Real Estate Specialist II - Denver

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Real Estate Specialist II delivers real estate acquisition and project management services for Region 1 transportation initiatives. The position manages public relations and community engagement throughout project development, negotiates and executes real estate acquisitions, and works with the Office of the Attorney General when amicable settlements cannot be reached in a timely manner. It also serves as a liaison among Engineering, Right of Way, and Utilities, and manages designated federal-aid Local Agency Projects. The role reviews project plans and specifications, researches property and ownership records, coordinates referrals and approvals, reviews appraisals and fair market values, and maintains acquisition files and tracking information. It prepares offer, settlement, and closing documents; coordinates with title companies, attorneys, legal counsel, and internal project staff; negotiates with property owners and tenants; and supports condemnation actions when settlements are not reached. The specialist conducts site inspections and landowner meetings, explains project impacts and compensation, and helps identify potential engineering design concerns and encroachments. The position primarily works 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. After training, the employee works a hybrid schedule. Work includes travel throughout Region 1 during the workday, and occasional overnight stays may be needed for landowner meetings or training. Operating CDOT vehicles is required. The position is open only to Colorado residents.

Requirements

Five years of experience in lease administration, contract management, regulatory interpretation and implementation, and revenue collection; at least one year must involve public or nonprofit administration, business analysis, real estate acquisition, real estate document review or abstracting/title work, property management, property valuation, land surveying, or Right of Way document/plan review and comment.
Alternatively, a combination of related education and experience totaling five years, including a bachelor’s degree in real estate law, real estate management, and/or petroleum land management, and experience in a listed related area.
A current valid driver’s license is required for positions that require operating a state or personal motor vehicle to perform essential functions.
Must pass pre-employment screening, which may include social security number trace and criminal, public court, educational, and driving records checks.
Must be a Colorado resident.
Must submit a complete application and required supporting materials as specified in the posting.
Ability to travel throughout Region 1 during the workday and potentially stay overnight for landowner meetings or training.
Ability to operate CDOT vehicles.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success with the duties described for the position.
State service experience related to the position’s duties.
High work and personal ethics and integrity.
Knowledge of real estate law, theory, and practice, including document preparation, acquisitions, closings, fair market valuation, condemnations, and property leasing and management in a transportation context.
Familiarity with reading Right of Way plans or similar plan sets.
Proficiency with relational database software.
Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills, including explaining complex technical information in plain language.
Strong customer service skills and experience dealing with difficult customers and situations.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, reasoning, and decision-making skills.
Attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to work sensitively with the public, professionals, consultants, and staff, considering their needs, priorities, promises, and commitments.
Effective interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Ability to negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and build consensus.
Excellent planning, organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and projects in a demanding environment.
Resourcefulness, initiative in gathering information, and ability to foster solutions.
Ability to work independently and conduct effective research.
Initiative in solving problems innovatively.
Ability to learn quickly from others and work in a team environment.
Strong computer skills, including fluency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Gmail, Adobe Pro, and SAP, and ability to learn other software systems quickly.

Responsibilities

Review and evaluate Right of Way plans, construction drawings, and project specifications, and communicate project benefits and impacts to property owners and tenants.
Research parcel histories and ownership information using county, city, CDOT, court, and Secretary of State records.
Coordinate internal referrals, review appraisals and fair market values, and obtain required approvals.
Maintain organized, current acquisition parcel files and tracking information according to Right of Way Manual standards.
Prepare written offer packages using information from engineering, environmental, and appraisal reports, in accordance with state and federal law.
Negotiate with property owners, tenants, or representatives to acquire real estate interests and address potential construction problems.
Analyze property-owner counteroffers and prepare written recommendations for administrative settlements.
Prepare settlement agreements, closing documents, contact logs, and other acquisition documentation; coordinate with title companies, attorneys, and legal counsel as needed.
Order title services and coordinate acquisition closings, maintaining working relationships with title companies and obtaining title commitments.
Conduct property site inspections and meet with landowners in person to explain proposed impacts, deliver correspondence, and review agreements.
Review appraisal valuation information and explain the department’s offer and supporting appraisal to affected parties, with senior specialist assistance as needed.
Provide owners with plans or exhibits to explain total compensation and existing or proposed property restrictions.
Identify potential engineering design concerns and encroachments that may not have been recognized during project development.
Prepare and submit condemnation packages to the Office of the Attorney General for acquisitions that do not settle, working with senior specialists and the Acquisition/Relocation Supervisor.
Support other Right of Way staff during negotiations and help senior specialists prepare project timelines.
Copy and transmit original closing documents to the Project Management Branch and maintain regional copies in the database or as physical records, as directed by the supervisor.
Serve as a liaison among Engineering, Right of Way, and Utilities and manage designated federal-aid Local Agency Projects.