Senior Real Property Agent

County of Ventura; Ventura (CA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Educational Incentive

Bilingual Incentive

Vacation Accrual

Flexible Workweek/Telework Schedule

Deferred Compensation

Health Plans

Pension Plan

Holidays

Additional Benefits

Job summary

The County of Ventura seeks a Senior Real Property Agent to manage real estate operations, including acquisitions, leasing, and property management. This advanced role involves negotiating complex property deals and requires a Bachelor's degree in real estate or a related field, along with a year of experience at the county level.

This position offers numerous benefits including educational incentives and flexible work schedules. If you possess strong communication and negotiation skills, this is an excellent opportunity to serve the public.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• One year of related experience equivalent to Real Property Agent II.
• Knowledge of real estate laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate terms of property acquisitions and lease agreements.
• Prepare legal documents for transactions.
• Conduct negotiations with other agencies.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Time management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in real estate or related field

Job description

What We Offer

• Educational Incentive: A n educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
• Bilingual Incentive: Incumbents may also be eligible for a bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill. Proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I); $1.00 per hour (Level II); or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
• Vacation Accrual: New regular, full‑time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation per year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; accruals increase after 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 20 years of service, topping out at 26 days per year and 400 vacation hours banked.
• Flexible Workweek/Telework Schedule: Supports work/life balance by offering compressed work (e.g., 9/80 or 4/10) and remote hybrid telework schedules for some positions subject to organizational needs and satisfactory performance.
• Annual Leave Redemption: After 14,560 hours of continuous service an employee may elect to "cash in" or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
• Sick Leave: Full‑time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours, balanced after 13 bi‑weekly pay periods.
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. Position eligible for up to a 3% match on 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans: Full‑time employees receive a flexible credit allowance of up to $26,626.98 annually to offset the purchase of medical insurance for you and your dependents. Employee only – $463.99 per bi‑weekly pay period; employee plus one dependent – $834.32 per bi‑weekly pay period; employee plus family – $1,024.11 per bi‑weekly pay period.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Choice of participation, increasing spending power through reimbursement of pre‑tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan: Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems such as PERS.
• Holidays: 12 paid days per year, including a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits: Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, and Wellness Program.

Position Overview

Under general direction performs progressively complex and varied work in the practice of real estate as it relates to the appraisal, acquisition, management, leasing, relocation assistance, and disposal of real property for public use. Identifies utilities in conflict with proposed public projects and coordinates their timely relocation, including determination of prior rights and preparation of relocation agreements. Depending upon assignment, may administer the County service area and franchise administration functions. May serve as a lead to lower‑level Real Property Agents. Senior Real Property Agent is the advanced journey/lead classification in the Real Property Agent series. Senior Real Property Agent is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Examples of Duties

• Negotiate terms of property acquisitions and lease agreements for public use.
• Prepare permits, licenses, deeds, agreements, leases, contracts, conveyances and other legal documents.
• Coordinate proposals and other legal aspects of transactions with County Counsel’s Office.
• Conduct the more sensitive, complex, and difficult negotiations with officials and representatives of other governmental agencies.
• Prepare and/or review narrative appraisals for the purpose of acquisitions.
• Check title to real property.
• Relate project proposals and goals to property owners or their representatives.
• Prepare Board letters and reports on current acquisitions and condemnations; may be required to present information before the Board of Supervisors.
• Maintain records on project assignments.
• Appraise property and property improvements to prepare cost estimates and for acquisitions.
• Provide escrow functions for completing the recording of deeds, clearing title, and disbursing funds.
• Serve as a lead to lower‑level Real Property Agents.
• Conduct investigations to determine the location of utility lines which may conflict with proposed construction.
• Coordinate with utility companies in relocating utility facilities.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

Education, Training and Experience

• Possession of a Bachelor's degree in real estate, business, economics, public administration, or a related field; AND
• One (1) year of experience performing duties equivalent to the classification of Real Property Agent II at the County of Ventura; AND
• Successful completion and passage of four (4) discipline exams in areas such as Appraisal, Asset Management, Negotiation/Acquisition, Relocation Assistance, Environmental, Law, Engineering, Uniform Act offered by the International Right of Way Association OR successful completion of the Capstone Comprehensive Exam.

Substitution: The Bachelor’s degree may be substituted with year‑for‑year related work experience in appraisal, acquisition, property management, property leasing, and relocation assistance service with a public agency, consulting firm, or private company.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal; skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Desired Credentials

• Member of the Appraisal Institute or possession of any designation recognized by the Appraisal Institute; and
• Senior Right of Way Professional (SR/WA) designation issued by the International Right of Way Association (IRWA).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of real estate acquisitions, appraisal, and property management for public entities; the laws, legal codes, and governmental regulations applicable to real estate and eminent domain. Some knowledge of basic principles of civil engineering as they relate to the acquisition of right‑of‑way for public projects. Skill in time management; complex problem solving; active listening; judgment and decision making; negotiating/reconciling differences; and effective written and verbal communication. Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications and construction drawings as they relate to the acquisition of right‑of‑way for public projects or utility relocation; develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with others; resolve conflicts; interact effectively with the public; and make decisions and solve problems.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.