Title Abstractor

Summary

ProSource Land Services provides right of way, land acquisition, title, and relocation services for public- and private-sector projects throughout the United States. The company is seeking an experienced Title Abstractor to independently research current and historical property records, establish chains of title, identify title issues, and prepare accurate title documentation for projects throughout South Dakota.

Responsibilities

• Independently conduct title searches and examine public real estate records for properties affected by 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 relevant instruments
• Research records remotely when available 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 deeds, easements, rights of way, mortgages, liens, judgments, releases, restrictions, agreements, plats, and other instruments affecting real property
• Identify current ownership, vesting information, encumbrances, easements, reservations, restrictions, and other interests affecting property
• Research older and historical records when necessary to establish how a property interest was 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 available plats, maps, parcel exhibits, acquisition records, and other project documentation and identify apparent discrepancies
• Identify gaps in the chain of title, conflicting instruments, unreleased interests, questionable indexing, or other matters requiring additional research or review
• Obtain and organize supporting recorded documents necessary to substantiate research findings
• Prepare clear, accurate, and well-organized title reports, ownership and encumbrance summaries, research worksheets, and supporting documentation
• Maintain complete research files sufficient for another qualified professional to understand what records were reviewed and the basis for the findings
• Clearly identify and escalate complex legal, ownership, surveying, or title issues requiring additional review
• Coordinate with ProSource project managers, attorneys, acquisition professionals, engineers, surveyors, and other project team members as necessary
• Manage multiple parcel assignments and deadlines while maintaining consistent quality and documentation standards
• Participate in internal quality-control review and complete supplemental research when necessary
• Maintain knowledge of South Dakota real estate records, recording practices, and procedures relevant to title research

Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 3 years of substantive title abstracting, title examination, real estate records research, or closely related experience
• Demonstrated 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 both 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
• 5 or more years of title abstracting or title examination experience
• Prior experience researching property records within South Dakota
• Experience conducting historical or complex chain-of-title research
• Experience with easements, rights of way, governmental interests, utility interests, roadway interests, or other non-standard property interests
• Experience comparing title records against plats, parcel maps, surveys, acquisition exhibits, or similar project documentation
• Experience working on multi-parcel land acquisition, infrastructure, utility, transportation, energy, or public-sector projects
• College degree, paralegal education, title-industry training, or other relevant professional education

Qualifications

Must Haves

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 3 years of substantive title abstracting, title examination, real estate records research, or closely related experience
• Demonstrated 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 both 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

Nice to Haves

• 5 or more years of title abstracting or title examination experience
• Prior experience researching property records within South Dakota
• Experience conducting historical or complex chain-of-title research
• Experience with easements, rights of way, governmental interests, utility interests, roadway interests, or other non-standard property interests
• Experience comparing title records against plats, parcel maps, surveys, acquisition exhibits, or similar project documentation
• Experience working on multi-parcel land acquisition, infrastructure, utility, transportation, energy, or public-sector projects
• College degree, paralegal education, title-industry training, or other relevant professional education

Benefits

• Primarily remote position
• Approved business travel, mileage, lodging, and other eligible project-related expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with ProSource policy.
• Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance for eligible full-time employees
• Retirement savings benefits for eligible full-time employees
• Paid time off for eligible full-time employees
• Paid holidays for eligible full-time employees