Real Property Division Manager

About the position

We are currently accepting applications to fill one full-time Real Property Division Manager (Real Property Manager III job classification) in the General Services Department. This position is at-will and exempt from civil-service provisions. The current vacancy is in Santa Barbara with the ability for the incumbent to discuss a long-term hybrid telework schedule contingent upon the needs of the department. The Real Property Division of the General Services Department provides professional real property services to other County Departments, governmental agencies, and other outside entities. The Real Property office coordinates and prepares real property transactions of land acquisition and disposition, property management, and engineering or appraisal as they relate to buying, selling and leasing real property or property rights for public use.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, and directs the work of real property agents and clerical staff assigned to the division; selects, trains, and evaluates the performance of staff.
• Administers the division budget and monitors expenditures.
• Manages team performing public agency real estate transactions.
• Examines and interprets information contained in legal descriptions, engineering plans, property maps, and preliminary title reports for the purpose of buying, selling, or leasing real property or property rights for public use.
• Manages Public Works projects including condemnation suits, grants, quitclaims of fee, easement grants and other actions.
• Reviews appraisals to ensure that they include accurate assumptions and are based on appropriate principles.
• Researches property title, minimum value, rental studies, court cases, property rights, and other public and quasi-public records related to real estate transactions.
• Prepares, interprets, and negotiates deeds, easements, concession agreements, leases, licenses, franchise agreements, temporary entry permits, and purchase and sale contracts to be used in the acquisition and disposition of real property or property rights.
• Analyzes financial impact and cost-effectiveness of facilities leased/rented by the County and County properties leased/rented by others; evaluates need for disposal of any excess properties.
• Meets and confers with the public, elected officials, and appointed boards and commissions to present the County's proposals and answer questions related to real estate transactions.
• Advises and recommends actions on real property matters to County leadership and Board of Supervisors.
• Coordinates work on real property matters with other County departments, government agencies, and the general public to ensure conformance with policies and regulations and to make sure projects are completed on time.
• Confers with County Counsel on eminent domain actions related to condemnation proceedings.
• Maintains records and prepares letters, reports, and general correspondence.

Requirements

• Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Business/Public Administration, Real Estate, Economics, Planning, Engineering, or closely related field.
• Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in private or public appraisal, leasing, engineering, real property law, or acquisition or disposal of real property for public purposes, including three (3) years of supervisory or managerial experience.

Nice-to-haves

• Possession of a valid International Right of Way Association (IRWA) senior designation is strongly preferred.
• Experience executing Public Agency real estate transactions.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements, leases, franchises and licenses with utilities, private sector interests, federal, state, and local government agencies in a Public Agency.
• Experience with Public Works and Flood Control District acquisitions, condemnation suits, grants, quitclaims of fee, easement grants and other actions.
• Professional experience in negotiating leases or acquisitions and disposition of property for a public agency including Public Works transactions.
• Professional experience in evaluating and interpreting written contracts for real estate or related transactions for a public agency.
• Supervisory experience managing real property agents and other staff.
• Experience in planning, organizing, and directing the work of real property agents and clerical staff, including selecting, training, and evaluating performance.
• Experience preparing and administering budgets and monitoring expenditures, and developing and implementing recurring performance measures.
• Experience in developing administrative policies and procedures.
• Experience utilizing a computerized property acquisition and management system.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to coach, mentor and develop staff.
• Skill to delegate responsibility, accept accountability and provide regular feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with diverse groups and personalities.
• Great customer service skills and experience working with the general public.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple situations occurring simultaneously, prioritize work, and meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to lead a team, making positive contributions and assisting others as necessary.
• Professional experience using Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Collaboration Tools, and PowerPoint.

Benefits

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan.
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans.
• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans.
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Healthcare Advocacy Program.
• Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.
• Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation.
• Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit.
• County Paid Term Life Insurance.
• County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance.
• Childcare and Employee Discounts.
• Relocation Assistance may apply.
• Flexible work schedule may apply.