Right of Way Agent III

Job Description

The salary range for this position is $6,257.00 – $8,322.00 monthly.

Thurston County Public Works is recruiting for a skilled Right of Way Agent III to join our dynamic, energetic, and innovative Real Estate Services team in the Office of the County Engineer. Join our team of dedicated professionals who specialize in acquiring temporary and permanent property rights for federal, state, and locally funded projects. The successful candidate will perform technical work associated with negotiation and acquisition of easements and rights of way for road improvement, fish passage, construction, and utility projects. A project-based approach is used to accomplish tasks associated with title examination, appraisal, audit, acquisition, and/or disposal of real or personal property; property management; negotiation of contracts, franchise agreements, leasing agreements, and relocation assistance; as well as preparation of land use and right of way permits. Duties typically include work related to vacant, residential, commercial, agricultural, public utility, exempt, recreational, and/or industrial properties.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist and/or perform property valuations of real property through review of right of way maps, commissioners’ records, plat books, engineering reports, title searches, and other records or materials. May include property inspection to determine property damages or improvements. Prepare applicable reports and documents as required.
• Locate property owners and obtain permission for a variety of county activities, such as right of way staking, temporary easements, and construction permits.
• Inform owners of their rights, applicable laws, and regulations. Provide relocation assistance to individuals impacted by proposed projects.
• Negotiate with property owners to acquire a wide range of property rights for public projects including corridor, intersection, sidewalk, flood, trail, and bridge projects for purchase or lease of property. Maintain files of property records, departmental maps, section activities, and correspondence. Prepare required legal instruments necessary to acquire rights of way.
• Prepare, review, and/or administer land use, right of way permits and road vacation requests for compliance with county policies, regulations, and applicable laws.  Maintain files of property records, departmental maps, section activities, and correspondence.
• On occasion, represents Public Works at public meetings and at public hearings before the Hearing Examiner and Board of County Commissioners. Prepare and review exhibits and documents for presentation.
• Assist Real Estate Services Manager in development and implementation of section objectives, plans, policies, and procedures. Assist or lead development of oral and written policies and procedures.

 

To view the full job classification, click here: Right of Way Agent III

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment – Office setting in Olympia, Washington, primarily sitting at a desk.
• Schedule – Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workload demands may occasionally require work outside the assigned work hours.
• Travel Requirements – Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings and perform site visits.
• Customer Interactions – Daily interactions via phone, in-person, and video with Thurston County staff and the public.

 

WHO WE ARE: 

The Thurston County Public Works Department, located in Olympia, Washington, is a national award-winning agency in delivering quality projects to our community. Our mission is to provide excellent public services in all areas of our business. We actively help our staff develop and grow professionally, we bring together resources across divisions to achieve organizational goals, we are always ready to respond to community needs, and we are an American Public Works Association accredited agency, consistently meeting industry best practices benchmarks.

Our Core Values:

• Accountability – We take responsibility for our actions and the resulting outcomes.
• Customer Service – We provide our customers with the highest level of service and quality.
• Innovation – We strive to continuously improve processes, performance, and results.
• Safety – We demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to safety.
• Teamwork – We work together toward achieving a common recognized end.

 

Mission – To provide excellent public services in all areas of our business.

Vision – The premier public works organization, accountable and transparent in all services we provide to our community.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage.

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual’s lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program that allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

 

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmers markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree with major course work in real estate or related discipline and three (3) years as a Right of Way Agent II or equivalent. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain a Washington State Driver’s License within thirty days of employment.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain a Washington State Notary Public Commission within thirty days of employment is required for continued employment.

 

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Senior Right of Way (SR/WA) designation through the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), Washington State Real Estate Sales License or Brokers License desired for a Right of Way Agent I or Right of Way Agent II.
• Extensive experience in negotiating with property owners and their representative for acquisition of land, easements, and other types of property rights, including navigating complex transactions.
• Working knowledge and understanding in the application of Washington State RCWs and WACs, federal and state eminent domain laws and the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970.
• The ability to understand intermediate and complex appraisals, as well as develop value estimates that establish fair market value ranges for the acquisition of land and land use rights.
• Solid understanding of basic engineering and surveying practices, with experience in reviewing and understanding right-of-way plans.
• Proficiency in managing public records, comprehending legal descriptions, preparing conveyance documents, comprehending complex title reports, and other ownership data to determine the correct vesting of the title and clearing of encumbrances.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to convey information clearly and effectively.

 

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact Susan Clemen, Real Estate Services Manager, at 360-867-2326 or susan.clemen@co.thurston.wa.us.

This position is:

• Represented by a Union
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Eligible for benefits

 

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of Interest
• Supplemental Questions

 

Learn more about Thurston County at: Thurston County

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.