NEW TO RIGHT OF WAY?

A Career That Builds Communities

Every new highway, transit line, pipeline, power line and broadband project needs land, and someone has to secure the rights to build on it. That's right of way: the professionals who research, value and acquire property, relocate families and businesses, and manage land rights so infrastructure can get built fairly and on time.

What right of way professionals do

• Acquisition and negotiation: work with property owners to buy land or easements for public projects

• Appraisal: estimate fair market value and damages

• Relocation assistance: help displaced residents and businesses move, under the federal Uniform Act

• Title and research: trace ownership, liens and recorded rights

• Property and asset management: manage, lease or sell land agencies already own

• Surveying, engineering and environmental review: map the parcels and clear the way

• Utility coordination and permitting: move and permit pipes, poles and lines

Who hires

State transportation departments such as VDOT, cities and counties, utilities and energy companies, railroads and transit agencies, and the many consulting firms, appraisers and law firms that support them. In Hampton Roads and across Virginia, steady transportation, utility and broadband investment keeps demand strong.

Backgrounds that fit

Real estate, appraisal, title, paralegal, surveying, engineering, planning, construction and customer-facing roles all transfer well. Many people come in with a two- or four-year degree and learn the specialty through IRWA courses and on-the-job experience.

How to get started

• Come to a chapter meeting. Guests are welcome, and it's the fastest way to meet people who hire. See upcoming meetings.

• Take Course 100, Principles of Land Acquisition, the foundation for every IRWA path. See Chapter 52's courses.

• Plan your credentials. Your path to the SR/WA shows how RWA, RWP and SR/WA build on each other.

• Look at openings on the IRWA Career Center.

• Join IRWA for member pricing on courses and access to the professional network. Membership information.

Have questions about breaking into right of way? We're happy to help. Reach out through our Contact Us page.