SARASOTA COUNTY GOVERNMENT CAREER TRACK RIGHT-OF-WAY AGENT SUB-CLASS CODES: See Below EEO Code: 02 FLSA: Exempt W/C Code: 8810 PAY BAND: Professional/Technical MAJOR FUNCTIONS These are professional positions coordinating overall negotiations and acquisitions of real property interest for Sarasota County Capital Improvement projects (CIP) and non-cip projects, preparing in-house appraisal reports, conducting title researches, processing plat and street vacations and property exchanges. Tier I Sub-Class Code 37423 - Pay Grade 9931 Works under the direction and supervision of a senior right-of-way agent or supervisor. In general, work assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: Coordinates acquisition of donated, purchased or condemned properties Performs title and public record searches and examinations Researches/reads/summarizes/prepares legal documents Records acquisition history files Constructs chain of title Reviews construction plans and recommends alternatives Researches and interprets real estate law, court actions and Florida Statutes Prepares reports Assists in estimating acquisition costs Primary Purpose Tier I (Senior Level) Sub-Class Code 37424 - Pay Grade 9931 This is advanced work done independently and requiring limited supervision. In general, work assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: Completes multiple acquisition activities Consults with County Attorney s Office in obtaining legal information Researches, prepares, assists and attends court hearings, mediations and trials Negotiates with property/business owners and tenant Collaborates with project managers Manages project acquisitions Justifies settlements to management and customers Processes petitions for vacating of County interests/exchanges/disposal of surplus property Prepares in-house appraisal reports Tier II (Team Lead) Sub-Class Code 37425 - Pay Grade 9932 This is lead work supervising the administrative functions and staff for Real Property. Responsible for tracking acquisition costs and budget forecasting. In general, work assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: Assists manager with the following: Management of acquisition activities Overall supervision of Right-of-Way Agents Conducting performance reviews Selection process of private sector firms Preparation of Unit budget Recommends and provides training for staff Coordinates and manages vendor contracts Hires expert witness for trials Coordinates, develops, and implements goals, policies, regulations, methods and procedures for acquisition of interest in Real Property. Coordinates suits and settlements with County Attorney s office
RIGHT-OF-WAY AGENT - Page 2 of 5 Tier I Sub-Class Code 37423 - Pay Grade 9931 Develops critical events charts Assists in hiring of professional services Reviews and approves work assigned Tracks payment of invoices Prepares reports and delivers presentations to the Board of County Commissioners and to the general public Justifies settlements to management and customers Primary Purpose Tier I (Senior Level) Sub-Class Code 37424 - Pay Grade 9931 Serves as a resource to subordinate staff Provides support on budget plans, division policies, goals and procedures Conducts research and analysis on special projects and required reports Reviews construction plans and recommends alternatives for costs of complex projects Coordinates acquisition activities for public improvement projects Facilitates in the development/implementation of policy, standards and procedures Responds and resolves complaints involving County real estate Tier II (Team Lead) Sub-Class Code 37425 - Pay Grade 9932 Participates in court ordered/voluntary mediations and negotiations Coordinates and manages budget forecasting Develops, implements and maintains acquisition cost and project analysis tracking system Acts as manager in his/her absence Ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations Prepares/generates reports Conducts presentations before the BCC, general public and staff *Tier 2 includes basic level duties **Tier 3 includes Tier 1 & 2 level duties Good written/verbal communications Strong interpersonal relations Report preparation Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with County personnel, property owners, attorneys, and the general public Ability to develop resources and contacts Primary Core Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) Professional Skills Excellent written/verbal communication skills Expert report preparation/presentation Ability to develop resources and contacts Knowledgeable in federal and state laws Ability to develops/revise policies Ability to coordinate projects Ability to advise and guide customers Ability to develop solutions Mentors lower-level staff Excellent written/verbal communication skills Ability to establish and maintain effective internal and external relationships Knowledge of CIP and non-cip budgets Ability to implement and maintain an acquisition cost and project analysis tracking system Extensive knowledge of the laws/procedures involved in acquisition cost and project analysis tracking system Ability to coach and mentor staff Ability to coordinate projects Ability to develop solutions
RIGHT-OF-WAY AGENT - Page 3 of 5 Basic to Intermediate software applications Internet searches Computer hardware basics Copiers, shredders, telephones, faxes, etc. Monitors and projectors Notebook computers Recording and video equipment Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint E-mail communication software applications Working knowledge of Attorney s Title Base Plant Working knowledge of Deed Check or similar software Knowledge to accurately review title searches and appraisal reports Ability to effectively negotiate complex rights to land acquisitions Ability to conduct searches and retrieve information from multiple sources Knowledge of Federal, State and local laws and procedures Knowledge of different types of interest in Real Property, legal instruments and descriptions Knowledge of requirements for recording legal documents Knowledge of title abstracting and examination Primary Core Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) continued Business Equipment and Computer Skills Intermediate to advanced software applications Internet/intranet operations Microsoft Access Microsoft Publisher Technical Skills (may be required depending on specific job) Proficient in reading engineering plans/specifications Ability to read construction plans, maps and blueprints Knowledge of real estate appraisal reports Extensive knowledge of different types of interest in Real Property Knowledge of requirements for recording legal documents Skilled in effective negotiations of rights to real property acquisitions Knowledge of real property legal instruments, legal descriptions and interests in real property title Ability to prepare in-house appraisal reports Knowledge of the requirements for recording legal documents Ability to respond to informal inquiries Advanced software applications Internet/intranet operations Microsoft Access Microsoft Publisher Ability to perform detailed tracking of acquisition costs Proficient in reading engineering plans/specifications Ability to read and comprehend extensive construction plans, maps and blueprints Extensive knowledge of property rights acquisitions Knowledge of real estate appraisal reports Extensive knowledge of different types of interest in Real Property Skilled in effective negotiations of complex rights to real property acquisitions
RIGHT-OF-WAY AGENT - Page 4 of 5 Minimum Qualifications Tier I Tier I (Senior Level) Tier II (Team Lead) A Bachelor s Degree from an accredited College or university with major course work in Real Estate, Real Estate Law, Business or Public Administration, Planning, Engineering or a related field and four (4) years of related professional experience or successful completion of the criteria identified in Right-of-Way Agent Level II checklist. Progressively responsible experience can substitute on a year for year basis for the required college degree. Possession of a valid Florida State Driver s License is required. A High School Diploma or equivalent, and two years of experience in land acquisition, title examination and/or searches, real estate law, appraisal field or other related fields. An Associates Degree with major course work in real estate and title law and three years experience in land acquisition, title examination and/or searches, real estate law, appraisal field or other related fields. Progressively responsible experience can substitute on a year for year basis for the required college degree. Possession of a valid Florida State Driver s License is required. Possession of a valid Florida State Driver s License may be required at time of appointment. Certified notary within the first three months of employment may be required Possession of a General State Certified Appraiser License in the State of Florida may be required. Five years of experience in title research and professional designation of Certified Land-Title Searcher (CLS) from the Florida Land Title Association or an equivalent designation from a similar professional association may be required. A Bachelor s Degree from an accredited College or university with major course work in Real Estate, Real Estate Law, Business or Public Administration, NOTE: Employees that acquire the skills and minimum qualifications for the next level will be able to apply for promotional opportunities. Employees will not automatically be upgraded to the next level. Reclassifying a position is based on business need and financial impact and not based solely on the incumbent. APPROVED BY: DATE: Joanie Whitley, General Manager, Human Resources 6/30/11 History: 9/11/09
Addendum to Job Specification Page 5 of 5 Sarasota County Government R E A L P R O P E R T Y D I V I S I O N Career Growth Path Effective Since 2004 Criteria for: Right of Way Agent - Level II List of competencies and qualifications required for the Right of Way Agent, Level II. Supervisor and Manager must check off each category and sign at the bottom verifying employee s obtainment of these competencies. A completed checklist must be attached to the PA for processing a promotion. Right of way Agent has done the following: Successfully completed IRWA Core courses (eight days) and a minimum of a one-day of course toward the IRWA Right-of-way-Negotiation/Acquisition Certification Discipline and/or other comparable training classes as approved by Real Property Manager. Completed a minimum of three years experience in right-of-way acquisitions. Completed three days training in the Leadership Core courses offered in the County s Road Maps to Learning book or courses approved by Real Property Manager in advance. Successfully processed at least 75 land acquisitions/property exchanges or petitions (i.e., Alert letter, Offer Package, Acceptance Package, Yellow Sheet Packet, Payment to owner and Recording). Successfully processed at least 12 Blue Sheet packages, which include all aspects of the process from beginning to end (i.e., subordination agreements, granting or release of easement interest, or purchase contracts). Presented at least five projects to the Board of County Commission and/or attended public hearings representing Real Property, and/or participated in OPX program. Processed Resolution of Necessity packages for a minimum of five projects. Assisted in the training of other right of way agents for at least one year. Handled at least three eminent domain proceedings & attended the O.T. hearings. Demonstrated competent knowledge of Sarasota County operations, Ordinances, policies and procedures. A member of IRWA or other applicable membership as approved by the Real Property Manager. Created contracts that require special language for unique situations. Independently participated in the negotiations, settlement and closings of real property. Participated in at least five formal mediations. Earned a Satisfactory Performance Evaluation Rating on past evaluations. Comments: Supervisor: Manager: Date: Date: