Land Officer

Job Description

Our SP Energy Networks business is responsible for the distribution of electricity to your property via our network of pylons, substations, cables and power lines. We serve 3.5 million homes and businesses across Central & Southern Scotland, Cheshire, Merseyside, North Shropshire and North Wales. We work round the clock to make sure you have power.

The Land & Planning Team within Energy Networks provide support to the three Licence Businesses in the gaining of appropriate land rights and planning consents required to install and keep installed the distribution and transmission network in order for the business to deliver its statutory obligations for the delivery of the RIIO ED1 and T1 Business Plans.

What you’ll be doing

The Land Officer is responsible for obtaining the land rights associated with the Distribution (33kV and below) network in order to secure the necessary and appropriate landowner permissions and statutory consents required for the delivery of infrastructure capital projects, including day to day operational and maintenance activities, and customer connection to ensure timely delivery of projects and the security and safety of the existing assets.

• Provide land rights services, including the effective and timely delivery of Land Rights for distribution projects and day to day operational and maintenance activities within the district or for other district locations as instructed by the Land Team Leader.
• Proactively manage individual projects with the aim of resolving problems in the land rights process which may be preventing delivery of capital programmes or be detrimental to the safety or security of the existing network.
• Provide specialist advice to the project manager in relation to the selection of the appropriate Land Rights being sought. In consultation with the project manager, ensure in the event of difficulty in obtaining land rights, alternative solutions are considered and sought where appropriate to ensure capital programmes can be maintained and delivered.
• Provide specialist input related to terminations and the use of statutory powers and the use of legal tree notices to ensure that the Company’s rights are preserved and asset safety & security is maintained. Engage and negotiate with landowners to try and resolve matters to the satisfaction of both parties.
• Undertake negotiations with landowners/agents affected by distribution activities, considering such matters as farming practices, rent and compensation, land damage, injurious affection claims and construction and operational requirements etc. to ensure appropriate consents are obtained to ensure capital project delivery in line with District Objectives and Targets.
• Provide advice to the project manager on alternative solutions including engineering and financial solutions that may facilitate consent being obtained and enable capital programmes to be maintained and projects delivered.
• Liaise where required with developers IDNOs/ICPs on matters relating to obtaining land rights for customer connections.
• Prepare land rights documentation and appropriate land rights payments for issue. Record transactions and work management task on internal IT systems.
• Prepare appropriate information necessary for legal instruction in a timely and appropriate manner to secure permanent land rights for distribution assets. Provide appropriate level of support to both the internal and external legal teams during the process.
• Undertake accurate and meaningful ‘marching in’ reports for use by the District delivery team in a timely and appropriate manner. As required, undertake site visits during the construction works and support the delivery team in maintaining access to the land during construction.
• Where statutory powers are required to deliver consent, assist in the preparation of both the 21 day notice and the Application for Necessary Wayleave to the relevant statutory body. Contribute to the drafting of written submissions to the hearing Reporter/Inspector. Work with legal teams and Business and where necessary provide participation as expert witness at related hearings.
• Comply with Company Health and Safety requirements.

What you’ll bring

• Expert knowledge and practical experience of Electricity Act 1989, Town & Country Planning Act, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, Property Law, Valuations, Compensation Code and agriculture practices are required to understand and reduce project delivery risk and financial exposure.
• Expert knowledge and practical experience in the implementation of land rights processes and procedures relating to project delivery and landowner relations to enable the delivery of both capital projects and the safety and security of the existing network.
• Expert negotiation skills are required utilising knowledge of the above legislation and Company policies and procedures.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of parties’ at varying levels within organisations, including senior management, engineers, planners, lawyers, statutory bodies, farmers/landowners and the wider public. Must have the ability to deal with and resolve adversarial and confrontational situations.
• A Working knowledge of the Distribution Networks and the individual components such as substations and overhead lines is required with knowledge of the regulated nature of the Business.
• Able to make balanced decisions, taking into account all possible information and programme outcomes available, able to consult with others when applicable and anticipate/ recognise possible outcomes.
• Relevant experience in land surveying disciplines, or experience of related disciplines

What’s in it for you

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy a number of other benefits. With our pension scheme, we’ll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%.

At ScottishPower, we believe it’s the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family’s wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action – our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world – today and tomorrow. That’s why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave
• Holiday purchase – perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave
• Share Incentive Plan and Sharesave Scheme
• Payroll giving and charity matched funding
• Technology Vouchers – save more and spread the cost of your technology purposes
• Count us in – pledge to reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change
• Electric Vehicle Schemes – to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and public transport season ticket loans
• Options to purchase dental insurance, private medical insurance, health cash plan and annual health assessments
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Access to Savesmart financial wellbeing support
• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why SP Energy Networks

SP Energy Networks is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world’s largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses through Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and in the North West of England. We operate over 4000km of cables and lines that make-up the transmission network – connecting infrastructure like wind farms into the electricity system. It’s a role that puts us right at the heart of Scotland’s ambition to be Net Zero by 2044. And we’re taking it very seriously. We’re investing >£5.5 billion into our transmission network, directly supporting the rapid growth needed in renewable energy. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you’ll fit right in.

We are committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to [email protected].

Mobility

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country. If/when required, the Company will support the employee with the necessary Immigration requirements.