Title and Escrow Officer

King County•Seattle - Regional area, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is an exciting opportunity to join King County’s Open Space Acquisitions Unit’s Acquisitions Team as a Title and Escrow Officer. In this position, you will work alongside experienced real estate professionals to permanently protect land through fee and easement acquisitions in furtherance of King County’s Land Conservation Initiative – an effort to protect approximately 65,000 acres of land for public access, climate resilience, and habitat preservation within 30 years – and to support the Water and Land Resources Division’s growing number of capital improvement projects. This is a meaningful opportunity to apply your experience in the title and escrow industry in the service of a healthier future for King County’s residents. To date, the Acquisitions Team has successfully completed acquisitions permanently conserving more than 160,000 acres of floodplain, forestland, farmland, and other open space. In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Real Property Agent III career service positions throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six (6) months. As a Title and Escrow Officer (Real Property Agent III), you will be the title expert and escrow liaison to support a team of conservation-minded King County real property agents in acquiring property interests on behalf of the Water and Land Resources Division and Parks and Recreation Division, as well as for local jurisdictions and non-profit partner recipients of King County grant conservation funding. This position requires a detail-oriented and organized individual with experience in reviewing or producing title commitments, writing legal descriptions, project management, who is well-versed in closing real estate transactions, and has a track record of successfully communicating clearly, calmly, and effectively with a wide range of audiences, including internal and external constituents, senior leadership, and attorneys. In addition to demonstrating the technical expertise necessary to be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will consistently approach their work in an efficient manner with a sense of enthusiasm and pride. They will be exceptionally dependable and proactive in accomplishing work assignments with minimal assistance, and possess the ability to ask questions, seek feedback, and learn from others. This is a great opportunity to join our fast-paced and dynamic team as a key contributor to advance acquisitions for the purpose of removing people and property from flood hazard areas, advancing capital improvement projects, establishing regional trail connections, floodplain protection and restoration, and permanently protecting open space for future generations. This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work. The Open Space Acquisitions Unit is part of the Rural and Regional Services Section, in the Water and Land Resources Division. The unit plays a central role in advancing the County’s ambitious Land Conservation Initiative by (1) awarding approximately $100 million annually for conservation acquisitions through the Conservation Futures Tax grant program; (2) acquiring land on behalf of King County partners within the Department of Natural Resources and Parks and external clients to permanently protect parks, open space, trail corridors, habitat/ecological areas, floodplains, forestland and farmland; and (3) operating the transfer of development rights program, compensatory mitigation programs, and supporting a Forest Carbon program – all of which are market-based conservation programs. Our staff bring expertise in government land acquisition, grant funding, policy development, and environmental markets, all driving creative solutions that maximize conservation outcomes. Known for professionalism, attention to detail, and working at the pace of the private market, the Acquisitions Team is deeply respected within the King County enterprise and by external partners and clients, alike. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) is at the forefront of King County’s efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face of climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 450 supported by an annual budget of ~$280 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies to protect working farms and forests, restore habitat, improve water quality, and provide county residents with equitable access to green space. We house the Land Conservation Initiative, which aims to preserve our last, most important lands. Our forestry and agricultural programs help individuals protect their lands and support local food production. We house four salmon recovery forums where we collaborate with scores of partners to plan, design, and build habitat projects. We partner with regional jurisdictions to help residents and businesses reduce the threats posed by production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. We are the primary service provider to the King County Flood Control District, contributing to flood preparedness and constructing and maintaining facilities that restore rivers and reduce risk. Our one true local service to unincorporated King County is stormwater management, protecting water quality, reducing flooding, and building and maintaining facilities. Finally, we provide regional science and laboratory services to an array of customers, maintaining high-quality data sets used to assess water quality and habitat trends, and provide Best Available Science to inform decision making. In two words, we are a watershed utility. King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Title and Escrow Officer, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity. for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resource Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Requirements

Demonstrated proficiency in reviewing and/or preparing title commitments.
Understanding of the steps required to close real estate transactions.
Demonstrated ability to write legal descriptions.
Experience performing administrative tasks.
Situational Adaptability : Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
Ensures Accountability : Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
Action Oriented : Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
Communicates Effectively : Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Manages Complexity : Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.

Nice To Haves

Experience using Net Deed Plotter and/or ArcGIS.
Demonstrated ability to make informed recommendations to resolve title defects.
Familiarity with the nuances of government land acquisitions.

Responsibilities

Procuring and reviewing title commitments, master guarantees, and subdivision guarantees as an initial step in the fee and easement acquisition process, and for informational purposes in response to internal inquiries.
Preparing maps to visually depict property boundaries, encumbrances, and access.
Writing legal descriptions to support easement acquisitions.
Acting as the primary point of contact with numerous escrow companies for 60+ fee and easement acquisitions annually, from mutual acceptance through closing, including drafting escrow instructions, releasing contingencies, ordering funds, reviewing closing documents, and providing timely updates.
Performing a variety of administrative tasks, including utilizing templates to prepare purchase and sale agreements and amendments, providing accurate and timely updates to various tracking mechanisms, routing signature items through DocuSign, and managing your own files.
Making recommendations and assist in resolving title defects prior to closing.
Acting as the subject matter expert for internal title-related inquiries, including performing and reporting on property research.