Requirements to become a land coordinator depend on employer but may involve formal education, industry experience, and computer proficiency. Land coordinators handle real estate assets for oil and gas companies, developers, and other firms that hold land for investment and related activities. They need to be able to research property, prepare reports, maintain records, and coordinate staff members. Two to eight years of experience may be required, depending on the type of land supervised.
Some employers expect a college education. One option is a degree in business or real estate, which can allow a candidate to become a land coordinator to develop skills that will help with property management. For oil and gas jobs, a degree in this field is usually recommended because it may be necessary to understand industrial processes and exploration that may take place on the land. While in college, people may want to consider working in property and land management offices to start developing key skills.
After graduation, someone who plans to become a land coordinator can start building up a professional resume. Positions as assistants and support staffs in the offices of land coordinators are often available. It is also possible to work for a property management company or similar entity to get familiar with real estate law and concerns that may apply to land. While working to develop experience, people can also get familiar with the computer programs commonly used in land coordination to maintain databases and prepare reports.
People with several years of experience may be able to apply into associate positions, which allow them to start climbing the career ladder to become a land coordinator. At many companies, this position comes with a high degree of autonomy, so extensive experience in junior roles is required to make sure a candidate is prepared. People interested in land coordination careers can talk with their supervisors about their goals to get advice and information, and develop a relationship that may be useful when they need letters of recommendation and support.
While it is not necessarily required, it can help to be familiar with property law to become a land coordinator. Workshops can provide basic training in this subject for people who manage properties, or a land coordinator might consider working towards a real estate license. This qualification can be useful for someone who wants to be able to manage leases and handle property sales, and may be appealing for a prospective employer.
