JOB TITLE: REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST

JOB CODE: 17148

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Real Estate job series describes work in in the acquisition, management, and disposal of real property for commonwealth agencies, boards, or commissions.

DEFINITION: This is advanced technical work negotiating for and acquiring real estate, performing real property management functions, and resolving related issues.

An employee in this job is responsible for negotiating with property owners for the settlement of complex acquisition projects, including those that involve eminent domain, or property located on land with dispute and encroachment issues, such as mineral rights or timber harvesting; and advising real estate owners and tenants of their rights and entitlements under applicable laws and regulations. Work involves identifying property ownership and legal documentation needed to gain access to properties by performing title searches, reading and plotting deeds, and reviewing historical property data; interpreting plans, blueprints, cross sections, and profiles for property owners; and providing court testimony in claim disputes. Work also involves identifying excess property, preparing permanent fixture inventories for acquired properties, maintaining listings of available replacement housing, renting acquired properties, and monitoring and recording encroachments. Work includes preparing space allocation and relocation plans and providing relocation assistance to displaced persons. Work may include negotiating with property or landowners to settle right-of-way claims and to finalize fees and damages owed; managing an outdoor advertising program to ensure billboard and junkyard control policies are consistent with state zoning regulations; or analyzing property legal documents to determine sub-surface and mineral rights ownership. Work is reviewed for adherence to established policies, procedures, and standards.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

• Work is differentiated from the lower level job based on responsibility for the independent management of real estate acquisitions and dispositions of a political or sensitive nature that have complex land use restrictions or mineral rights issues; or major right-of-way projects that require interpretation of transportation laws.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (Note: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Manages the acquisition of commercial and industrial properties, partial takes involving property improvements, or acquisitions which have an impact on the remaining value of the affected property.

• Negotiates with property owners to settle complex claims and real estate acquisitions.

• Coordinates the acquisition of agreements of sale, easements, and public service line license agreements for commonwealth-owned or residential properties.

• Coordinates property management functions within an assigned district.

• Manages advertising, conducts bid openings and auction sales, responds to public requests, and prepares all correspondence for excess right-of-way sales.

• Reviews right-of-way license applications and makes recommendations based on application completeness, alternatives analysis, compliance with regulations, and consultations with higher-level staff.

• Negotiates cooperative, land usage, and municipal agreements to allow access to facilities or land.

• Evaluates property use requests from third parties for agency owned or controlled property.

• Analyzes right-of-way project plans and recommends actions to expedite project schedules.

• Prepares waiver valuations to justify determined real estate values and damage estimates on claims of minimal value that do not require an appraisal.

• Maintains communications with local zoning officials to coordinate billboard and junkyard control policies within existing and proposed zoning regulations.

• Testifies at administrative hearings in cases where appeals of outdoor advertising device or junkyard control decisions are adjudicated.

• Conducts land title research to determine surface and sub-surface ownership rights, reservations, easements, and other possible agency, commission, or board entitlements.

• Searches for surface and mineral rights ownership, obtains consent for right of entry from property owners, and prepares real estate ownership reports to include assessment maps, tax cards, and deeds for project developers and designers.

• Manages permit billings and attends meetings with applicants, affected landowners, and legislative representatives.

• Researches courthouse records and deed information to determine current and historic title and leases affecting property ownership and contacts property owners or representatives to discuss project impact.

• Provides real property reports, statistics, and recommendations concerning the utilization, development, and disposal of real property.

• At the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, develops, establishes, interprets, and maintains legal instruments, such as leases, licenses, permits, or memorandum of agreements for the Air National Guard.

• At the Department of General Services, interprets real property appraisal policies and methods and makes recommendations concerning the acquisition, disposal, or leasing of real property.

• Assists in obtaining rights of entry and developing legal documents granting government use of land or facilities.

• Conducts courthouse record searches to determine current and historic title or lease(s) affecting the ownership of real estate.

• Reviews and interprets project maps and construction plans in order to effectively communicate with affected property owners on a proposed project.

• Searches State Tax Equalization Board assessments and transfer records to verify sale prices and assessed values of properties being investigated.

• Makes recommendations regarding office relocation, reconfigurations, and furniture specifications and coordinates space selection and layout with customers and agency procurement staff.

• Conducts continuous space use studies to ensure full and efficient use of building space.

• Researches problems impacting land values, including partial acquisitions in relation to adjacent lands, and highway and other public improvements.

• Operates motor vehicles.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of real estate methods and techniques used in real estate transactions.

• Knowledge of property management practices and procedures.

• Knowledge of the legal instruments used in the transfer, sale, and lease of real property.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of eminent domain.

• Knowledge of technical writing principles.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to identify and resolve problems.

• Ability to interpret and apply regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to analyze written and numerical information.

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.

• Ability to interpret basic maps, condemnation plans, and property descriptions.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• One year as a Real Estate Technician (commonwealth title);

or

• Two years of technical real estate experience and an associate degree;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• All positions require the possession of an active Class C driver’s license or equivalent.