Right of Way Agent Senior

Multnomah County • Portland, OR

9d • $44 - $54 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Multnomah County Department of Community Services (DCS) is looking for a full-time (1.0 FTE) Right of Way Agent Senior to join our Transportation team! As a Right of Way (ROW) Agent Senior you will act as the subject matter expert to our Road Engineering teams, Transportation Planners and the Administrative staff. You will manage, oversee, and conduct all types of research, outreach and negotiations for easement and fee acquisitions for asset management, capital project construction, road maintenance, and development review for the Multnomah County Transportation Division. The ROW Agent Senior performs and oversees all aspects of complex professional property acquisition work requiring a substantial level of professional training and experience. In this position, your focus will be on the right of way needs of Multnomah County’s transportation network including over 290 miles of roads and the county operated Willamette River Bridges.

The Multnomah County Transportation Division manages and preserves the County road infrastructure and provides a safe and efficient transportation system that supports economic and community vitality. With 297 miles of roads, 6 Willamette River bridges, over 20 smaller bridges, and over 1,750 culverts to manage, our staff is committed to maintaining the community’s livability. Our primary goals are to help people safely get to where they need to go, to protect the public investment by preserving our transportation infrastructure, to support social equity and economic well being, and to help plan for the future transportation needs of Multnomah County. As part of the Department of Community Services, it is our department's mission is to preserve harmony between natural and built environments, keep people and pets safe, and ensure every voice is heard through a diverse group of programs including Land Use Planning, Transportation, Animal Services, Elections, and Business Services. This department is an incredibly diverse department and your role will be too.

At Multnomah County we are committed to maintaining an effective, respectful and inclusive workplace. We value collaborative problem solving and strive for continuous improvement. We strongly believe in workforce equity, diversity and inclusion. Visit our Workforce Equity Strategies Plan (WESP) to see where Multnomah County is headed with these values.

Multnomah County is located in Northwestern Oregon where the Columbia and Willamette rivers meet. The County covers 465 square miles and encompasses the Portland metropolitan area including the cities of Portland, Gresham, Lake Oswego, and five other cities. With over 800,000 residents, Multnomah County is Oregon's most populous county. More than 5,600 Multnomah County employees provide citizens with a wide range of health and human services, public safety services and other government programs.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Communications, or related field (we will consider equivalent work related experience in lieu of a degree)
• Three (3) years of experience in right-of-way related work which includes any combination of real estate appraisal, property law, acquisition/negotiation, property management, title examination, condemnation, or other closely related experience.
• Must possess a driver's license valid in the State of Oregon and have an acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply federal, state and local laws and policies and plans as they relate to right of way acquisition by public agencies, including just compensation and eminent domain
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, in writing, via presentations, to audiences ranging from the County board of commissioners and state legislators to regional partners, peers, staff, the public, and property owners
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department staff, other County employees, vendors, contractors, community partners, elected officials, the public, and property owners
• Ability to lead through collaboration, team building, mentoring, and coaching, and model this leadership style for others
• Experience implementing street vacations and/or surplusing property
• Experience with the concepts, methods and techniques for appraising real property and establishing market value
• Knowledge of the basic principles and practices of property and contract law, including appropriate procedures and documents to convey acquired property rights.
• Experience reading and interpreting maps, engineering drawings and sketches, as well as researching and establishing property ownership.
• Technological proficiency in computer applications such as Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace (including spreadsheets) and communication platforms.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, lead, and manage right of way tasks for projects with federal, state, and local agencies, engineering firms, right of way services providers and the county attorney’s office to ensure acquisitions comply with laws, rules, and regulations while meeting overall project schedule and budget goals
• Manage and perform property title research, negotiate with property owners, and advise on development review requirements and right of way vacations
• Develop right-of-way acquisition strategies which support transportation project goals
• Manage project deliverables of consultants for legal descriptions, appraisals, and acquisition documentation
• Review construction plans to determine property rights required to complete transportation projects
• Present information and explain procedures to the public and private property owners pertaining to past, present and future right-of-way acquisitions and capital project details
• Research, manage, and present information regarding right of way purchases and dedications
• Plan, design, and present county position at public hearings on proposed and planned right-of-way acquisition projects
• Develop and maintain meticulous and clear records on right of way needs for capital projects
• Ensure strict compliance with grant requirements, federal documentation, program goals, and public expectations
• Effectively communicate with the public, impacted property owners, contractors, consultants, and County staff on all stages of capital project right of way phases from project concept to completed construction

Benefits

• Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more.

What This Job Offers

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