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Land Negotiator, (Licensed Surface / Oil and Gas Company / Petroleum) Land Agent
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in compiling information to establish delivery schedules and to monitor progress
Interest in negotiating or determining contract terms and conditions and in awarding supplier contracts or recommending contract awards; may hire, train and supervise purchasing clerks
Interest in contacting clients and suppliers to resolve problems
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Licensed land agents negotiate with landowners to acquire interest in land on behalf of industry. They also may:
Land agents most often work in an outdoor field setting. They may spend a lot of time travelling in rural areas. They stay in motels, eat in restaurants, and work on their own for the most part. Senior land agents may spend more time in offices coordinating the activities of junior land agents. They may respond to questions, such as concerns about project management on well or pipeline projects. They advise senior management on potential difficulties and benefits of development plans.
Working hours vary depending on stakeholder availability. For example, landowners may only be able to attend early morning or late-night meetings during seeding and harvest times. Some land agents may be on call 7 days a week, depending on project needs.
Land agents need:
They should enjoy co-ordinating office and field services, dealing with legal matters, and working with people from all walks of life.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 47 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 05, 2021 and May 22, 2022.
Review these skills to learn:
| Consult with suppliers | 44 |
|---|---|
| Review quotations | 43 |
| Contact clients and suppliers to resolve problems | 41 |
| Purchase general and specialized equipment, materials or business services | 40 |
| Monitor progress of delivery schedules | 40 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 39 |
| Determine contract terms and conditions | 34 |
| Develop specifications for equipment, materials and supplies to be purchased | 34 |
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 34 |
| Establish delivery schedules | 33 |
For entry-level land agent positions, employers may prefer applicants with relevant post-secondary education.
Employers may require a land agent to:
Employers may also need land agents to be familiar with several acts, including:
Licensed land agents need a good understanding of contracts and leasing agreements for interests in land or commitments to landowners or occupants. This includes a working knowledge of related legislation and regulations. They should understand potential impacts on residents and communities.
They must also have knowledge on subjects such as the oil and gas industry, lease-site construction techniques, farming and ranching practices, remediation and reclaiming processes, renewable energy, and transportation projects. They should have an understanding of environmental assessments, requirements for starting a project, as well as issues arising throughout the project’s life cycle.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Land agents negotiate with landowners to acquire surface rights agreements. They negotiate rights-of-way for well sites, pipelines, power lines, coalmines, roadways, cell towers, wind and solar installations, road easements, and other surface uses.
Under Alberta’s Land Agents Licensing Act [pdf] and Land Agents Licensing Regulation [pdf], you must be a licensed land agent to:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Land Agent.
Land agents may obtain industry certification such as:
In Alberta, people who work as active permanent land agents or hold a provincial equivalent may apply for certification through the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL) or the International Right of Way Association (IRWA). The requirements for certification include a combination of qualifying experience, designated mandatory courses, academic achievement, and successful completion of a written exam.
Land agents work for oil and gas companies, land service companies, engineering firms, pipeline companies, electric and gas utilities, railways, communications companies, sustainable energy companies (such as wind and solar), and government agencies. They may work in various positions, such as:
Some land agents work as self-employed consultants. Work as a land agent may be seasonal and depends on construction in the energy sector. This may include new well sites, pipelines, and wind and solar installations.
Advancement opportunities vary depending on the agent’s educational qualifications and experience.
Land agents are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1225: Purchasing Agents and Officers. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 1225: Purchasing agents and officers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 156 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for land agents vary greatly depending on the type of work involved, the individual’s background, and the employer.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $54.57 | $33.29 | $30.62 |
| Overall | $21.54 | $73.60 | $41.68 | $39.74 |
| Top | $24.04 | $114.36 | $49.91 | $44.23 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $109,401 |
|---|---|
| Transportation and Warehousing | $88,843 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $83,265 |
| Public Administration | $82,590 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $81,837 |
| Construction | $80,665 |
| Manufacturing | $78,659 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $75,948 |
| Educational Services | $67,354 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $63,465 |
| Wholesale Trade | $59,934 |
| Retail Trade | $47,736 |
Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents (AASLA) website: aasla.com
Canadian Association of Petroleum Land Administration website: caplacanada.org
Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL) website: landman.ca
Careers in Oil + Gas website: www.careersinoilandgas.com
International Right of Way Association (IRWA) website: www.irwaonline.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.