Job Description / Duties

Responsibilities
- Drafts and prepares legal documents and correspondence pertaining to a variety of land transactions including right of way acquisition and disposal, purchase and sale of property, leases, assignments and Crown application including:
-review requests from internal and external stakeholders to acquire or release right of way or fee simple interest;
-liaise with internal and external stakeholders to co-ordinate information to ensure that the interests of FortisBC and the public are served including negotiating and/or revising terms and conditions of right of way or lease agreements;
-review maps, plans, legal documents and property titles to determine charges registered against properties, title restrictions and determining which consents, licenses and agreements are needed to acquire and protect FortisBC’s interest in properties;
-draft and review legal documents for accuracy and correctness ;
-prepare statements of adjustments involving calculating balance owing by purchaser for a variety of items such as property taxes, property purchase tax, legal fees, etc.;
-forward documents for registration according to the requirements of the Land Title Office and notifying property owners or their representatives of registration details; arranging disbursement of funds and recording particulars on appropriate database.
-coordinate and secure land rights with property owners, their representatives, government agencies, private organizations and/or First Nations
-Composes a variety of correspondence and/or provides detailed information to FortisBC personnel, property owners, lawyers, land developers, realtors, government officials and others pertaining to property matters and legal interests including:
-advise internal and external stakeholders of FortisBC’s standard land procedures;
-liaise with land title offices, government agencies, municipalities and other utilities to obtain information or approvals;
-research information relating to property which FortisBC owns or has an interest in, and in response to requests and proposals from the public, government agencies, property owners, potential buyers and others.
-Ensures correct billings and payments associated with property transaction and lease and license payments including:
-determine correct charges/payments for leases and licenses involving FortisBC’s property rights, and determining correct account distribution and cross charging requirements;
-review notices of rental increases, and contracts and make recommendations to the Manager of Property Services as to acceptability of increase and draft responses to appropriate parties
-Assists the Property Tax Specialist in the timely processing of property tax payments refunds and adjustments, liaising with relevant internal contacts and external organizations and maintaining contact lists.
-Performs duties relating to the review, acceptance, rejection and/or conditional acceptance of applications impacting on pipelines and right-of-way lands such as:
-prepare and process pipeline permit applications in accordance with the Oil and Gas Activity Act and recommending acceptance, rejection or conditional acceptance of applications.
-research information from a variety of files, legal plans, documents and agreements to ensure accuracy of pipeline and right-of-way locations, FBC rights, legal descriptions of properties and rights-of-way, determining the terms and conditions for right-of-way use and pipeline crossings by researching related design requirements and applicable standards.
-Performs duties relating to encroachments on FortisBC's rights-of-way, including:
-review a variety of reports and memos from internal sources notifying and advising of encroachment.
-conduct field investigations to evaluate encroachment.
arrange for legal land surveys and Certificates of Encroachment.
-recommend action for encroachment removal or modification.
-negotiate removal or modification of encroachment with property owners, or their representative, or contractors.
-monitor encroachment until resolved.
-Maintains computerized databases and various manuals and acts as the company’s main contact for BC Online
-Performs Environmental Property Reviews (office portion) for property to be acquired, disposed of or leased including:
-draft requests for information from various government agencies;
-research and document historical directory information of subject property and historical title searches;
-Undertakes special assignments as assigned such as clearing titles, preparation of rights of way agreements for particular projects, and conducting presentations to newly hired Planning and Design Technicians on Statutory Right of Way acquisition requirements.
-Provides instructions to Property Services Clerk in preparation of legal documents and other correspondence.
-Ensures smooth implementation and ongoing operation of the Property Services computerized right-of-way property ownership record system, including:
-collaborate with computer programming specialists in defining user requirements ,testing programs, and verifying results conform with specifications and objectives
-update data bases
-research and compile data from BC Assessment Authority and Land Titles Office computer systems including BCONLINE of BC System Corporation
-Performs duties of a minor nature related to the above duties, which do not affect the rating of the job.

Qualifications / Required Skills

-High School Graduation.
-Completion of Legal Secretarial Program including; Basic Conveyancing & Legal Documents or directly related program
-Three (3) years directly related relevant experience
-Eligible to become a commissioner for accepting affidavits in BC
-Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to:
-communicate effectively
-successfully resolve issues
-take initiative
-work effectively in a team environment
-work in a courteous and professional manner
-Sound analytical, organizational skills including a high level of attention to detail, fast, accurate word-processing skills as required to prepare/compose a variety of external and internal correspondence, reports, forms and/or charts
-Sound verbal and written and communication skills
-Basic knowledge of computer systems operations, environment and peripherals. Sound working knowledge of applications systems and software including proficiency in LANDAT, BC Online, SAP, MS Excel, and MS Word
-Valid British Columbia Driver’s license

Contact Information

recruiting@fortisbc.com

Employer Profile

We’re a Canadian-owned and BC-based energy company taking steps toward a lower-carbon energy future by providing renewable energy, natural gas and electricity to more than 1.2 million customers.


We’re looking for new talent to join us as we transform BC’s energy future. Our diverse team of more than 2,600 employees is committed to a safe and inclusive culture where each of us can connect, belong and grow. Join us and let’s work together for a better BC.