PRINCIPAL REAL ESTATE OFFICER (ACQUISITION/RELOCATION) - Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

Performs highly complex real estate work in Appraisal, Acquisition/Relocation, or Asset Management.

For Appraisal: Performs: highly complex real estate appraisals functions to determine the fair market value of properties required for active projects; prepares appraisal reviews and recommends values for acquisition or rental purposes; and coordinates procurement, contract management, and file management related to appraisal assignments.

For Acquisition/Relocation: Performs highly complex real estate acquisition and relocation functions; acquires real property required for active projects either through negotiations or eminent domain; provides oversight and coordination for internal management of special projects, including environmental investigations; provides oversight and management of outside acquisition and relocation consultants, including procurement, contract management, and file management.

For Asset Management:  Coordinates real estate leasing and access agreements for real estate activities adjacent to, over, or under Metro right-of-way (ROW), with both private property owners and internal agency departments to ensure that transit services are not interrupted and safety is maintained; and establishes and follows best management practices.

Examples of Duties

• Performs a broad range of complex, cross-sectional real estate and right-of-way functions
• Plans and manages real estate projects
• Reviews title reports, appraisals, and similar support documents and reports
• Assists management in preparing real estate revenue goals and budget reports estimating real estate related costs
• Inspects real estate both in person and using computer programs to document conditions
• Evaluates Metro's real estate needs, identifies opportunities to enhance safety and revenues, and recommends policies and procedures to enhance department efficiency and accuracy of management of assets
• Prepares written and oral reports, resolutions, correspondence, and legal documents
• Represents the department in meetings with other departments/divisions, property owners and tenants, and business and community groups to make presentations or respond to inquiries
• Provides oversight and management of outside consultants
• Provides leadership, guidance, and advice to staff on complex real estate issues
• Provides training to support staff on real estate related functions
• Coordinates work activity of both professional and administrative staff when working on special projects
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out For Appraisal
• Analyzes property requirements to understand the potential impacts to the property
• Prepares appraisal scope of work, reviews real estate appraisals for thoroughness and professional completion, and prepares appraisals as appropriate
• Communicates with management and outside counsel regarding issues that are significant in appraisals prepared for property owners For Acquisition/Relocation
• Negotiates with property owners or their agents for purchase or voluntary transfer of property
• Coordinates with escrow and title companies relative to ownership and conditions of title
• Prepares and presents relocation related notices
• Reviews and processes relocation claims and payments
• Provides oversight on acquisition and relocation delivery milestones
• Solicits consultant(s) for the preparation and review of environmental investigation reports For Asset Management
• Coordinates use of Metro assets (land) with internal departments
• Executes agreements that enable safe, short-term use of or access to Metro land
• Manages assets sensibly to reduce Metro expenses for maintenance and upkeep

  
  May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Engineering, or a related field

Experience

• Five years of relevant experience in real estate services, requiring at least two years specialized experience in area of assignment, such as eminent domain, property appraisal review, etc.; experience in municipal government real estate management preferred

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Senior Right of Way Agent (SRWA) Designation preferred
• For an Appraiser's position, a California Real Estate Appraiser License is required

• Experience providing Right of Way services in compliance with local, state, and federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act (URA)
• Experience working on multiple projects simultaneously with multi-disciplinary internal and external teams
• Experience managing milestone schedules, budgets and risks, and authoring reports for project progress
• Experience reading and interpreting right of way plans, title reports and appraisals
• Experience supervising third-party consultants and contractors

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, processes, procedures, and practices of real estate services, including appraisal, property management, and documentation requirements
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing real estate practices, processes, and procedures
• Basic real estate law and eminent domain law
• Theories, principles, and practices of land use planning and regulations
• Applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations governing public acquisition policies
• Financial calculations relating to real estate
• Various areas of Los Angeles County, including cities and neighborhoods
• Computer applications, particularly as related to the analysis and maintenance of property information and records
• Computer software, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and financial calculator

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Conducting real estate research and appraisals
• Understanding and analyzing complex planning concepts
• Interacting professionally with all level of Metro employees and external parties
• Preparing reports and correspondence
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Using real estate specific software
• Reading and interpreting legal documents
• Preparing contract documentation
• Analyzing financial data and basic mathematics
• Supervising, training, and motivating team members

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Perform analysis of real estate issues, identify problems, and recommend solutions
• Think and act independently
• Proofread and write scopes of work
• Conduct planning studies and act as a project manager
• Negotiate favorable real estate transactions, prepare appropriate contract documentation, and recommend appropriate strategies
• Exercise judgment and creativity in making decisions, and sensitivity in politically charged areas or projects
• Represent Metro before the public
• Work successfully and accurately under tight time restraints
• Organize and manage many projects concurrently
• Travel to offsite locations
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program. Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.

Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro location:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.  Late applications will not be considered.

*Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.