Real Property Specialist Principal

Maricopa County•Phoenix, AZ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Maricopa County Real Estate Department is seeking a highly experienced, strategic, and detail-driven title professional to serve as a Real Property Specialist Principal. This principal-level role provides subject matter expertise and leadership in support of land rights research, acquisitions, property dispositions, and complex title matters at the County level. As the Real Property Specialist Principal, you will be responsible for conducting and overseeing in-depth land rights research and title examination in support of Maricopa County and the Flood Control District of Maricopa County real property acquisition and disposition programs, as well as complex and high-profile special projects related to land rights. This position serves as the Department’s senior technical authority on title matters and advises executive leadership, County management, and legal counsel on title risk, encumbrances, prior rights, and regulatory compliance. As one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, the Maricopa County Real Estate Department plays a vital role in shaping our community’s future. We partner with departments and agencies across the County to acquire land, facilities, and improvements that support major infrastructure projects and expanding workforce needs. Our team also manages the full lifecycle of County-owned real property from maintaining accurate real estate data to overseeing leases, licenses, and property dispositions. We are an innovative, collaborative, and results-driven team committed to building a strong Maricopa County. Make us your next career move and be part of something that makes a real impact.

Requirements

Four years of progressively responsible experience as a Title Examiner, Title Officer, Registered Land Surveyor in the State of Arizona, or similar, including experience handling complex title matters and public agency acquisitions
Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Real Estate or Business Law, Surveying, or a closely related field
A combination of post-secondary education and/or job-related experience may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Nice To Haves

Extensive, principal-level experience conducting complex title examination and performing advanced prior rights analysis
Experience serving as the lead or subject matter expert on public infrastructure or right-of-way acquisitions projects
Experience managing condemnation support files and preparing title evidence for litigation
Experience developing policies, standard operating procedures, or training materials related to title research or records management.
Experience advising executive leadership or legal counsel on the title risk and mitigation strategies
A National Title Professional designation from the American Land Title Association

Responsibilities

Leads and performs highly complex title research and examination activities; reviews, analyzes, and interprets public records, legal documents, maps, plats, statutes, regulations, survey notes, and legal descriptions to determine vesting title, encumbrances, prior rights, legal description deficiencies, and overall quality of title to rights-of-way and fee simple estates.
Serves as the Department’s principal subject matter expert on title matters; provides strategic guidance and formal recommendations to Department leadership, the County Attorney’s Office, and project managers regarding title risk, curative strategies, and regulatory compliance
Reviews, adjudicates, and approves title reports in support of acquisitions, dispositions, condemnations, intergovernmental transfers, and public inquiries; prepares complex title documentation consistent with jurisdictional and statutory requirements.
Leads the development and execution of complex title-clearing strategies; prepares and oversees historical chains of title for quiet title actions, litigation support, and condemnation proceedings.
Provides principal-level coordination and oversight with internal teams and external stakeholders regarding surveys, legal descriptions, easements, parcel descriptions, annexations, intergovernmental agreements, and right-of-way transfers
Performs oversight of the MCRED Document Retention Program; establishes internal processes, quality control standards, and process improvements in alignment with Department objectives and leadership.
Performs and oversees utility prior rights analysis and regulatory review in support of public infrastructure projects
Negotiates and prepares complex legal instruments related to acquisitions, dispositions, easements, land right transfers or extinguishments, and abandonment proceedings in accordance with County policies, resolutions, and Arizona Revised Statutes.
Represents the Department in meetings with County and District leadership, appointed or elected officials, property owners, attorneys, consultants, and governmental agencies to resolve complex title matters.

Benefits

Work with a greater purpose
Tuition reimbursement
Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedule options
Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center, Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 12% monthly contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
Economical and comprehensive healthcare options
Robust retirement plans
Tuition and loan payment programs
Multiple paid leave options