Description

Under general direction of the Assistant Director, the Senior Land Agent performs highly skilled, technical and complex work, involving the acquisition and disposition of real property and/or easement rights for the Capital Improvement Projects division and for other City departments, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, rules, and practices related to right-of–way, easement and real property acquisition and disposition.

Requirements

• Administer assigned right-of-way projects and land acquisitions, including but not limited to, coordinating, performing, and monitoring property acquisitions; surveying; appraisal reviews; and good faith negotiations, or, if required, condemnation.
• Administer City-owned land disposition, including but not limited to, coordinating, performing, and monitoring marketing; surveying; negotiations; internal and third-party appraisal development.
• Manage and ensure land agent standard operating procures as well as proper record management and retention of historic, ongoing and proposed real estate transactions.
• Act as an expert consultant for other City departments concerning the purchase or sale of property; and provide property-related information, research and data to all departments, as needed
• Negotiate (verbally, in writing and/or face-to-face) with property owners, and work with attorneys, engineers and other government entities for the acquisition of rights-of-way and land for the City.  
• Establish terms and conditions of property conveyances.
• Administer, prepare, and review property valuation, land-title, and oil & gas reports.
• Perform financial, legal, technical, environmental, and valuation reviews of real estate appraisal reports, property descriptions, real estate contracts, conveyance and other legal documents, maps, plats, surveys, field notes, engineering plans, and environmental reports.
• Research and analyze property records and title work; read/interpret project plans, blueprints, layout schematics and related engineering drawings; and perform mathematical/statistical computations, financial, and/or cost analysis related to property values. 
• Review and analyze title-related documents for the purpose of identifying title issues and perform curative work as required.
• Prepare exhibits and maps utilizing ArcGIS and/or similar applications.
• Assist with training and evaluating job performance of land agent colleague(s). Select, assign work, and manage work product of professional consultants.
• Prepare, process, review and maintain letters, appraisals, and valuation reports for the City and property owners; memos and electronic correspondence for the City; agenda item coversheets for the City Council; and transaction summary reports for the City.
• Develop and maintain status reports of real estate transactions for use by the City.
• Review preliminary plans, site plans, project plans, etc. for right-of-way and easement needs, as well as accuracy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
 

Required:

Bachelor’s Degree in real estate, business administration, or a related field and eight (8) years of progressive and active experience as a Land Agent or Right of Way Agent for a municipal or State agency; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Valid Texas Driver’s License

Texas Certified General Real Estate Appraiser or Texas Real Estate Broker (or the ability to obtain within (12) twelve months from date of hire into the position)

Texas Notary Public (or ability to obtain within (3) three months)

Strong oral and written communication skills

Strong customer service focus

Ability to constructively review and correct the work of city colleagues 

Detail oriented

Proficient in the use of various computer software applications

Excellent negotiation and mediation skills

Advanced knowledge of principles, policies, practices and procedures of City, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances governing right-of-way/real property acquisition/disposition procedures

Ability to obtain appropriate professional certifications and remain current in assigned areas of responsibilities through reading, discussion, continuing education coursework, and other means appropriate to the profession

Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals, including citizens, neighborhood groups, clients, senior management, peers and other professionals involved in the real estate acquisition and management process

Working experience with planning and organizing workload, adjusting to changing priorities, and working well under pressure with minimal supervision

Preferred :

Ten (10) or more years of progressive experience as a Land Agent or Right of Way Agent; as a real estate agent or broker in Texas; or in the development of Commercial or Residential Real Estate Appraisal

Experience using ArcGIS

Title curative experience