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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00167933 |
Description Activated On: 5/26/2026 7:23:55 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. Plans, directs, organizes, and controls all activities of the District's Right-of-Way Unit including negotiations, title searching, appraising, claims settlement, relocation advisory assistance, property management, scheduling and review, and related property acquisition functions for the design, construction, and maintenance of the transportation system in a six county area, including a large and urbanized metropolitan area. Assures compliance to the Highway Beautification Act as it pertains to outdoor advertising and junkyards. Provides advice and input regarding complex right of way issues in other Engineering Districts. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Supervises a technical and clerical staff engaged in activities necessary to acquire, manage, and dispose of real property involved in engineering projects; and in activities related to the relocation and occupancy of public and private utilities in areas of proposed roadway and bridge construction. Provides operational guidance to assigned field offices on all aspects of right-of-way activities and assures the timely completion of projects. Supervises all activities necessary for the acquisition of rights-of-way for highway construction purposes in the District. Advises and assists in the formulating of proposals and recommending procedures pertaining to right-of-way activities. Expedites right-of-way activities in the District and assures work is accomplished in accordance with established principles, procedures, and techniques. Coordinates right-of-way activities with District design, construction, and maintenance divisions. Reviews non-Departmental projects (HOPs, locals, etc.) for compliance to property acquisition procedures Conducts bi-weekly right-of-way staff meetings to review project status and communicate changing goals and objectives of the Department. Consults as required with the project managers during the development of the project right-of- way plan including providing acquisition related review comments. Oversees preparation of appraisals and composes letters for all claims to assure that they are in compliance with federal and state procedures. Oversees the negotiations section during claim negotiations for all claims to assure that they are in compliance with federal and state procedures. Approves or makes recommendations of administrative settlements, determining when to file declarations of taking and facilitation of post condemnation settlements when appropriate. Completes all necessary payments to claimants and requesting right-of-way clearances. Coordinates District activities related to any boards of view or court trials that may arise as a result of right-of-way claims. Makes recommendations for any necessary fee appraisers or negotiators to supplement District staff necessary to meet the let schedule and oversees the selection and procurement process. Analyzes difficult and unusual appraisal and acquisition claim issues, and recommends and advises District, consultant, and any partner and stakeholder on how to handle the claim. Communicates with representatives of the Department’s legal, design, construction, maintenance, and right-of-way units in addition to political subdivisions, and all state and federal agencies on right-of-way matters. Advises and assists the Assistant District Executive-Design in formulating proposals and development of procedures pertaining to right-of-way activities inclusive of broad programmatic impacts to the State-wide right of way acquisition program. Advise and assists Executives and other Districts, Central Office, FHWA or agencies throughout the Commonwealth when there are unusual, complex, unique, or unprecedented issues relating to real estate transactions or Department property rights such as: - Complex railroad acquisitions, which can have many layers of ownership, trackage rights, reversionary rights and leasehold interests - Federal land acquisitions overseen by the US Postal Service, FAA (for airport properties), and properties governed by the National Park Service - Acquisitions involving mining properties and mineral rights, which are complex due to the layers of real property rights and the various laws and regulations that govern them - Providing expert testimony in court proceedings for tort litigation cases relating to Department property rights - Complicated and unique Highway Occupancy Permit projects with large developers and elected officials involving major economic impact and state-owned infrastructure Secures and maintains right-of-way acquired for projects until construction begins and disposes of any surplus machinery, equipment, or inventory that is acquired as part of a right-of-way claim. Coordinates all right-of-way dispositions and joint use lease activities as necessary including maintaining an inventory of all excess right-of-way and tracking joint use lease development, updates, and payments. Tracks and renews maintenance of stock site leases as necessary to support the county maintenance operations and facilitating acquisition of stock sites when required. Oversees the review and processing of sign permit applications received and issuing of permits. Oversees the annual sign surveillance of all controlled routes, submission of monthly sign surveillance reports, and tracking/follow-up of illegal signs identified during surveillance. Oversees the review and processing of junkyard license application issuing of licenses, the annual license renewals, and necessary follow-up on illegal junkyards. Participates in project status meetings and tracking the District letting schedule to set priorities and to assure right-of-way clearances are obtained to avoid project delays. Supports right-of-way staff on field decisions and provides technical assistance for all District operations. Directs and monitors the training and experience requirements necessary for the District’s appraisal certification and real estate quality assurance initiatives. Plans, assigns, prioritizes, and evaluates work of subordinates. Interviews and selects employees, evaluates employee performance, approves or disapproves leave requests, initiates disciplinary action, determines subordinate training needs, coaches and counsels employees, and resolves problems. Recognizing that everyone is involved in the District’s and County’s actions to demonstrate sound environmental practices, each employee fulfills the maintenance unit business plan objectives related to the Strategic Environmental Management Program (SEMP). Performs related duties as assigned. Safety: 1. Assess your environment and be responsible for your safety, the safety of co-workers, and the public. 2. Attend required safety training and adhere to the requirements of all safety manuals, policies, and laws. 3. Immediately report to your supervisor any incident, unsafe practice, or near miss. 4. When in an enclosed environment (office buildings, confined spaces, flagger stations, equipment pinch points, etc.), know your evacuation process and escape route, your communication protocols, and appropriately react in the event of an incident. 5. Promote a CULTURE that emphasizes SAFETY as a core value: - Immediately stop any unsafe actions. - Incorporate safety into all discussions, deliberations, and decisions. - Continuously communicate the safety direction. - Inspire employees to be a MODEL for safety. - Encourage and support safety initiatives and programs by participating and involving your staff. - Recognize safety daily. - Acknowledge EXTRAORDINARY achievements. - Learn and improve through After Action Reviews (AARs). - Enforce accountability. Succession Planning: Take an active role in succession planning by completing a Career Development Plan in collaboration with the supervisor. In conjunction with the supervisor, participate in knowledge management/transfer by identifying key aspects of the job and sharing explicit and tacit program/technical knowledge with other employees. Actively engage in succession planning by assessing potential vacancies; identifying current and future critical needs and competencies; and assessing the interest, availability, and readiness of current staff and candidate pools. Work with employees to complete and maintain a Career Development Plan. Engage employees and recognize employees and their accomplishments. Establish a mechanism to identify, capture, and share explicit and tacit program/technical knowledge among staff. Fair Labor Standards Act: Understand your responsibilities as a supervisor under the FLSA to ensure that employees are paid appropriately for hours they work or are allowed to work – i.e. all time spent furthering the business of the Department. Ensure that your employees are performing work only within their regularly-assigned shift hours, unless overtime has been directed and approved in advance of completed work. There should be no confusion as to when work has officially started or ended. Ensure that all hours employees work are fully accounted for on payroll sheets. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Reviews and determines current right-of-way project status to ensure District letting goals are met. Discusses and provides guidance on complex acquisition or relocation issues. Monitors project status and assignments and evaluates performance of consultants and staff. Assists in the selection and contracting with right of way consultants. Coordinates, supports, and provides analysis to Department legal counsel. Assignments are received in broad outline and completed work is reviewed by an administrative superior for results obtained and adherence to established policies and objectives. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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