Right of Way Agent 1-4 (Region 3 - Lafayette)

DOTD-Engineering & Operations; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) seeks a Right of Way professional to support property and servitude acquisitions for transportation projects across Louisiana. The role involves hands-on work in the right of way process, title research, owner coordination, documentation, and relocation activities in line with state and federal requirements.

Ideal candidates have experience in property rights, real estate acquisition, or relocation assistance, or hold a bachelor’s

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in property rights acquisition, real estate acquisition, real estate property management, relocation assistance, or real estate appraisal.
• Six years of full-time experience in any field.
• A bachelor's degree.
• Experience substitution: Every 30 semester hours earned... credited as one year of experience; max substitution is 120 semester hours.

Responsibilities

• Acquire right of way, servitude and other real property; research titles and prepare title reports with current ownership and legal descriptions.
• Prepare project-related letters, summaries of just compensation, and other required correspondence per state and federal codes.
• Contact property owners and others to negotiate and document acquisitions; maintain electronic status reports and project status records.
• Prepare deeds, signatures, and record deeds; manage vouchers and disburse funds for acquisitions and services.
• Prepare Relocation Assistance Plans and cost estimates; manage replacement housing payments and displacee payments.
• Review consultant and regional acquisition files for completeness; assist in relocating families and businesses; travel statewide.

Skills

Communicating Effectively

Accepting Direction

Learning Actively

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Support DOTD’s Statewide Right of Way Program

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is seeking a Right of Way professional to support the acquisition of property and servitudes needed for transportation construction projects across Louisiana.

This position works hands-on in the right of way process, assisting with property research, coordination with property owners, documentation, and relocation activities in compliance with State and Federal requirements. The role involves statewide travel, collaboration with consultants and local public agencies, and maintaining accurate project records.

This position is ideal for individuals interested in public service, property research, and infrastructure development who enjoy detailed work, field activities, and contributing to projects that impact communities statewide.

AN IDEAL CANIDATE SHOULD POSESS THE FOLLLOWING COMPETENCIES:

• Communicating Effectively:The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Accepting Direction:The ability to be open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.
• Learning Actively:The ability to pursue learning, seek feedback, and integrate new knowledge to improve personal and professional performance.

Please visit our DOTD Career Center for more information about our agency: https://dotd.la.gov/about/office-of-management-and-finance/human-resources/career-center

• Three years of experience in property rights acquisition, real estate acquisition, real estate property management, relocation assistance, or real estate appraisal; OR
• Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR
• A bachelor's degree.
• EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:
• Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

• This position is responsible for activities related to the acquisition of right of way, servitude and other real property.
• Researching titles in various courthouses and preparing title research reports, which includes providing current ownership with the required chain of title and the legal description needed for the preparation of appraisals, right of way and construction maps, and acts of sale.
• Prepares documents such as Project Notification Letters, Just Compensation Offer Letters, Summaries of Just Compensation and all other correspondence required by State Law and the Federal Uniform Code for negotiating, acquisition and relocation assistance.
• Contacts property owners, leaseholders and other interested parties to negotiate the amicable acquisition of right of way, servitude and other real property. Maintains electronic status reporting programs such as LaGov; compiles project status reports for assigned projects.
• Prepares deeds of acquisition, obtains proper signatures and records deeds in the appropriate courthouses. Also prepares vouchers, orders checks for payment, and disburses funds to property owners and other vendors for right of way, servitude and other real property acquired and services required.
• Prepares Relocation Assistance Plans and Conceptual Stage Relocation Plans to comply with Federal and State guidelines. Makes cost estimates, moving expenses estimates, computes replacement housing payments, and makes payments to displacees.
• Prepares documentation and reviews completeness and correctness of consultant and/or regional acquisition files in cases where right of way, servitude and other real estate.
• Assists in the relocation of family units, businesses and personal property for right of way required for right of way on assigned DOTD projects.
• Some travel is required.

Position-Specific Details

Career Progression: This position may be filled as Right of Way Agent 1, 2, 3, or 4 depending on qualifications and agency needs.

Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, or Job Appointment or Detail to Special Duty

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. DOTD does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or pregnancy, and prohibits harassment of any type.

Information on the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available:

https://www.laworks.net/workforcedev/lrs/lrs_rehabilitation.asp

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.