Title & Contracts Project Manager

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Since its inception in 1915, the Arizona State Land Department has been entrusted with managing approximately 9.2 million acres of State Trust Lands scattered throughout Arizona. The Common Schools (K-12) are the largest beneficiary entitled to approximately 87% of the land and receiving close to 90% of State Trust Land revenues. Through the application of sound stewardship, and effective business management principles, the Land Department can succeed in its mission of responsibly managing the assets of a multi-generational perpetual trust in alignment with the interests of the beneficiaries and Arizona’s future. Under the direction and guidance of the Title and Contracts (T&C) Manager, the Project Manager will provide efficient, accurate and timely examination of agreements, contracts, orders, and other legal documents to internal staff and outside representatives. This role is responsible for meeting deadlines and for the accuracy of information disseminated. The Project Manager will process the more critical/complex surface applications for purchase, lease, permit and rights of way, and interpret and identify the location of land from legal descriptions. The position requires considerable independence and discretionary judgment, and the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including detailed and lengthy land use and title reports. The Project Manager must also deal courteously and effectively with all levels of the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) staff, including the Commissioner's Office, customers, federal, state, and local government officials, the Attorney General's Office, Court of Law, and members of the public.

Requirements

Knowledge of: Theoretical and practical aspects of project management, methodologies and tools
Knowledge of: Statutes, Departmental rules, policies, objectives, and procedures as they relate to this position
Knowledge of: Land legal descriptions
Knowledge of: Federal condemnation/eminent domain transactions
Knowledge of: Land research practices, legal terminology, and preparation of related documents
Knowledge of: Researching land title and land leasing records
Knowledge of: ArcGIS Pro software
Knowledge of: GIS systems, spatial data and database management systems and development platforms
Knowledge of: Cadastral systems, Surveys, and Plat Maps
Skilled in: Interpersonal, written, and verbal communication
Skilled in: Basic project coordination; prioritize and organize multiple tasks; work collaboratively in teams and across organizations; adjust plans accordingly to meet deadlines
Skilled in: Understanding of land legal descriptions and ALTA surveys
Skilled in: Prioritize and organize documents; possess attention to detail; display critical thinking
Skilled in: Establish and maintain working relationships with outside agencies and personnel
Skilled in: Basic land planning and disposition
Skilled in: Examining/proofreading documents for accuracy
Skilled in: Intermediate proficiency in computer use (Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, Salesforce)
Ability to: Respond promptly to customer needs; take a customer-centric approach to problem solving
Ability to: Use time efficiently; communicate activities and results as appropriate
Ability to: Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations and streamline work processes
Ability to: Do advanced analysis and produce reports
Ability to: Read and decipher current and historical land records, including land title records
Ability to: Read, interpret and write a variety of legal descriptions
Ability to: Create, modify and manipulate advanced data sets and maps, including complex geospatial aspects of data
Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete required driver training.
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in: Technical examining and/or title work similar to that done within a title company (i.e., Assessor' s Office, State, Federal or City land/title Dept) including working on land planning and disposition issues.
A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in: Reading and plotting land legal descriptions and ALTA surveys.
A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in: Working with Cadastral/GIS team.
Any combination of training and experience that meet the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs); which may include, but are not limited to: a relevant degree from an accredited college or university, coursework and work experience relevant to assignment.

Responsibilities

Performs the full range of work for the following job duties: Manages small projects based on repeatable standards and practices
Leads planning and/or implementation of projects
Follows defined, agreed upon project management methodologies
Facilitates the definition of project missions, goals, tasks, and resource requirements
Assists in the resolution of conflicts within and between projects or functional areas
Monitors a project's progress and escalates as appropriate
Process the more critical/complex surface applications for purchase, lease, permit and rights of way
Interpret and identify location of land from land legal descriptions
Examine the more complex title documents, gather data for metrics, create reports, and manage contract boilers, ensuring they are following all applicable statutes, rules, and policies
Oversee and manage the cancellation process for all contracts processed in Title & Contracts (T&C)
Oversee coordinating land ownership transfers between the state and federal governments resulting from federal condemnation/eminent domain transactions with possible on-site visits to inspect land parcels, ensuring the accuracy of title records for over 9 million acres
Provides leadership, guidance, and recommendations in managing all aspects of a project's life cycle and works with all related areas of the organization to define requirements, deliverables, and timelines
Acts as the project lead over inventorying, scanning, and digitizing ASLD title records
Other duties as assigned as related to the position

Benefits

10 paid holidays per year
Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child
Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military
A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
A robust and affordable health insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
Tuition Reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
A variety of learning and career development opportunities
Lifetime Pension Benefit Program Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Defined benefit plan that provides for life-long income upon retirement.
Required participation for Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ASRS Retirement plan.
Pre-taxed payroll contributions begin after a 27-week waiting period (prior contributions may waive the waiting period).
Deferred Retirement Compensation Program Voluntary participation.
Program administered through Nationwide.
Tax-deferred retirement investments through payroll deductions.