Title and Records Officer

Maricopa County • Phoenix, AZ

2d • $65,000 - $103,750 • Hybrid

About The Position

Maricopa County Real Estate Department is seeking a detail-driven, title-savvy professional to serve as a Title and Records Officer. A specialized role supporting land rights, acquisitions, and property research at the County level. As the Title and Records Officer, you will be responsible for conducting in-depth land rights research and title examination in support of Maricopa County and the Flood Control District of Maricopa County (District) real property acquisition and disposition programs, as well as special projects related to land rights. Additionally, you will assist with oversight of the MCRED Document Retention Program. Key responsibilities generally include reading and interpreting legal descriptions; performing complex title research and title examination; analyzing and reviewing prior rights; and analyzing and reviewing title encumbrances to advise staff and County leadership on title restrictions recommending actions to clear title, and providing historical titles chains in support of quiet title actions, condemnation, civil suits, completing right-of-way verifications, and processing right of way abandonment requests. This position also researches and assists with unique issues associated with Department of Transportation rights-of-way and municipal annexations/right-of-way transfers.

Requirements

• Two years of experience as a Title Examiner, Title Officer, or Registered Land Surveyor in the State of Arizona, or similar
• Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate, Real Estate or Business Law, Surveying, or a closely related field
• Related professional experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis

Nice To Haves

• Four years of experience as a Title Examiner, Title Officer, or Registered Land Surveyor in the State of Arizona, or similar.
• Experience conducting due diligence, title research, and analysis in support of public or quasi-public agency, public works, or utility company acquisition and disposition programs, or surveying land.
• Experience adjudicating and clearing title exceptions.
• Experience conducting and presenting prior rights analyses.
• Experience interpreting jurisdictional regulations and State/Federal land title law pertaining to real estate acquisition for public projects, claims of right of way, land splits, and subdivisions.
• Experience reading, interpreting, and identifying deficiencies in legal descriptions.
• A National Title Professional designation from the American Land Title Association.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Responsibilities

• Research, read, analyze, and interpret a variety of public records, legal documents, maps, plats, statutes, and regulations, including survey notes and legal descriptions, to identify vesting title, encumbrances, clouds on title, legal description deficiencies, and quality of title to rights of way and fee simple estate land
• Review and adjudicate title and title reports in support of public projects, public land disposition, and inquiries from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office
• Explain, both orally and in written reports, complex title research, findings, and provide recommendations for title clearing efforts, and prepare title documentation per the requirements of applicable geographical jurisdictions, as well as documents for real estate transactions
• Coordinate with in-house staff on surveys, legal descriptions, map reviews, parcel descriptions, easements, and intergovernmental agreements
• Coordinate with appropriate staff to process requests for right-of-way abandonments
• Create, organize, implement, and oversee the MCRED Document Retention Program in conjunction with the MCRED Director, MCRED Property Management Supervisor, and the MCRED Property Engineering Supervisor
• Perform utility prior rights analysis in support of public projects
• Negotiate and create legal documents for the property management, acquisition, and disposition transactions, including easements, sales, and land right transfers/ extinguishments, in accordance with applicable county policies/resolutions, and Arizona Revised Statutes
• Meet with Maricopa County and/or District staff and appointed or elected officials, property owners, attorneys, and other personnel to resolve complex title issues or provide information on the County or District’s land rights

Benefits

• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center, Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 12% monthly contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

What This Job Offers

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