Title Abstractor

Job Description:

• Independently conduct title searches and examine public real estate records for land acquisition, easement, right of way, and infrastructure projects
• Establish and document current and historical chains of title using deeds, easements, mortgages, releases, plats, judgments, liens, probate records, court records, and other instruments
• Research records remotely and travel to South Dakota county courthouses, Register of Deeds offices, and other public-record repositories when in-person research is required
• Review and interpret instruments affecting real property
• Identify current ownership, vesting information, encumbrances, easements, reservations, restrictions, and other property interests
• Research older and historical records to establish how property interests were created, transferred, modified, released, or otherwise affected
• Verify legal descriptions, parcel information, recording references, ownership information, and relationships between recorded documents
• Compare recorded title information with plats, maps, parcel exhibits, acquisition records, and other project documentation and identify discrepancies
• Identify gaps in chains of title, conflicting instruments, unreleased interests, questionable indexing, and other matters requiring research or review
• Obtain and organize supporting recorded documents
• Prepare title reports, ownership and encumbrance summaries, research worksheets, and supporting documentation
• Maintain complete research files documenting records reviewed and the basis for findings
• Escalate complex legal, ownership, surveying, or title issues for additional review
• Coordinate with project managers, attorneys, acquisition professionals, engineers, surveyors, and other project team members
• Manage multiple parcel assignments and deadlines while maintaining quality and documentation standards
• Participate in internal quality-control review and complete supplemental research
• Maintain knowledge of South Dakota real estate records, recording practices, and title research procedures

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 3 years of substantive title abstracting, title examination, real estate records research, or closely related experience
• Ability to independently conduct a title search and establish a chain of title
• Working knowledge of deeds, easements, rights of way, mortgages, liens, judgments, plats, legal descriptions, probate matters, and other instruments affecting real property
• Ability to research and interpret current and historical property records
• Ability to recognize inconsistencies, gaps, conflicting interests, questionable indexing, and matters requiring additional investigation
• Strong analytical and research skills
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accurate, well-documented work
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment and manage assignments with limited supervision
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic county, title, and public-record research systems
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout South Dakota as project assignments require
• Preferred: 5 or more years of title abstracting or title examination experience
• Preferred: Prior experience researching property records within South Dakota
• Preferred: Experience conducting historical or complex chain-of-title research
• Preferred: Experience with easements, rights of way, governmental interests, utility interests, roadway interests, or other non-standard property interests
• Preferred: Experience comparing title records against plats, parcel maps, surveys, acquisition exhibits, or similar project documentation
• Preferred: Experience working on multi-parcel land acquisition, infrastructure, utility, transportation, energy, or public-sector projects
• Preferred: College degree, paralegal education, title-industry training, or other relevant professional education

Benefits:

• Approved business travel, mileage, lodging, and other eligible project-related expenses reimbursed in accordance with ProSource policy
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Disability insurance
• Retirement savings benefits
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays