Business Support Specialist

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

• 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.
• 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).

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.

Special Requirements

• 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