Real Estate Contract Specialist II

Under general supervision, the employee in this class is responsible for performing a variety of technical real estate assignments that are of more than average difficulty and involve complex contract negotiations. Assignments, which are broad in scope, provide the opportunity for the exercise of considerable initiative and independent judgment with a minimum of oversight and involve primary responsibility in the eminent domain areas and Department of Transportation right-of-way policy transactions. Employees must exercise a high degree of negotiating finesse while being mindful of the sensitivity and confidentiality of real estate transactions. Considerable discretion is required in determining what, when and to whom information is released concerning real estate acquisition, disposition or exchange goals, and pending real estate transactions. Activities requiring an extensive working knowledge of State Statute 73.015 and other federal, state and/or county funding and approval requirements relating to acquisitions and dispositions of properties. Work may involve evening sessions and the ability to work a flexible schedule is required. Work is reviewed while in progress through conferences, observations, and reports submitted and upon completion through results obtained.

Administers and directs the title, appraisal, review appraisal, acquisition, property management, demolition and environmental consultants’ contracts on applicable real estate projects, in compliance with applicable Federal, State and city guidelines; answers questions from and gives direction to consultants regarding scope of services to be provided to City; performs quality assurance/quality review of work products submitted by title, appraisal, review appraisal, acquisition, disposition, property management, demolition and environmental consultants.

Confers with city representatives regarding the nature of projects for which land or facilities are needed; determines acquisition parameters so that property search, determination of real estate ownership, and negotiations can be initiated; confers with city department managers concerning their specific needs and conducts appropriate searches to locate suitable land and/or facilities for their operations. Assists in the preparation of scope of work and Request for Proposals/Qualifications to solicit private entity proposals. Researches real estate ownership and contacts owners regarding the potential acquisition of properties needed by the city for public purposes; arranges for and reviews property appraisals; prepares and/or reviews legal descriptions; provides an analysis of title search results and opinions; visually inspects properties; conducts information searches of tax records, deeds, abstracts, office files, court records, private surveys, etc.; makes recommendations concerning purchases; prepares resolutions for City Council relating to real estate acquisition, disposition or exchange.

Prepares and presents Presuit Owner Notification letters, Presuit Offers, Presuit Notification to Business Owners and conducts good faith negotiations; discusses highly technical issues relating to presuit process with attorneys, engineers, appraisers, consultants, City staff and property owners; analyzes counteroffers, including specialized data (valuation, engineering, land planning, title, etc.) for feasibility and reasonableness utilizing generally accepted industry standards, federal, state and city guidelines; prepares counteroffers; analyzes and resolves complex issues (valuation, engineering, land planning, title, etc) involved in arriving at acceptable settlements; recommends settlements.

Prepares suit packages which include all recorded and unrecorded property interest, owner and encumbrance list, service list, negotiations summary, attorney authorizations, corporate information, title commitments etc.; attends order of Taking Hearings, Mediations and Settlement Conferences.

Confers with Florida Department of Transportation R/W personnel to discuss and solve complex issues, analyzes their input and direction in order to confirm compliance with applicable Federal and state acquisition guidelines, thereby safeguarding Federal and State funding.

Coordinates extensive property acquisition for major projects; deals with significant right of way issues on transportation projects; seeks to acquire major parcels for CIP projects.

Evaluates appraisals, land planning and engineering reports; reviews and analyzes legal descriptions, R/W Maps, R/W Construction plans for discussions with attorneys, appraisers, engineers, City staff and property owners.

Coordinates preparation of necessary documents, agreements and/or contracts to facilitate the purchase, disposition or exchange of property including eminent domain proceedings; coordinates final closing of acquisitions through negotiations or condemnation. Maintains acquisition project schedule; creates project reports, spreadsheets and documents; maintains records and project files for Florida Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration audits.

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge of: state eminent domain law including Florida Statutes 73.015; Department of Transportation right-of-way policies, procedures and acquisition requirements; property values in the city and county area; principles and practices of real estate; appraisal methods, procedures and practices; real estate title and valuation work; requirements of form, content and recording necessary to validate documents in real estate transactions; modern office practices, procedures and equipment.

Ability to: read and interpret blueprint/construction plans, legal descriptions, surveys and property descriptions; write and speak clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings; establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, department directors, attorneys, managers and employees, representatives of property owners and other agencies, and the general public; prepare documents for litigation purposes, property descriptions and property conveyance documents; keep records.

Mostly sedentary, indoors, requires extended use of computer, typing and viewing monitor.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, real estate, or related area and three (3) years of responsible experience in contract and title work in the acquisition and disposition of properties; appraising and conveying real estate including eminent domain processes; OR

An equivalent combination of education (not less than possession of a high school diploma/GED), training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above.

Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license.

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

Employees may be required to work overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

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