Real Estate Specialist II

Real Estate Specialist II

The ideal candidate for this opening will have the knowledge and skills needed to perform tasks associated with the negotiation and acquisition of land, right-of-way, easements, and agreements for a governmental agency. The ability to effectively communicate in person and in writing with a very diverse customer base that includes the general public, other City employees, public officials, and contractors is highly desirable. A successful candidate must be skilled in reading, writing, and plotting legal descriptions; reading and interpreting engineering plans; analyzing property appraisals; researching and interpreting land right legal documents; preparing deeds and easement documents for recordation; and explaining project plans in laymans terms to property owners. Previous experience as a Right of Way Agent is desirable. The ideal candidate must be familiar with federal regulations governing right-of-way and real property acquisition and be able to work effectively under high-pressure.

A Real Estate Specialist II is responsible for performing professional level real estate work including acquisition of real property, leasing, disposal, and / or exchange of City owned property and assisting with the management and maintenance of City owned property for City or government purposes. The Real Estate Specialist II is responsible for the acquisition of residential and commercial real properties involving private, county, state, and federal lands. In the absence of the Property Management Coordinator, this position may assist or be responsible for asset and physical management of City owned and leased property. This position will be contacting and coordinating with title companies, appraisers, attorneys, engineers, sign and fence contractors, utility companies, property owners, and tenants for various projects. An employee in this classification must be thoroughly familiar with standard government / city real estate purchase and management procedures. This class identifies and resolves procedural, operational, and other work-related problems, including making decisions for awarding contracts for appraisals, maintenance, repair, closing on escrow, and determining negotiations approach for acquisition of parcels. This position acquires properties of a high dollar value and / or sensitive nature by negotiating acceptable compensation. When working with relocation and acquisition, an employee in this class evaluates and locates available decent, safe, and sanitary living accommodations and suitable business facilities commensurate with prospective tenant or owners ability to pay, and matches displaced residents needs with resources from various outside agencies and organizations. The Real Estate Specialist II prepares the following materials : documentation and contracts for sensitive complex high dollar value acquisitions, Council action packets (including Council reports and resolutions for abandonments, property purchases, and related information), and information for the City Attorneys office to initiate eminent domain proceedings as well as for authorization of the City Manager to execute deeds and easements. The incumbent reviews property appraisals, negotiates or assists in negotiation of acceptable compensation with property owners, and provides on-the-job training for Real Estate Specialist Is so that they can acquire more technical skills such as plan review, reviewing appraisals, and title reports. This class has a clear understanding of severance damages. This class is expected to exercise initiative and independence in setting work priorities and completing assignments in an organized and efficient manner. The Real Estate Specialist II position includes research to determine ownership, value, and impact of proposed easement / deed files, county tax rolls and subdivision plat maps, construction plans, title reports, and appraisal reports. The employee coordinates with the other City departments / divisions (such as Engineering, City Attorney, Planning) and with entities outside the City such as the county, other municipalities, utility companies, and contracted appraisers for real estate purposes. In the absence of the Property Management Coordinator, this position may perform some property management duties including : coordination of demolition of properties as needed; renting, inspecting, and arranging for the maintenance of Citys rental property; selling City property; and preparation and maintenance of lease and license agreements. Acquisition work involves conducting negotiations and securing agreements, easements, or deeds from property owners for and to be used by the City. This position performs related duties as required.

This class is distinguished from the Real Estate Specialist I class by the greater complexity, sensitivity, and dollar value of projects; and greater interaction with top level management. A Real Estate Specialist II may specialize in Relocation and Acquisition or working with major residential and business properties. This class is supervised by a Real Estate Supervisor or Real Estate Manager. This class is FLSA exempt-administrative.

All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the Citys shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity. Minimum Qualifications Required. Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to an Associates Degree from an accredited college or university. Considerable (35 years) experience in private or public sector right-of-way acquisition, title searching, legal descriptions, property and / or asset management, construction plans, and / or real property appraisal experience.

Special Requirements. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Drivers License by hire or promotion date.

Preferred / Desirable Qualifications. Bachelors Degree in Public or Business Administration, Real Estate, Economics, or related field from an accredited educational college or university is preferred. Supplemental college-level coursework in Real Estate Law, Civil Engineering, or Real Estate Appraisal is desirable. Professional certification from the International Right-of-Way Association (IRWA) or other related professional organizations is highly preferred. Bilingual fluency in reading and speaking Spanish is highly desirable. Experience with and / or understanding of governmental requirements / codes / ordinances as they relate to real property is preferred.