LEAD LAND ADMINISTRATOR
Job Summary:
The Lead Land Administrator is responsible for leading the day-to-day land administration activities supporting Dugan Production Corp.'s oil and gas assets across federal, state, tribal, and fee lands. This position serves as the technical lead for the Land Administration function, providing oversight of the company's land records, ownership data, and lease administration processes while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the WEnergy Land Module and related land management systems.
Working closely with the Vice President of Operations and cross-functional departments including Division Orders, Accounting, Engineering, Operations, and Legal, the Lead Land Administrator is responsible for overseeing lease administration, ownership maintenance, regulatory compliance, acquisitions and divestitures, title review, due diligence, and the integration of newly acquired assets into company systems. This position provides leadership to the Land Administration team by training, mentoring, reviewing, and approving the work of Land Administrators while ensuring consistent procedures, data accuracy, and regulatory compliance. The Lead Land Administrator plays a critical role in maintaining reliable land data that supports revenue distribution, operational planning, regulatory compliance, and strategic business decisions.
Serves as the technical lead for the Land Administration function. Responsible for assigning work, reviewing and approving land administration activities, training and mentoring Land Administrators, establishing work priorities, and ensuring the accuracy and consistency of land records and processes. This position may not have direct personnel management responsibilities but provides day-to-day leadership and quality oversight for the Land Administration team.
Essential Duties:
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Maintain and update lease ownership, and contract records within WEnergy Land Module and other company land management systems.
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Ensure land records remain synchronized and accurate across WEnergy, BLM MLRS, NMSLO, and other internal and external databases.
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Monitor lease obligations, including rentals, expirations, royalty provisions, drilling commitments, and other contractual requirements.
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Train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to Land Administrators to ensure consistent application of land administration procedures, company standards, and best practices.
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Review, approve, and perform quality assurance on lease records, ownership updates, contract entries, and other work completed by Land Administrators before final processing when appropriate.
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Review, validate, and perform quality assurance on work completed by junior land administration staff.
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Provide guidance and technical support to Land Administrators regarding lease administration procedures, ownership research, and data management.
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Support Division Order activities by reviewing ownership records, resolving suspense items, and coordinating with Revenue Accounting.
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Reconcile ownership, lease, and contract information between multiple company systems and external sources.
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Monitor federal, state, tribal, and fee lease compliance and assist with regulatory reporting and audit readiness.
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Generate lease status, compliance, ownership, and obligation reports for management and operational departments.
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Coordinate with Land, Accounting, Engineering, Operations, Legal, and external business partners regarding ownership and lease matters.
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Support acquisitions, divestitures, title review, due diligence, and property evaluations by reviewing lease files, ownership records, contracts, title opinions, and related documentation.
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Coordinate the setup, validation, and integration of newly acquired properties, leases, contracts, and ownership records into WEnergy and other company systems while ensuring complete and accurate data migration.
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Support acquisitions, divestitures, due diligence projects, and integration of newly acquired assets.
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Research ownership discrepancies, title issues, and lease questions while recommending practical resolutions.
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Identify opportunities to improve land administration workflows, data accuracy, and system efficiency.
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Maintain confidentiality of company records, ownership information, contracts and agreements, and proprietary business data.
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Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
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Employee may also be asked by a supervisor or other management to perform duties outside the normal scope of this position and will be expected to complete those assignments as directed.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
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Knowledge of oil and gas lease administration, land ownership, title documentation, and Division Order processes.
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Advanced knowledge of WEnergy Land Module administration, land data management, and system controls.
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Knowledge of federal, state, tribal, and fee mineral ownership and leasing practices.
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Knowledge of oil and gas land management systems, including WEnergy Land Module and related software.
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Familiarity with BLM MLRS, New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO), and other regulatory databases.
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Ability to reconcile complex ownership, lease, and contract information across multiple systems.
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Ability to interpret leases, contracts and agreements, assignments, deeds, title opinions, and other legal documents affecting mineral ownership.
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Ability to oversee the integrity and quality of enterprise land data and establish consistent land administration standards.
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Ability to train, mentor, review, and approve the work of Land Administrators while promoting professional development and accountability.
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
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Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
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Ability to organize multiple priorities while maintaining data integrity and meeting deadlines.
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Ability to communicate effectively with land professionals, engineers, accountants, attorneys, regulatory agencies, and external partners.
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Ability to review work, provide guidance to junior staff, and promote consistent land administration practices.
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Ability to maintain confidentiality while exercising sound judgment and professionalism.
Education and Experience:
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Associate's degree in Business, Energy Management, Petroleum Land Management, or a related field preferred.
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Three (3) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in oil and gas land administration, Division Orders, or related land management functions.
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Experience using WEnergy Land Module or equivalent land management software required.
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Experience with federal and state land systems, including BLM MLRS and NMSLO, preferred.
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Strong working knowledge of lease administration, ownership structures, and regulatory compliance.
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An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Working Conditions:
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This position primarily operates in a professional office environment using land management software, databases, and standard office equipment. Occasional travel to courthouses, regulatory agencies, field offices, or company locations may be required to support land administration activities.
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Frequent sitting and computer use.
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Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
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Frequent use of hands and fingers for keyboarding and document review.
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Occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.
Additional Information:
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Pay Grade: S2
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FLSA Classification: Exempt
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Employment Category: Regular Full-Time
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Safety Sensitive Position: No
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The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
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The Employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.
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Dugan Production is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities.
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Employment with Dugan Production Corp. is considered at will, meaning that either the company or employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without cause or notice.
