Senior Right-Of-Way Agent

This position under the general supervision of a branch chief performs the following duties:

• Coordinates and executes acquisitions of real property necessary to construct various stormwater, transportation, wastewater, public buildings, and capital improvement projects.
• Provides leadership or supervises a diverse group of right-of-way agents and engineering technician staff in the performance of land acquisition work.
• Personally performs difficult and complex acquisition/negotiation work involving state or federal guidelines, severely impacted properties, high profile and/or controversial issues, acquisitions involving commercial and/or residential relocations, and critical path time constraints.
• May be assigned less-complex projects as workload requires. Negotiates the settlement of acquisitions under the threat of litigation or use of eminent domain. Guides continuous improvement initiatives.
• Interprets plans, plats, and drawings. Analyzes title reports and complex reports and documentation to determine property ownership.
• Reviews real property appraisal reports and performs waiver valuations or cost estimates as appropriate.
• Prepares and reviews agenda items for the Board of Supervisors; plans and coordinates condemnation proceedings with staff from other agencies, attorneys, and elected officials; makes presentations and testifies before the Board of Supervisors and/or in court regarding condemnation matters as appropriate.
• Promotes communication, teamwork, and collaboration within the project team, stakeholders and with other divisions in Capital Facilities. Candidates are expected to have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Coordinates relocation activities as necessary.
• Interprets real estate valuation principles and drawings.
• Assists in writing and updates Land Acquisition Division procedures for the various types of projects;

• Benefits
• Retirement

• Handles the more difficult and/or sensitive purchases of real property for the County;
• Serves as team leader, coordinates project assignments, and provides technical expertise to Right-of-Way Agents and Engineering Technicians;
• Coordinates training for the Division and provides training to professional and technical staff;
• Researches legal records to determine real estate ownership;
• Interprets and determines the applicability of various federal, state, and County statutes, codes, and ordinances such as the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act and the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance;
• Interprets real estate valuation principles, engineering plans and construction drawings;
• Coordinates the gathering of data in preparation for public hearing and condemnation proceedings;
• Coordinates legal issues with the County Attorney's Office;
• Testifies in court regarding condemnation matters;
• Conducts special investigations and issues reports;
• Meets with the professional and technical staff, compiles project updates and disseminates data at twice-monthly project status meetings;

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of real property acquisition for public purposes;
• Knowledge of the law governing condemnation or disposal proceedings;
• Knowledge of the legal instruments involved in real estate transactions;
• Skill in negotiating the purchase of real property;
• Ability to interpret real estate valuation principles;
• Ability to lead and instruct other employees in the land acquisition process;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with property owners, the public and other County officials;
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally;
• Ability to prepare correspondence and write reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
A bachelor's degree in real estate or a related field from an accredited four year college or university; plus four years of experience in real property negotiation, disposition and/or evaluation.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid driver's license

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years of supervision of diverse staff or team leadership.
• Project management skills.
• Experience reviewing and/or evaluating plans and plats.
• Experience reviewing and/or evaluating real property title reports.
• Experience with physical inspection of real estate to identify and/or evaluate property features, and construction of capital improvements.
• Experience in contract administration, planning and zoning related research, including proffers, and mapping using Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
• Possession of any of the following licenses: Virginia Brokers License, Virginia Certified Residential Appraiser License, Virginia Certified General Appraiser License, Virginia Real Estate Sale License, Virginia Law License, License(s) from other state or jurisdictions.
• Possession of the Senior Right-of-Way Agent (SR/WA) designation awarded through the International Right-of-Way Association (IRWA) or the ability to complete those requirements within three years where time and budget permit.
• Education and experience in one or more of the following: real estate, implementing real estate transactions as allowed by Virginia law, eminent domain, real property appraisals, or property title research.
• Proficiency in basic Microsoft Office Suite applications.