TRANSPORTATION RIGHT OF WAY AGENT SPECIALIST SENIOR 54073

07/01/92 B

This is the third 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 regularly and routinely lead, guide, review, and approve the work of Transportation Right of Way Agents and Transportation Right of Way Agent Specialists and/or consultants in one or more of the three major Right of Way program areas. These positions function as an Appraisal Reviewer; serve as a lead worker over all district staff in Negotiation and/or Relocation/Property Management; and/or review and approve the work of consultants. This class is distinguished from the Transportation Right of Way Agent Specialist class by its primary responsibility to lead, guide, review, and approve the work of lower-level agents and/or consultants on an ongoing basis. It is distinguished from positions in the Transportation District Right of Way Assistant Manager class by the latter's responsibility to manage and coordinate one or more Right of Way program units.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty as a lead worker and/or consultant liaison in one or more of the major right of way program areas.

Appraisal: Reviews, recommends revisions and/or corrections, and approves appraisals prepared by staff, fee, or consultant appraisers for all types of real property to determine fair market value. Inspects affected property and checks supporting appraisal documentation. Conducts review appraisals and prepares determination of fact statements in cases of disputed staff or consultant appraisal results. Provides technical direction, assistance, and training to staff, fee, and consultant appraisers in appraisal methods and techniques and monitors the status of work in progress in order to meet schedule dates. Serves as an expert witness in condemnation proceedings by testifying as to the value of property and right of way methods and procedures.

Negotiations: Reviews negotiation reports prepared by staff or consultant negotiators and recommends approval of offers made to landowners based on fair market value. Provides technical direction and assistance to staff and consultant negotiators in working to resolve negotiations and monitors the status of work in progress in order to meet schedule dates. Participates in field inspections and makes recommendations for plan revisions in relation to property to be acquired. Provides technical assistance to attorneys in condemnation proceedings and serves as an expert witness in order to explain highway plans relative to right of way acquisition. Monitors the status of agreements after certificates and reviews and prepares justifications to support recommendations for administrative settlements. Reviews deeds of conveyance and final agreements prior to release to landowners.

Relocation/Property Management: Reviews and approves pre-acquisition and relocation reports, replacement housing payments, mortgage interest differential payments, and moving allowances prepared by staff and consultants for compliance with standard right of way rules and regulations. Provides technical guidance and assistance to staff and consultants in relocation/ property management methods and monitors work in progress in order to meet schedule dates. Makes on-site inspections of subject and comparable sales properties to determine validity of report content. Oversees the preparation of relocation studies to include conceptual stage reports in order to estimate the impact of project on displacees, availability of comparable housing, and the approximate cost of relocation. Provides technical direction to staff in all phases of property management to include the setting of property retention values for buildings, residue parcels, and performance bonds; conducting of sales; and the preparation of lease agreements, sales contracts, and deeds of conveyance.

Supervision Given: Provides technical direction and training to and reviews and approves the work of Transportation Right of Way Agents, Transportation Land Right of Way Agent Specialists, and/or consultants. Some positions in this class provide general supervision and direction to Transportation Right of Way Agents and Specialists.

Supervision Received: Receives direction from a Transportation District Assistant Right of Way Manager.

Scope: Reviews and approves right of way actions in an assigned program area within a transportation district. Work facilitates the accuracy and reliability of other processes and services to include other agency divisions, landowners, and the public.

Impact of Actions: Effective job performance results in the prompt acquisition of right of way which is essential to the agency in implementing its construction and maintenance programs; facilitates project cost containment; and ensures the fair treatment of property owners in highway real estate transactions. Errors could result in costly project development delays, improper acquisition or disposal of property, or significant property owner issues after construction.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with agency, state, and federal officials, attorneys, community real estate professionals, and the general public are made to respond to inquiries, to obtain property information, to acquire or dispose of property, and to testify as an expert witness.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of real estate methods and procedures such as recognized appraisal techniques, negotiation methods, and relocation methods and options; conflict resolution techniques; and federal, state, and agency laws, rules, and regulations specific to the program area of assignment. Working knowledge of basic supervisory principles and practices to review and approve the work of lower level agents and consultants.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to analyze statistical data, weight facts, and arrive at legally supportable conclusions; to communicate effectively with agency officials and the public; to train and technically supervise the work of others; to plan, prioritize, and monitor a variety of projects and maintain adherence to scheduled time frames; to analyze property values for a broad spectrum of properties and prepare complex appraisals or detailed descriptions and legal instruments; and to retrieve, store, and manipulate information stores in automated systems.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: Valid motor vehicle operator's license at hire.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in real estate, urban studies, real estate law, business, or other related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Progressively responsible experience in one or more major right of way program areas.

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 Right of Way Agent Senior, was revised as a result of a Virginia Department of Transportation study, effective July 1992.