The Utility Operations & Services department is seeking a Senior Easement Acquisition Specialist. This position performs specialized easement acquisition assignments including analyzing complex property and title records, street vacation process and negotiating with property owners on terms to acquire easements. Negotiates and manages leases, prepares draft legal documents, and provides support to General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer in condemnation proceedings for Clean Water Services (CWS). Coordinates with staff, contractors, federal, state and local agencies to ensure compliance with laws, rules and regulations.
 
Note: This position will remain open until filled. First review of applications will begin on Monday, May 6, 2024. (The essential functions listed below are not intended to reflect all duties that may be assigned to this classification. CWS may augment duties and/or essential functions at its discretion. Additionally, some incumbents may not perform all Essential Functions.)
 

1. Negotiates with property owners to acquire complex easements, dedications and property for public projects. Directs and performs activities to obtain Permits of Entry.
2. Researches county assessor and other public records to identify property ownership and determine property rights; orders title reports when required; examines and reconciles title reports for accuracy of the vesting and legal descriptions of properties, and any conflicting issues such as existing easements, judgments, covenants, conditions and restrictions, liens and encumbrances that might impact proposed right of way acquisitions. Resolves boundary questions, easement encroachments, access issues. Processes release of surplus rights of way.
3. Requests appraisal reports from independent appraisers to determine the value of easements or real property to be acquired; evaluates the methodology of and approves appraisal reports submitted; recommends estimated value for acquisition of easements. 
4. Manages outside professional service contracts for appraisers and other real property professionals. Establishes project budget and project timelines for easement acquisition activities.
5. Maintains orderly and comprehensive documentation of property valuations and negotiations. Researches and responds to CWS, outside stakeholder and other agencies and citizen inquiries. 
6. Evaluates and determines compensation for property acquisitions based on appraised values and conducts field inspections of project property to determine administrative valuations. Researches and obtains title chains, deeds and tax information needed for property acquisitions. Calculates and processes payment requests to property owners, appraisers, attorneys and others involved in the acquisition process.
7. Uses construction plans to determine potential impacts to project sites and remaining and adjoining properties. Provides input to project managers, engineers and designers on project design regarding the impacts of the design and location alternatives. 
8. Provides information and assistance to legal counsel in preparation for eminent domain proceedings and/or property condemnations. Provides support to the General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer in condemnation proceedings. Prepares technical and legal documents such as legal descriptions, conveyance documents, maps, ordinances and engineer’s reports. 
9. Provides guidance and training, and advises lower level staff the acquisition process. 
10. Assists in creating a positive and supportive work environment; enforces a safe workplace; establishes a culture of teamwork and communication; creates a workplace that promotes the organizational values of workplace diversity, equity and inclusion and actively promotes an environment respectful of living and working in a multicultural society.
11. Drives a Clean Water Services vehicle for work related purposes.

KNOWLEDGE OF: 

• State and federal law, administrative rules, policies and procedures related to acquisition of easements, real estate, land and easement acquisition by public agencies, including just compensation, and eminent domain and condemnation law
• Acquisition and relocation procedures and practices
• Principles and practices related to property appraisals and establishing market value
• Principles and practices of budget preparation, financial analysis and administration
• Principles of staff supervision
• Methods and techniques for property recordation and property record search
• Basic principles and practices of property and contract law including appropriate procedures and documents to convey acquired property rights
• Federal, state and local provisions governing records retention and access
• Basic terminology, methods and practices of facilities engineering design, land-use planning, land surveying, mapping and construction processes
• Principles and practices of effective good-faith negotiations

 
SKILL IN: 

• Negotiating and acquiring easements, permits of entry, dedications and property for public entities
• Researching applicable regulations, state and federal laws, and public records
• Site and property inspections
• Preparing defensible estimates of value
• Appraising land based on zoning
• Interpreting descriptions of real property
• Project scheduling and tracking

 
ABILITY TO: 

• Communicate technical and legal information in a non-technical manner
• Read, understand and interpret legal descriptions, maps, plans, specifications and reports pertaining to complex design and construction projects
• Interpret and apply pertinent policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and permits
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including a variety of CWS and other government officials, contractors, and the general public
• Operate effectively in a team environment
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Work independently and meet project timelines
• Analyze technical data and legal requirements, evaluate alternatives and make sound, timely recommendations within established guidelines
• Plan, organize and provide work direction for carrying out assigned duties efficiently and effectively
• Communicate professionally when dealing with sensitive situations, the public and stakeholders

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the KSAs would be:
 
3 years experience in easement negotiation and acquisition, real estate property acquisition, appraisals, property transactions related to acquisitions, or managing property acquisitions related to public capital projects 
 
College-level coursework in urban planning, civil, sanitary, surveying or environmental fields, business administration, real estate law or a related field.
 
 
CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS: 
 
Upon selection, candidate must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver’s license.
Current Notary Public Commission or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.Reasonable Accommodation:
 Applicants who require reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any phase of the application process should contact Human Resources at 503.681.3600 or TDD 503.681.3601.
 
 Equal Employment Opportunity:
 Clean Water Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, marital status, age, uniformed service, sexual orientation or disability in the admission or access to the recruitment process or any aspect of employment.