Right of Way Specialist

Virginia Passenger Rail Authority•Richmond, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is a political subdivision established by Chapter 1230 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly. VPRA is responsible for promoting, sustaining, and expanding the availability of passenger and commuter rail services in the Commonwealth, including all administrative and fiduciary responsibilities for Virginia's state-supported passenger rail services. VPRA also is a funding partner on many Virginia Railway Express (VRE) initiatives and administers capital expansion projects, infrastructure, and land acquisitions related to the multi-billion-dollar Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, which will double Amtrak and VRE service in Virginia over the next decade. The VPRA acts as a "responsible public entity" for the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation, or any combination thereof, of a "qualifying transportation facility" under the Public Private Partnership Act of 1995. Are you looking to make a meaningful impact by supporting major infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth? If so, VPRA is looking for you! The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is seeking a Right of Way Specialist to assist with VPRA's acquisition of real property rights in support of VPRA's Transforming Rail in Virginia program. This position is critical to VPRA's success because it supports the acquisition of parcels needed for VPRA's capital projects, which must be accomplished promptly to keep each project on track. The position will report to the Director of Right-of-Way and work closely with VPRA's legal team. The acquisitions will often be under threat of VPRA's condemnation authority pursuant to Va. Code § 33.2-293 and other procedural statutes. The Right of Way Specialist must know about all right-of-way disciplines and associated bodies of knowledge (laws, policies, and procedures). This full-time position will be based in VPRA's office in Richmond, Virginia.

Requirements

Experience supporting a public condemning authority to acquire real property in support of construction projects.
Experience reviewing plats/plans, appraisals, and knowledge of legal limitations on offers of just compensation.
Experience researching land records and Local GIS systems.
Experience using document management software for real estate acquisitions.

Nice To Haves

Experience negotiating just compensation with landowners on behalf of a public body.
Experience with railroad construction projects.
Knowledge of Federal and State Laws related to land acquisitions.

Responsibilities

Assist VPRA's Right of Way Director with the acquisition of 300+ parcels in support of Transforming Rail in Virginia and other VPRA initiatives.
Regularly interact with the VPRA executive team, general counsel's team, project managers, schedulers, designers, project contractors, railroads, and other project stakeholders.
Support and assist with landowner negotiations.
Review acquisition plats, including performing quality control on them.
Review appraisals and recommended offers of just compensation to landowners.
Conduct a preliminary review of title reports for completeness and preparation for attorney review.
Draft conveyance documents for staff attorney review.
Perform technical reviews of certificates, plans, property descriptions, including plans/plats and utility clauses.
Conduct reviews of negotiation reports to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
Update and manage documents and tracking software.
Conduct title examination and compile a Title Report Summary to be reviewed and approved by the staff attorney.
Support VPRA's right-of-way acquisitions as requested by the Director of Right of Way.