Real Property Specialist (Utilities)

Primary Role

To perform various duties and responsibilities in support of the Company’s real property matters.

Key Accountabilities

• Assists in processing and closing of acquisitions and transfers of real property and easements to and from third parties, including developers, to support the expansion of the business.
• Performs simple negotiations; inspects property to be acquired; contacts property owners to obtain permission for a variety of activities such as surveying, staking, and environmental or geo-technical studies.
• Assist legal counsel and engineering staff in the negotiating and drafting of agreements with developers and owners for project infrastructure requirements.
• Prepares, processes and tracks appraisal contracts and title orders; communicates with Finance and Capital teams for proper coding and documentation. Examines title, clears title exceptions as necessary and orders title policies.
• Assembles comparable sales data for review by other personnel for use in appraisal reviews, determinations of value, and preliminary estimates of value.
• Assists in preparation of preliminary project estimates for funding requests. Provides right-of-way related information to the public, both individually and in groups, and to other staff members upon request.
• Researches property rights issues as requested.
• Manages real property records and processing to archives.
• May assist other departments as requested.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge/Skills

• Basic principles and methods of negotiating, appraising, and determining ownership of property rights.
• Laws and procedures pertaining to the acquisition of land property descriptions, transactions, and title records.
• Standard systems of filing real property records.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).
• Communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals orally and in writing.
• Able to work independently with a minimum of instructions. Understand and execute oral and written instructions. Able to locate, read and interpret title reports, legal documents, maps, plans, sketches, and legal descriptions.
• Conduct thorough research on property related matters utilizing a wide variety of resources.
• File a variety of materials according to departmental standards.
• Prepare reports of activities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, property owners and the public.

Experience/Education

• High school diploma or GED; preferred Associate Degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
• Requires a minimum three (3) years of experience in property related field such as title researching, real property records or appraisal; OR, any combination of training and/or experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• Completion of or ability to complete IR/WA Course 101, Principles of Right-of-Way Acquisition is required within one (1) year of employment.
• The position requires a valid California Class C Driver’s license with minimal moving violations.
• A valid CA State Notary Public appointment or the ability to acquire a valid notary within sixty (90) days of employment.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in the office with frequent work in the various district offices and field making site visits. Physical hazard from traffic and driving in varying weather conditions may be present. Meetings or project requirements involve working evenings or weekends as necessary.

Competencies