Career Center

The City of Tacoma is establishing a list for the Senior Real Estate Specialist - Real Property Agent classification. This list will be used for a period of one year to fill vacancies in this classification. This is a represented position and will be located at either the City's Municipal Building or Tacoma Public Utilities. This position may service all General Government Departments or Tacoma Public Utilities Divisions. We are looking for a results-oriented person who is interested in diverse and challenging real property, right of way and/or utility projects to join our dynamic Real Property Services team.
 
This is the second highest level in the real estate classification series. Positions in this classification serve as technical experts for their clients. The responsibilities of this classification include providing professional, high level services in property management, acquisition, disposition, research, rights-of-way and utility property rights and management.  
 

In order to be considered for this exciting opportunity, the successful Senior Real Estate Specialist candidate will demonstrate the skill and ability to perform the following job duties:

• Review and provide comment on submitted plans utilizing the City's Accela electronic program.
• Review permit requests for compliance with City, State and Federal codes and laws regarding rights of way and City-owned real property.
• Prepare and manage a variety of real property/right of way agreements with third parties.
• Prepare or participate in necessary real property activities and studies associated with capital projects such as: title research/review, plan/survey review, preparation/review of project notification letters, preparation/review of cost estimates; mitigation studies and assemblage of properties; negotiate with property owners; permit with State, Federal, Tribal agencies as may be required.
• Be familiar with WSDOT ROW Manual and LAG Manual. Prepare Project Funding Estimates, True Cost Estimates, and Administrative Offer Summaries as may be required.
• Utilize the City's Ariba Spend Management electronic program to secure contracts for real property/right of way related vendors and consultants.
• Complete daily timekeeping in ClickTime and weekly time-keeping in SAP.
• Assist in city arterial projects. Coordinate title work, survey work, real property appraisals; and review appraisals as may be required and assure all are in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with agencies, including but not limited to, Department of Ecology, Department of Natural Resources, FHWA, WSDOT, Pierce County, Port of Tacoma, Sound Transit, Pierce County, Army Corp Engineers, Bureau of Indian Affairs and with other entities such as BNSF Railway Co.
• Prepare and manage a variety of written materials related to real property transactions including communication with property owners and interested parties, letters of intent, City Council and Utility Board memorandum and resolutions for action.

 Our Ideal Candidate will have:

• Engaging, positive personality who enjoys leading project teams on complex projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with internal and external clients
• Experience and familiarity with real property title concepts and instruments
• Experience and familiarity with real property management concepts and instruments including lease and agreement creation and management
• Ability to read, analyze and review land surveys, construction plans, building plans and specifications
• Knowledge and skill using Geographic Information System (GIS) for property records research and maintenance
• Real property / right of way acquisition experience
• Knowledge in determining property valuation and appraisal concepts
• Knowledge of survey concepts

The Principles that Guide Us:
Tacoma, the City of Destiny, has a workforce of dedicated, talented and open-minded employees with unique skills and perspectives. We embrace innovation and strive for excellence and community engagement in all that we do. The Principles that Guide Us, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Equity, speak to the values that we embody as City of Tacoma employees, and represent the core of our work in public service.

Essential Duties:
The Senior Real Estate Specialist is a union-represented position; the scope of work may include but is not limited to the following class specification essential duties:

• Work on various real estate projects for a variety of stakeholders and customers including acquisitions, dispositions, research, and issue resolution.
• Analyze title reports, contracts, judgments, court records, and other documents to determine legal status and effect upon title. Verify titles and records of deeds, easements and permits. Research RCW's, WAC's and local regulations and code for compliance in the acquisition, sale, lease and management of real property, vacation of street right of way and franchises.
• Manage City's real property and rights of way to detect and resolve problems involving encroachments, abuses, dumping and safety.
• Negotiate real property rights.
• Coordinate real estate closing process with escrow agencies in compliance with accepted business practices.
• Coordinate the appraisal and review appraisals with qualified certified appraisers; ensure appraisal is in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and policies. Evaluate and make recommendation on the value for use of City property.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of real property records, reports, maps, files and correspondence; interpret and write legal descriptions.
• Work safely and cooperatively with coworkers and the public.
• Perform related duties as assigned.    

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Typical office environment with field work involving driving vehicles; working outdoors in all types of weather conditions and traversing uneven terrain as necessary.
Occasionally working evenings and weekends.    

Knowledge & Skills

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Effective project management techniques.
Real estate, title and appraisal work and practices used in real property transactions.
Methods and techniques used in managing, valuing, purchasing and selling real property.
Federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to real estate acquisition and appraisal, including Eminent Domain and Uniform Relocation Act.
Legal instruments affecting the transfer, sale and lease of real property.
Survey principles and legal description requirements as they relate to interpreting and writing legal descriptions.
Basic math.

SKILLS:
Effective project management skills.
Excellent customer service skills.
Communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing and maintain effective public relations.
Read and interpret engineering plans, property maps, and title reports.
Interpret and write legal descriptions.
Estimate real property value.
Work independently and exercise sound judgment.
Use personal computers and associated software such as word processing and spreadsheets.
Maintain records and prepare reports. 

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

To be considered for this opportunity: 
Interested individuals must complete the online application and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Candidates who are eligible for Veteran's Preference scoring criteria must attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4, (proof of military discharge form) at time of application, to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference, with redacted birth date and social security numbers.

Examination Process: 
This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated on the basis of education, certifications, professional license and related experience.  Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have Supplemental Questions #7-12 scored as the Experience and Training Test for this position.  It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers.  DO NOT respond with "see resume" in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a failing score.  

Candidates who obtain a passing score on the Experience and Training test will be placed on an eligible list for hiring consideration for a period of one year. Any vacancy that comes up within the one year period of time will draw from candidates on the eligible list for potential interview and hiring consideration. 

This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Local 17 PTE. Appointment is subject to passing a pre-employment background and references check. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification. 


WHY WORK FOR THE CITY?

The City of Tacoma offers a generous program of employee benefits:

• Outstanding working conditions and an exceptional quality-of-life environment.
• Medical coverage for eligible employees, spouses and dependents, including children up to age 26.
• Vision care with VSP for employees and eligible dependents enrolled in the Regence PPO medical plan with vision benefits.
• Dental coverage for eligible employees and their elected dependents, including dependent children up to the age of 26.
• Deferred compensation allowing tax-deferred savings as authorized under Section 457 of the IRS Code.
• Personal time off.
• Paid holidays.
• A great pension plan.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress.  One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play. 

Our City:
With a population of over 210,000, Tacoma is the second largest city in the Puget Sound region, gracing the shores of Commencement Bay. We are a diverse, progressive, international city that serves as a gateway to the Pacific Rim and the rest of the world.  Named one of the most livable areas in the country by Livability.com, Tacoma and the surrounding area is a playground for outdoor and maritime enthusiasts.  Our businesses are vibrant, our parks are beautiful, our schools are exceptional and our housing is affordable.

When you work for the City of Tacoma you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work/life balance, the potential for flexible work schedules (with some job classifications), continuing education programs, leadership pathways, wellness incentives and a total rewards benefits program. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny: 

http://www.cityoftacoma.org/   
http://www.traveltacoma.com/ 
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/newhires

The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success.  This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
 

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, please call Human Resources at (253) 591.5400 before 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement. 

Qualifications

An equivalent combination to:

Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with specialization in Land Management, Business Administration, Property Management or related field

AND
Two (2) years' experience in the real estate field;

OR
Two (2) years' college education in the above fields with three (3)years' related experience in the real estate field;

OR
Four (4) years' experience in real estate.


DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with the following: 

• Drafting and interpreting legal instruments regarding real property 
• Negotiating with owners for real property rights
• Permitting with agencies 
• Property research and right of way management 
• Management of real property and any associated leases, licenses, permits, and agreements related to the same

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid Washington State driver's license at time of appointment and maintenance thereafter.
Obtain State Notary license within six (6) months of being hired and maintenance thereafter.