Right-of-Way Agent/Property Analyst

This position has key responsibilities in land acquisition and real estate negotiations for public improvement projects. Here's a breakdown of the duties:

Key Responsibilities:

• Land Rights Acquisition: Negotiate and acquire land rights and real property for county projects, including capital facilities, wastewater, stormwater management, transportation, and public buildings.
• Project Management: Handle multiple projects with tight deadlines, ensuring compliance with legal and procedural requirements.
• Legal and Record Research: Investigate and verify county records, legal documents, and title reports for ownership accuracy.
• Real Estate and Valuation: Calculate land square footage, review engineering plans, interpret real estate valuations, and review appraisal reports.
• Cost Estimates and Reports: Prepare cost estimates for land acquisition and create detailed documents for public hearings, condemnation proceedings, and Board meetings.
• Public Communication: Make presentations to the Board of Supervisors and other stakeholders, requiring strong oral and written communication skills.
• Collaboration: Work closely with teams and external agencies, including project managers and attorneys with the Office of the County Attorney, while maintaining independent problem-solving capabilities..

• Motivation & Self-Sufficiency: Must be able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Relationship Building: Ability to develop relationships with various stakeholders and provide solutions to complex issues.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for public presentations and team collaborations.

• Benefits
• Retirement

• Verifies real property descriptions and checks titles to determine real property ownership;
• Negotiates easements by telephone, fax, letter and direct contact;
• Functions as liaison between property owners and Fairfax County staff, agents and vendors;
• Evaluates proposal packages for consideration by the Board of Supervisors;
• Prepares land acquisition cost estimates on future projects;
• Develops facts and/or prepares analysis necessary for condemnation or disposal proceedings;
• Develops and coordinates alternative acquisition programs, such as donations and lease and interim use agreements;
• Secures signatures to deeds;
• Writes property descriptions;
• Contracts for appraisals to be made or reviews outside appraisals and interprets real estate valuation principles;
• Participates in final negotiation and settlement proceedings;
• Testifies in court;
• Updates and maintains records of work in progress and accomplished;
• Makes special investigations, adjustments and reports as assigned;
• May assist with preparation of annual budget and periodic statistical activity reports.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of real property acquisition or disposal for public purposes;
• Knowledge of the legal instruments involved in real estate transactions;
• Knowledge of commercial law and law governing condemnation or disposal proceedings;
• Skills in negotiating the purchase or sale of real property;
• Ability to deal courteously and effectively with the general public;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Ability to prepare correspondence and 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 three years of experience in real property negotiation, disposition and/or evaluation.

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years of experience in real estate acquisitions related to public improvement projects.
• Two years of education or experience related to one or more of the following: real estate, appraisals, property title research, real estate law, land use and development, or construction.
• Extensive experience managing multiple projects with challenging completion deadlines.
• Knowledge of eminent domain law and condemnation procedures.
• Familiarity with construction plans and plats for projects including highways, sewers, and utilities.
• Computer, Microsoft Office, and PDF editing (such as Adobe or Foxit) software skills.
• The ability to communicate orally in an understandable manner.