Right of Way Agent

Hennepin County•Medina, MN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Hennepin County's Transportation Project Delivery department is seeking two (2) Right of Way Agents to represent the county in negotiations and act as the primary point of contact and resource for the public during the acquisition process. These positions are hybrid and will be performed both on-site at the Public Works Facility located at 1600 Prairie Drive, Medina, MN 55340, locations throughout Hennepin County to meet with clients, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. While these positions are designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. These are full-time, benefit-earning positions. These positions are internally classified as a Land Acquisition Agent.

Requirements

Two or more years of college coursework in civil or transportation engineering, surveying, urban/regional planning, geography/urban studies, business, real estate or a related field and three or more years of real property appraisal or acquisition experience.
Five or more years of real property appraisal or acquisition experience.
Preparing or reviewing deeds, easements, or other real estate documents.
Researching land records, plats, ownership history, and/or title issues.
Utilizing databases and creating queries for reports, memos, and letters.
Reading and interpreting engineering drawings and plans.
Customer service experience.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to read, understand, evaluate, and explain appraisals of real property.
Ability to negotiate successfully for the purchase and disposition of real property and right of way.
Ability to communicate with staff and the public with tact and discretion.

Nice To Haves

A Minnesota Real Estate license or Real Estate Broker's license.
Experience or knowledge with right-of-way standards, appraisal processes, and federal/state requirements related to land acquisition for public projects.

Responsibilities

Conduct negotiations with landowners or their legal representatives for purchase of real property interests needed for transportation projects and/or sale dispositions no longer needed for transportation related purposes.
Prepare standardized communications, deeds, easements and other real estate related documents and recording.
Maintain system records and documents.
Prepare reports and correspondence.
Conduct basic research on land prior to acquisition or disposition.
Coordinate with staff and communicate project needs with their supervisor and peers to ensure their assigned land acquisition parcels are delivered on time and on budget.
Establish and maintain trusting working relationships with internal and external groups and individuals, including other county staff, federal, state and municipal staff, elected officials, and the public.
Work with county legal counsel on unsettled parcels throughout the condemnation process including testifying as an expert witness in a condemnation action.