Real Property and Right of Way Manager - County of Sonoma (CA) : Job Details

Bring your property, appraisal, and real estate lead experience to the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) and become their Real Property and Right of Way Manager!

Sonoma Water is a recognized leader in California water management, sanitation services, flood risk management, and environmental stewardship. Sonoma Water is seeking an energetic and forward-thinking Real Property and Right of Way Manager to directly lead and manage right-of-way and real property activities in support of both capital project engineering and general agency operations. Working closely with County Counsel, the Director of Engineering, and other division managers, this position will provide subject matter expertise and support on matters involving right of way and real estate transactions maintaining collaborative relationships with Sonoma Water's staff, Board of Directors, stakeholders, and local, state, and regional agencies. This position will also supervise the Real Property and Right of Way team and develop policies and regulations that affect the operation of the section.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Planning and managing the completion of property acquisition, disposal, leasing, licensing, and other property-related activities in support of various Sonoma Water divisions, projects, and programs
• Preparing and reviewing applications, contracts, and other required documentation in connection with Sonoma Water's real property rights such as purchase agreements, deeds, easements, leases, licenses, escrow agreements and instructions, real estate options, and preparing related Board reports and agenda summaries to secure approval for these activities
• Managing properties owned by Sonoma Water and developing comprehensive strategies for the best use of Sonoma Water real property assets
• Recommending condemnation proceedings when appropriate and collaborating with County Counsel in support of the process
• Directing the preparation of Board agenda items needed for Sonoma Water's Board of Directors to initiate eminent domain proceedings and presenting at hearings to adopt Resolutions of Necessity or other official actions
• Analyzing right of way/real property claims associated with Sonoma Water and leading corrective action to address encroachment or other unauthorized uses of Sonoma Water's property
• Securing and analyzing property records and title reports to determine the extent and types of encumbrances and the status of interests in properties
• Managing the organization, security, and maintenance of property-related records, and establishing a system to ensure compliance with and tracking of leases, licenses, temporary construction easements, and related recurring payments to property owner or Sonoma Water
• Working with and directing title insurance companies to process real estate transactions
• Performing market analysis of properties and reviewing appraisals necessary to secure properties for Sonoma Water
• Evaluating other income-generating opportunities related to Sonoma Water properties, including fee structure as related to property use and management

As Sonoma Water's Real Property and Right of Way Manager, you will have a wide breadth of experience in real estate, property management, real property appraisal, negotiation, acquisition, leasing of various types of property, and significant knowledge of title, escrow, relocation issues, and law as they relate to property transactions and contracts. The ideal candidate will also possess many of the following:

• Multiple years of experience working for a public agency in property acquisition and land management of right of way and properties in connection with water, wastewater, flood control, and power infrastructure in public and private properties
• Substantial experience negotiating land rights and managing real property assets
• Experience with the eminent domain acquisition processes, procedures, and legal requirements
• Exceptional written and oral communication and public presentation skills, and a demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
• Supervisory experience directing the work of right-of-way professionals engaged in the acquisition of property rights related to public works projects
• A California Realtor or Broker license (desired, but not required)

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits including:

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions- 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement- County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement- A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief – County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

Sonoma Water is currently recruiting to fill a Sonoma Water Real Property and Right of Way Manager position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

For first round consideration, please apply by January 16, 2025.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Education & Experience: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include course work in real property appraisal or engineering technology; and two years of experience leading and participating with a group of employees and/or consultants engaged in right of way work, including some experience in conducting negotiations for the acquisition of real property.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Thorough knowledge of: laws, regulations, and procedures pertaining to the acquisition, disposal and leasing of public lands and the acquisition and termination of easements and access rights; current principles and practices of property appraisal, negotiation, acquisition, leasing and disposition.

Considerable knowledge of: the modern management principles and techniques to establish Section goals and objectives; appraisal and engineering practices and terminology used in land survey and property acquisition work.

Knowledge of: budgetary practices and controls; modern leadership theories and methods designed to motivate employees.

Ability to: evaluate and coach subordinate staff to achieve Section goals and objectives; establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, supervisors, subordinates, members of the public, other County departments and persons who have an interest in the Right of Way Program; establish goals and write quantifiable objectives; conduct successful negotiations; analyze situations, make decisions and be held accountable for the selected courses of action; read and interpret maps, plans, blueprints and real property descriptions; communicate effectively and to prepare clear and concise written and oral reports.

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-###-####), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT

HR Technician: RR

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