SENIOR REAL ESTATE OFFICER (RIGHT-OF-WAY / REAL PROPERTY) - 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 complex real estate work in the Appraisal, Acquisition/Relocation, or Asset Management.

For Appraisal Supports: the real estate team in appraising properties needed for construction of capital projects; performs real estate appraisal functions to determine the fair market value of properties required for active projects; prepares appraisal reviews and recommends values for acquisition or rental purposes; assists with procurement, contract management, and file management related to appraisal assignments.

For Acquisition/Relocation: Supports the real estate team in acquiring properties needed for construction of capital projects; performs real estate work in acquisition and relocation functions; acquires real property required for active projects either through negotiations or eminent domain; assists internal management with special projects, including environmental investigations; assists with the oversight of outside acquisition and relocation consultants, including procurement and file management.

For Asset Management:  Supports the real estate team in managing Metro properties; assists with 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 ensures that best management practices are followed.

Examples of Duties

• Reviews title reports, real estate appraisals, and similar supporting documents and reports
• Prepares work specifications and plans for selection and guidance of independent appraisers
• Prepares value estimates for sales and rental of real property
• Conducts field inspections and responds to complaints
• Maintains real estate records and computer files
• Provides input for developing budget
• Provides guidance and assistance to junior-level and/or assigned staff
• Prepares written and oral reports, resolutions, correspondence, and legal documents
• Meets with other departments/divisions, property owners and tenants, and business and community groups to make presentations or respond to inquiries
• 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 work specifications and plans for selection and guidance of independent appraisers
• Solicits, reviews, and evaluates appraisal proposals
• Communicates with management and outside counsel regarding issues related to property owner appraisals For Acquisition/Relocation
• Negotiates with property owners or their agents for purchase or voluntary transfer of property
• Prepares offers, purchase agreements, escrow instructions, and other legal documents
• 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
• Assists with consultant procurement For Asset Management
• Coordinates use of Metro assets (land) with internal departments
• Negotiates and prepares leases, licenses, easements, and permits
• Researches and recommends market rental values
• Manages real estate contract portfolio for revenue and non-revenue producing property
• Manages property not required for immediate projects, including rental collection

  
  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

• Three years of relevant experience in real estate appraisal, acquisition, relocation, and/or property management; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment

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
• International Right of Way Association (IRWA) designation preferred
• For an Appraiser's position, a California Real Estate Appraiser License is required

Preferred Qualifications 
 
 Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected. 

The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience negotiating and preparing real estate contracts, amendments, leases, licenses, easements, permits, and notices to comply
• Experience negotiating, writing, and making recommendations for executing agreements such as leases, licenses, and right-of-entry permits within public right-of-way relating to utility relocation and new construction
• Experience in performing right-of-way tasks under Federal and State Guidelines or other applicable regulations pursuant to funding source
• Experience and understanding of titles and interpreting engineering drawings and legal descriptions
• Experience identifying, documenting, and resolving property encroachments and maintenance issues

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, and practices of real estate services, including appraisal, real estate acquisition, relocation, property management, environmental, condemnation, contracts, and general real estate law and documentation requirements
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing real estate practices, including the Uniform Relocation and Acquisition Act and the Uniform Standard of Professional Appraisal Practices (USPAP)
• Theories, principles, and practices of property management and real estate contract/leases
• Calculation of real estate contract increases including CPI (Consumer Price Index) and adjustments
• Computer systems to track and manage real estate and property management transactions
• Basic accounting principles and financial information systems
• Department policies and procedures
• Property inspection practices and procedures

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

• Negotiating and mediating, including real estate contracts, property acquisition, and settlements
• Compiling and analyzing complex data and preparing comprehensive reports
• Coordinating with multiple parties to facilitate real estate transactions
• Utilizing computer systems for real estate and GIS (geographic information system) mapping
• Computer software, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Reading and interpreting legal documents
• Preparing contract documentation
• Analyzing financial data and basic mathematics

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

• Negotiate favorable real estate transactions, prepare appropriate contract documentation, and recommend appropriate strategies
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Analyze situations, identify problems, and recommend solutions
• Exercise judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Think and resolve issues independently
• Represent Metro before the public
• Oversee assigned staff
• Travel to offsite locations
• Interact effectively with diverse group of clients and customers
• Work independently
• Manage time, prioritize workload and execute, and meet tight time constraints and deadlines
• 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.