Senior Land Professional

Senior Land Professional

Location: Sheridan, Wyoming (remote potential)
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Planning- Land Services
Reports To: Land Services Manager

About Water & Environmental Technologies (WET)

Water & Environmental Technologies (WET) is a 100% employee-owned environmental and civil engineering consulting firm headquartered in Butte, Montana, with offices throughout Montana and Wyoming. Since 2000, WET has grown from a small group of groundwater specialists into a multidisciplinary team of engineers, geologists, scientists, and planners working on water resources, public infrastructure, environmental remediation, mining, and community development projects across the Rocky Mountain region.

Our mission and culture are grounded in delivering high-quality, practical solutions for our clients while supporting our employees and the communities we serve. WET’s vision emphasizes long-term growth for our company, coworkers, clients, and communities through strong company culture, community involvement, and commitment to quality work. Our core purpose is simple: collaborate with people and solve problems that positively impact the communities we serve.

As an employee-owned company, WET values teamwork, innovation, ethical practice, professional growth, and community engagement—principles that guide how we approach projects and how we support each other as colleagues.

Position Overview

WET is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Senior Land Professional to join our Land Services team. This position plays a critical role in supporting the Manager of Land Services in the planning, development, coordination, and management of land-related projects from inception through completion. The Senior Land Professional serves as a key liaison between clients, project teams, consultants, and internal staff to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in accordance with contractual requirements and industry standards.

The successful candidate will manage multiple projects simultaneously, conduct title research and analysis, oversee and assist with project documentation, maintain strong client relationships, and contribute to the continued success of our Land Services team. This position offers opportunities for professional growth, including eligibility to attend Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (FNREL), formerly Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF), institutes and to pursue Registered Professional Landman (RPL) or Certified Professional Landman (CPL) certification.

Qualifications

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Law, Political Science, Land or Energy Management, History, Engineering, Geology, or a related discipline;

Required Experience

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of professional land work experience, including collaboration with in-house professionals, contractors, third-party consultants, field personnel, and legal counsel.

Required Certifications & Licenses 

• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Registered Professional Landman (RPL) or Certified Professional Landman (CPL) certification through the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Core Subject Matter Expertise

• Mining Law & Claim Mechanics: Comprehensive understanding of the General Mining Law of 1872, including the nuances of unpatented lode, placer, and mill site claims, and multi-state discovery/maintenance requirements (e.g., MT, WY, ID, NV, AZ).
• Split-Estate Navigation: Mastery of the split-estate paradigm and historical federal land patents (e.g., Stock-Raising, Homestead Act, railroad grants, Taylor Grazing Act).

Title Abstracting & Research Systems

• Advanced Chain of Title Construction: Proven track record of building mineral or royalty title chains from initial location and original federal patent to current ownership, identifying wild deeds, gaps, and unrecorded instruments (breaks in chain).
• Complex Record Navigation: Expert command of the BLM record systems (MLRS, MTPs, HIs, patent files, GLO) and advanced proficiency in abstracting county-level digital and physical historical tract books.
• Encumbrance & Royalty Tracking: Skilled in deconstructing and mapping complex title burdens, including overriding royalties, sliding-scale Net Smelter Returns (NSR), Net Profits, Streaming burdens, and historical deed reservations.

Mapping, Reporting & Due Diligence

• Technical Interpretation: Proficiency in GIS, Public Land Survey Systems (PLSS), and metes-and-bounds descriptions to assist with the building of and interpret conflict maps, fractional interest splits, and junior/senior claim priorities.
• Professional Deliverables: Experience generating meticulously organized abstracts of title, ownership flowsheets, and encumbrance schedules designed seamlessly for examining attorneys.
• Autonomous Due Diligence: Proven history of operating as the primary researcher for high-stakes commercial real estate, mining asset acquisitions, or corporate financing pipelines.

Professional Mindset & Risk Management

• Strict Boundary Management (Critical): The ability to collaboratively articulate title risks, unpatented claim vulnerabilities, and structural severances to legal counsel while strictly deferring legal interpretations and avoiding the unauthorized practice of law.
• Forensic Attention to Detail: A meticulous mindset that treats minor discrepancies in dates, recording numbers, or punctuation as potential multi-million-dollar title defects.

Key Responsibilities

The Land Professional is responsible for supporting and managing land services projects while ensuring exceptional client service and adherence to company quality standards.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Assist the Land Services Team with all phases of project planning, acquisition, development, implementation, and closeout.
• Coordinate activities among project team members to support successful project execution.
• Manage assigned projects to ensure compliance with contract requirements, schedules, budgets, and quality standards.
• Conduct title research, document examination, ownership analysis, and related due diligence activities.
• Maintain project documentation, mapping, reports, and records in accordance with company standards.
• Monitor project budgets, job costing, and billable hours.
• Track and enter project time accurately each day.
• Investigate and resolve project issues while maintaining effective communication with clients and project stakeholders.
• Prepare accurate, professional reports, maps, analyses, and presentations.
• Develop proficiency in drafting and mapping technologies.
• Support invoicing and project financial reporting by providing accurate project information.
• Maintain productive working relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies. and coworkers.
• Assist with training and mentoring junior Land Services staff.
• Ensure compliance with all company, client, industry, and site-specific safety requirements, including MSHA training when required.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding client information, project data, reports, and proprietary materials.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager of Land Services. 
• Manage assigned tasks independently while maintaining accuracy, organization, and efficiency. 
• Support proposal preparation and project planning efforts as needed. 

Work Environment

• Travel to research sites and client locations as business needs require overnight stays on occasion.
• Office work involving prolonged periods of sitting and standing while reviewing project data, preparing reports, and managing project documentation.
• Occasional physical activity including walking, climbing, squatting, reaching, lifting, and retrieving files, record books, or equipment.
• Frequent interaction with clients, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and internal project teams.
• Use of computers and standard office software, mapping applications, and project management tools.
• Compliance with all company safety policies and site-specific safety requirements.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be based on experience, education, and qualifications. WET offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) 
• 401(k) with company match 
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 
• Paid time off, holidays, parental and other leave types 
• Company paid and voluntary life and disability insurance 
• Professional development and educational assistance 
• Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts
• Performance-based bonus opportunities 

Application Requirements

The application process requires candidates to submit:

• Résumé 
• Cover Letter 
• Two professional references or one example title report researched and written by candidate.

Cover letters and example reports can be uploaded in the attachments section under the résumé section or with the résumé. Please ensure both documents are uploaded before submitting your application.

WET is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes.     

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