Job Description

Title Abstractor – South Dakota

ProSource Land Services, a recognized provider of right of way, land acquisition, title, and relocation services, is seeking an experienced Title Abstractor to support projects throughout South Dakota.

This is a primarily remote position with periodic travel to county courthouses, Register of Deeds offices, and other public-record locations throughout South Dakota when records are unavailable electronically or when in-person research is necessary.

We are looking for a dependable title professional who can work independently, follow a chain of title, interpret recorded instruments, identify potential title issues, and produce accurate, well-documented research. The successful candidate should be comfortable working through both current and historical property records and researching a variety of ownership, easement, right of way, and encumbrance interests.

Responsibilities & Essential Job Functions

The Title Abstractor will:

• 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.

Qualifications Required:

• 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 and ability to travel throughout South Dakota as project assignments require.

Preferred:

• 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.

Work Location & Travel:

This position is designed to be worked primarily remotely.

Periodic travel throughout South Dakota will be required to complete courthouse and other public-record research when information cannot be adequately obtained electronically. Travel frequency will depend upon project location, record availability, and assignment needs.

Approved business travel, mileage, lodging, and other eligible project-related expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with ProSource policy.

Compensation & Benefits:

Anticipated Salary Range: $65,000–$85,000 annually

Final compensation will be based upon relevant title experience, South Dakota research experience, demonstrated ability to work independently, experience with complex or historical property research, and the overall qualifications of the selected candidate.

The salary range represents ProSource's good-faith estimate for this position and may vary based upon the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.

ProSource offers eligible full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, retirement savings benefits, paid time off, and paid holidays.

About ProSource:

ProSource Land Services provides right of way, land acquisition, relocation, title, and related land services for public- and private-sector projects throughout the United States.

Our title professionals frequently work on assignments that require more than identifying current ownership. They may be asked to research the history of property interests, interpret easements and other recorded rights, reconcile title records with project documents, and identify issues that require additional investigation.

We value professionals who can work independently, follow the record carefully, exercise sound judgment, document their work thoroughly, and recognize when an issue requires further review.

ProSource is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work associated with the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions associated with the role.

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