Right of Way Agent

About the position

The Real Property Division manages right-of-way acquisitions for Harris County. The division has openings for Right of Way Agents to handle property acquisitions and to assist with relocations. The Right of Way (ROW) Agent coordinates activities to deliver the phase of the project assigned. The ROW Agent will negotiate for land acquisitions and acquire private property for public use. The reason for each acquisition may vary. Harris County is heavily involved with construction to improve infrastructure as well as buy-out programs to improve resilience to future flooding. The ROW Agent will act as a liaison between various departments connected to a project and the general public, including homeowners, legal representatives, and industry stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Prioritizes activities and tasks to deliver Harris County projects on time.
• Manages all assignments to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal rules and regulations.
• Collaborates with all sections of the Real Property Division for efficient project delivery.
• Provides project support activities for the Engineering Department.
• Conducts field investigations to review routes and sites to be acquired.
• Determines property ownership through investigation of records, field inspections, or other available means.
• Understands, produces, and maintains correspondence records and agreements along with project files.
• Reviews legal documents, maps, and plans with a basic understanding of content.
• Participates in meetings with stakeholders, the public, and clients as needed.
• Meets engineering and construction schedules by obtaining the necessary right of way within the allotted time.
• Updates tasks in the work management system timely and accurately.
• Works with the County Attorney's Office to prepare legal instruments for property rights and land usage.
• Ensures all project documents are timely submitted to Commissioners Court for approval.
• Supports and participates in department initiatives and process improvements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in real estate or a related field; or Four (4) years of experience in right-of-way acquisition; or Texas real estate license with 4 years of experience for ROW Agent I.
• Bachelor's Degree with an emphasis in real estate or a related field and two (2) years of documented work experience as a ROW agent, utility coordinator, appraiser, relocation agent, or related work for ROW Agent II.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including proper grammar and spelling.
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, the general public, industry representatives, and other government agencies.
• Must be attentive to detail and have effective problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage a project with minimal supervision.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and customer service skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with both internal and external teams.
• Must be flexible and able to adapt to changing conditions and priorities.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and a good driving record.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access).
• Must maintain a high level of confidentiality, judgment, personal responsibility, and dependability.

Nice-to-haves

• Member of professional associations, such as the International Right of Way Association.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, legal documents relating to real estate, and right of way transactions.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Wellness
• Professional development opportunity
• Flexible spending account
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Retirement pension (TCDRS)
• Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program)
• Disability and life insurance
• Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account