Placer County

To acquire the right-of-way for public works road and utility projects, to coordinate with other divisions or departments involving real property acquisitions and/or appraisals, negotiations with property owners, coordinating purchases through escrow, title work, property management and disposition, and other related right of way activities; and to provide highly responsible technical support and assistance to division and department management personnel.

This is an advanced journey specialized class.  Employees assigned to this class perform the full range of duties.  Employees in this class exercise a high degree of independent judgment in the performance of the more difficult, complex, politically sensitive, and specialized work related to property appraisal and land acquisition for transportation and non-transportation related projects.

Receives administrative direction from the Public Works Manager, Deputy Director of Public Works, Assistant Director of Public Works, and Director of Public Works.

May exercise direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff involved with right-of-way acquisition, property management, and property disposition activities.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepare and review right-of-way acquisition schedules, monitor right-of-way expenditures, and perform right-of-way contract administration functions and related activities.
• Examine engineering plans and property maps to determine extent of property requirements for property/land acquisitions.
• Prepare, direct, and review real property appraisals provided under contract.
• Negotiate complex and/or difficult contract terms regarding real property transactions with property owners, businesses, private parties, or other government agencies; recommend settlement terms and course of action to County officials.
• Appraise real property for total or partial acquisition or for cost estimates; coordinate title and escrow activities associated with property and land acquisitions.
• Attend Board of Supervisor meetings and present related information as required.
• Maintain or direct the maintenance of accurate real property records and files.
• Assist in policy and procedure development and implementation of right-of-way section program activities.
• Plan, assign, direct, and review the work of technical staff performing duties in the area of property appraisal and acquisition.
• Assist in the preparation of the right-of-way component of the Engineering Division budget.
• Provide consultant contract management to the Engineering Division and/or assistance to engineering staff as related to right-of-way activities.
• Participate in pretrial and trial proceedings with legal representative and conclude negotiations on settlements made during such proceedings for property/land acquisitions associated with right-of-way issues.
• Assemble and analyze data for and prepare land economic and feasibility study reports.
• Prepare special reports and perform special assignments for DPW and non-DPW administrators.
• Serve as primary real property liaison with other county departments, other counties, municipalities, federal, state, and private agencies.
• Prepare technical reports and correspondence relating to rights-of-way matters.
• Prepare, administer, and supervise consultant lists when required.
• Assist other county departments in their real property needs.
• Process requests for real property easement abandonments and sales.
• Respond to public inquiries regarding easements and real property.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other county employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Four (4) years of responsible journey-level experience in real estate appraisal and acquisition.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in economics, business administration, real estate, or a related field supplemented by specialized training in real estate law, real estate practices, and real property appraisal or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to the completion of the probationary period, a Senior Right-of-Way Agent Designation from the International Right-of-Way Association.
• Ability to obtain Notary Public Commission.
• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Laws, regulations, and procedures pertaining to the acquisition, and disposal of public lands and the acquisition and termination of easements and access rights.
• Principles and practices of real property appraisal, negotiation, acquisition, and disposition.
• Principles and practices of management, including program planning, implementation, and administration.
• Condemnation and real property law.
• Appraisal and engineering practices and terminology related to land surveying and property acquisition.
• Principles and practices of real estate law, transactions, and finance.
• Land title and escrow processes.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures. 
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; regularly lift heavy weight.
• Appraise or cost estimate difficult and complex property for acquisition.
• Prepare accurate appraisals of all types of real property interests, including the application of severance damages.
• Prepare Board resolutions, legal documents, and notices related to property acquisition and condemnation.
• Plan and direct relocations in compliance with the Uniform Relocation Act.
• Prepare right-of-way certifications in accordance with State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) directives.
• Interpret maps, engineering plans, and legal documents pertaining to real property.
• Interpret, explain, apply, and enforce applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Access, input, and analyze data using a computer and related software.
• Perform real estate related calculations.
• Negotiate price and other terms of real property acquisition or use.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Length of Probation:

All permanent appointments to this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more.  

Bargaining Unit:

General