Land Acquisition Project Specialist

King County•Seattle, WA

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

This recruitment is open to both internal and external applicants and will be used to fill a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position or Special Duty Assignment (SDA), with an anticipated duration of up three (3) years, with the possibility of being extended. The Regulatory Compliance and Land Acquisition Services unit is seeking a Land Acquisition Project Specialist (Real Property Agent III), to join the dynamic Land Acquisition team. This presents an excellent opportunity to become a key member of a highly efficient team dedicated to ensuring customer satisfaction. Our focus is on delivering expert guidance and strategies to projects and managing the processes necessary to secure property rights and provide relocation assistance for the delivery of capital projects. The Regulatory Compliance and Land Acquisition Services unit advances the values of King County and the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) by protecting public health and the environment and providing equitable, inclusive services to residents and businesses across King County. To our agency, success means clean water. It means keeping a promise to the next generation that our beautiful environment will be there for them to enjoy. It also means being accountable to our ratepayers and operating a well-managed agency. We are committed to the principles of equity and social justice. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. This opportunity is great for anyone looking for an organization that empowers continued learning, supports our values of work/life balance, is passionate about the right-of-way industry, and is dedicated to preserving the beauty and health of the Puget Sound region. About the Role: As a Land Acquisition Project Specialist (Real Property Agent III), you will be responsible for managing all aspects of the property acquisition and relocation assistance process, from initial scoping to construction and closeout for projects within the Capital Program. This includes managing consultants, negotiating property transactions, and ensuring that every stage of the process runs smoothly. The ideal candidate should possess skills in developing consultant scopes of work, managing consultants, building strategies for risk identification and mitigation, developing and managing project schedules, tracking critical path deliverables, negotiating real estate transactions, relocation assistance processes, and performing QA/QC review of work products. They should also be proficient in utilizing reporting tools and records management systems and certifying that projects comply with the Uniform Act (49 CFR Part 24) as well as State/County laws, regulations, and policies. This role demands excellent written communication skills and the ability to ask questions, seek feedback, learn from others, share expertise, and maintain an open and positive attitude. As a subject matter expert, this position will collaborate with colleagues to strategize methods for delivering property rights for construction projects. This position requires a proactive detail-oriented mindset, a positive attitude, excellent organizational skills, and willingness to be open to constructive criticism. Additionally, the ability to manage and track multiple projects and tasks simultaneously is crucial. If you are someone who enjoys tackling challenges, establishing meaningful connections, working in a collaborative project management environment and working on complex property and relocation matters, this role is an ideal fit for you. About the Team: The Regulatory Compliance and Land Acquisition teams play a critical role in advancing King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s vision of protecting public health and enhancing the environment through sustainable wastewater management. This presents an excellent opportunity to become a key member of a highly efficient team dedicated to ensuring customer satisfaction. Our focus is on delivering expert guidance, supporting programs and projects as subject matter experts, and securing property rights needed for the construction of projects. This role emphasizes a strong commitment to customer service, excellent communication skills, a focus on work-life balance, and fostering a collaborative work environment to contribute to essential public projects for our community. Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice: King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Land Acquisition Project Specialist, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity . Apply now for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, c omprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

Requirements

Experience in interpreting and implementing real property acquisitions in compliance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (49 CFR Part 24), and/or applicable state laws, regulations, and policies.
Experience identifying and developing right-of-way strategies, schedules (including permitting dependencies and milestone deliverables), and plans to ensure the successful and timely delivery of real property requirements.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience facilitating group discussions, writing reports and memos, and preparing presentations.
Demonstrated experience managing consultants, project schedules, delivery of right-of-way deliverables and working on large capital project teams for utility, transportation, and/or public works projects for the delivery of property rights for projects.
Experience working in a project management environment, understanding contract procurement processes, writing contract language and developing scopes of work for consultant services.
Experience in the right-of-way industry supporting government infrastructure projects, including negotiating real estate transactions, reviewing and interpreting property title information, understanding appraisal reports and valuation methodologies, and knowledge of relocation assistance processes.
Notary Public with electronic endorsement or ability to obtain once hired.
Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to provide transportation to remote work locations with limited or no public transportation service options.

Nice To Haves

Certification and training/courses through the International Right of Way Association (or similar) are desirable although not required.
Training/courses and certification through the Project Management Institute (PMI) are highly desirable although not required.

Responsibilities

Manage and track the entire property acquisition and relocation process, develop and manage project schedules, track deliverables, and ensure compliance with the Uniform Act (49 CFR Part 24) and other laws and regulations for multiple capital projects.
Maintain detailed, transparent, and accurate documentation to support and ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Develop and review consultant scopes of work, level of effort estimates, and support the development of construction contract language.
Direct and manage consultant work and track consultants' progress.
Build strategies for risk identification and mitigation.
Perform QA/QC reviews of work products.
Utilize reporting and records management tools.
Collaborate with colleagues on project strategies.
Strengthen team culture.
Participate and vocalize issues and thoughts in project meetings.
Possess excellent written communication, project management experience, understanding of contract procurement processes, government property acquisition and relocation assistance processes, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Experience reviewing and interpreting engineering drawings, developing and reviewing acquisition and relocation strategies, schedules (including permitting dependencies and milestone deliverables), and plans to ensure the successful and timely delivery of real property and tenant relocation requirements.
Analyze, prepare, and negotiate real estate transactions.
Review various real property agreements and approvals such as deeds, easements, leases, permits, and licenses.
Examine real estate titles and understand legal descriptions to conduct in-depth reviews of title histories for properties to identify any issues that necessitate resolution.
Thorough understanding of right-of-way industry processes, real estate laws and valuation of complex properties including damages to remainder, and temporary construction rights.
Understand the Uniform Act relocation assistance processes and legal requirements.
Manage consultants to develop comprehensive relocation plans, calculate relocation benefits, develop justification documentation, and implement relocation assistance to individuals and businesses displaced due to the acquisition of real property rights.
Understand computer software tools, with the interest and aptitude to continue developing these skills, including working with platforms such as Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Excel, other Microsoft Office products, Oracle products, database systems), and other software-based tools.