Realty Specialist

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Saint Paul, MN

8d

About The Position

This Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation is for recruiting and appointing qualified candidates to competitive-service positions in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) real estate program. The incumbent will work on civil works real estate projects within the St. Paul District.

The Realty Specialist partners with multidisciplinary technical teams, project managers, and local sponsors to define project boundaries, identify constraints, and establish property criteria. The position reviews appraisal reports, boundary maps, and land titles to develop negotiating strategies with private landowners, corporations, and municipal entities. It also drafts, negotiates, and administers outgrant instruments, including leases, licenses, and permits; manages transaction data in registries such as REMIS and RFMIS; participates in complex, high-impact realty cases; and applies federal real-property statutes, regulations, executive orders, agency policies, and applicable state and local requirements.

The position requires a valid state driver's license, which the incumbent must possess or obtain and maintain. Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination based on a background investigation. The position has a 25% temporary-duty or business-travel requirement and generally requires a one-year probationary period. Multiple positions may be filled. Permanent Change of Station costs are not authorized; recruitment incentives may be authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship; the announcement states that applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Possess or obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license.
• Meet the qualifications for either GS-09 or GS-11 through specialized experience, education, or a combination of education and experience.
• For GS-09 specialized experience: one year creating preliminary real estate plans and project cost estimates by studying land maps; managing standard property leases, permits, or licenses; and drafting deeds, land contracts, or official letters after researching federal regulations and property history. This experience is typical of work at the GS-07 level.
• For GS-09 education in lieu of experience: a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, in a field demonstrating the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities, such as real estate.
• For GS-09 combination qualification: education and experience may be combined if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.
• For GS-11 specialized experience: one year leading multidisciplinary teams or coordinating with local sponsors on complex civil works projects; resolving difficult negotiations for high-value land acquisitions, complex easements, and relocation benefits by evaluating appraisal disputes; and interpreting federal laws, agency policies, or legal precedents to finalize legally binding deeds or complex land contracts. This experience is typical of work at the GS-09 level.
• For GS-11 education in lieu of experience: a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, in a field demonstrating the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities, such as business administration.
• For GS-11 combination qualification: education and experience may be combined if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.
• Foreign education used to meet qualification requirements must be evaluated as equivalent to U.S. accredited education, or receive full credit for courses at a U.S.-accredited college or university.
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination based on a completed background investigation.
• A one-year probationary period may apply unless the appointee has previously met the requirements described in 5 CFR Part 11.
• Complete temporary-duty or business travel up to 25% of the time.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.

Responsibilities

• Partner with multidisciplinary technical teams, project managers, and local sponsors to define project boundaries, identify constraints, and establish property criteria.
• Review appraisal reports, boundary maps, and land titles to establish negotiating strategies with private landowners, corporations, and municipal entities.
• Draft, negotiate, and administer outgrant instruments, including leases, licenses, and permits, for public and private entities.
• Manage transactional data within database registries such as REMIS and RFMIS to ensure data integrity.
• Participate in complex and high-impact realty cases.
• Apply federal real-property statutes, regulations, executive orders, agency policies, and applicable state and local requirements.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available to eligible employees and their families; eligibility depends on position type.
• Recruitment incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level