Real Estate Services Specialist

Polk County Board of County Commissioners•Bartow, FL

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is an entry-level position within Real Estate Services, designed to support senior team members in the acquisition and management of real property and assets for the County. The role involves assisting with the maintenance of the County's land inventory, processing street lighting districts, and preparing vacations of rights-of-way and/or easements. The specialist will also coordinate and participate in various clerical activities to support the office's record-keeping efforts, including accounting, fiscal record keeping, work record information, employee files, time and attendance, payroll processing, worker's compensation, purchase requisitions, and property record keeping.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in right-of-way/land acquisition or office coordination.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel and occasionally climb a ladder.
Duties are primarily conducted in an office environment; however, outdoor work is also required.
Must be able to type a minimum of 35 CWPM with a maximum of 10 errors.
Must possess a valid driver's license or be able to secure a valid Florida driver's license at the time of employment.
Must be a Florida Notary Public or be able to qualify for a Florida Notary Public Commission within 30 days of employment.
Basic knowledge of the acquisition of real property as it relates to right-of-way and easements acquisition, purchase of real property through various methods (condemnation and voluntary acquisitions), disposition of surplus County property, and working with other County departments to define and vacate County easements and petitions for street lighting.
Basic knowledge of the practices and procedures required to appraise and value property.
Basic knowledge of real estate title research and conveyance processes.
Basic knowledge of the preparation, execution, and management of leases as both the lessor and lessee.
Basic knowledge of the practices and procedures associated with property and asset management, including asset tracking of real property.
Basic knowledge of maps and construction plans.
Knowledge of modern office and record keeping methods, practices, and procedures.
Knowledge of English, punctuation, spelling, and arithmetic.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to work independently and adhere to prescribed routines and practices.
Ability to prepare or draft routine documents and compose business letters, memoranda, and other related office documents.
Ability to read and interpret property legal descriptions and prepare basic conveyance documents.
Ability to cooperate and provide general care and maintenance of personal computers, office machines, and other office equipment.
Skilled in document management practices and the use of databases and other software.
Skilled in interacting with internal and external customers to work effectively with a wide variety of team members including the County Attorney's Office, County Administration, public citizens, officials, and other employees.
Skilled in problem-solving and decision-making.
Basic working knowledge of real estate law and property management techniques.

Nice To Haves

A comparable amount of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications with the exception of a Florida driver's license and qualifying for a Notary Public Commission.

Responsibilities

Assists in the acquisition of property through negotiations with property or business owners and/or their representatives to acquire necessary real property interests for right-of-way, property, and/or easements for County project construction and/or maintenance.
Assists with the disposition of County real property designated as surplus.
Processes citizen petitions for vacation of County easements and for street lighting districts.
Drafts, processes, and manages leases.
Performs document management and asset management.
Provides assistance to citizens with questions and concerns regarding real property within the County.
Assists with the preparation of settlement justifications for negotiated settlements.
Verifies legal descriptions, appraisal information, and clears title encumbrances by preparing and recording releases in preparation for acquiring real property.
Assists in preparing necessary legal instruments such as deeds, leases, titles, mortgage releases, options, agreements, and maps required to acquire property and easements.
Reviews property tax information, obtains tax prorations, and assists in closings on real property.
Assists with the preparation of condemnation suit information packages.
Maintains assigned parcels folders with proper documentation and executed/recorded documents.
Inputs and monitors data onto project status reports or systems for all acquisition activities.
Assists in the preparation of legal documents and maintains section and project files.
Prepares agendas for Board consideration.
Interprets right-of-way maps and project plans for property owners and the public.
Assists with consultant monitoring to ensure compliance with County, State, and Federal Regulations and Procedures regarding acquisition functions.
Responds to questions and concerns of property and/or business owners and interacts with other County departments, municipalities, state, and federal agencies.
Coordinates and ensures the accuracy and timely payment of costs of services, invoices, payment receipts, and other related fiscal and purchasing matters.
Oversees indirect calculation of costs and reimbursements charged against budget funds.
May assist with budget preparation as required.
Processes, maintains, records, and prepares various reports, records of transactions, and forms using personal computers, word processing, and other software.
Assembles division agendas and related materials for meetings, conferences, and other work unit needs.
May act as office receptionist and handle routine mail duties.
May be required to attend public meetings outside normal business hours to respond to citizen inquiries related to County projects.
Performs related duties as required.