07/01/92 B

This is the first class in the Transportation Right of Way Agent Series for positions responsible for appraising property, negotiating its acquisition, relocating property owners, and engaging in property management activities to include assessment of hazardous materials for the purpose of highway construction and maintenance. Positions in this class rotate through all Right of Way areas performing assignments that are designed to familiarize employees with program terminology, documents, practices and principles. This class is distinguished from the Transportation Right of Way Agent Specialist class by the latter’s responsibility for performing specialized duties in one of the major right of way program areas.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of routine difficulty which involves duties associated with appraisals, negotiations, relocation and property management for interstate, primary, secondary, and urban projects. Positions review and interpret right of way plans and other pertinent topography and make field reviews to verify property lines and building locations; research court records to verify property ownership and prepare titles; participate in and prepare abbreviated, modified and narrative appraisals on commercial, agricultural and residential properties; explain right of way program requirements, construction features and impact of actions to property owners; calculates routine cost estimates; make monetary offers to property owners for property and damages; explain the relocation advisory assistance program to displaced owners and tenants; determine replacement housing needs and compute replacement housing costs and moving expenses; contact real estate agents to obtain information on comparable housing for displaces; inspect buildings acquired in conjunction with right of way program requirements, set retention values and assist in the disposal process; assist in the lease or sale of real property and improvements which includes preparing leases and deeds of conveyance; preparing reports for each parcel of land acquired to provide case documentation that aids higher level agents; and serve as a witness in court proceedings.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor.

Supervision Received: Receives general and technical supervision from a Transportation Right of Way Agent Specialist Senior or other administrative manager.

Scope: Positions in this class are responsible for completing parts of right of way projects within a given district. The work facilitates the accuracy and reliability of other processes and services.

Impact Of Actions: Effective job performance results in the timely completion of phases or portions of right of way projects and cost containment. This facilitates the safety and well being of clients and the public.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with individuals are made to obtain technical information and to provide right of way information on projects; and with the judicial system to testify as an expert witness.

Knowledge: Some knowledge of real estate methods and procedures such as basic appraisal techniques, negotiation methods, and relocation methods, and business math to include percentage and acreage calculations.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to research, collect, document and draw conclusions from data in report form; to retrieve, store and manipulate information stored in automated systems; to make accurate mathematical computations: read and interpret cartographic mans and survey information; to read and interpret federal, state and agency laws, rules and regulations; and to handle sensitive situations with property owners.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: Valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Education or Training: Graduation from high school, supplemented by course work in business or real estate.

Level and Type of Experience: Some experience in real estate, appraisal or related work.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class, formerly titled Transportation Land Acquisition Agent, was revised as a result of a Virginia Department of Transportation study, effective July 1992.