or related property/real estate work (experience may come from public sector, DOT, title companies, utilities, energy, transportation, or similar industries).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• General understanding of land acquisition principles, ROW processes, or real‑estate regulations.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to occasionally work outside standard business hours to meet project demands across multiple time zones.
• Willingness to travel for project or client needs.

• Experience supporting State DOT, federal transportation, or large infrastructure programs (Tennessee DOT or Georgia DOT).
• Active state Real Estate License.
• IRWA membership (or ability to obtain within 60 days of hire).
• Active Notary (or ability to obtain within 60 days of hire).

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full‑time salaried/exempt employees,…