Now Hiring - Property and Acquisition Specialist 5 in Vancouver, WA

*Repost*

About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world's widest tunneling project.

The Opportunity
WSDOT is currently seeking to fill the vacancy of a Property & Acquisition Specialist 5. This position supervises, trains, develops, and leads staff involved in the property acquisition program for SW Region. This is a highly technical area that must understand and comply with Federal and State Rules & Regulations. This position is relied upon as the subject matter expert for all real property and personal property related to right of way activities and is responsible for compliance to ensure federal funding for projects is not jeopardized and all acquisitions are completed as required by law and within project schedules. This position is a key element of the right of way certification process that is required for WSDOT projects to be advertised for construction.

What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will:

• 
  Coordinate, develop, and implement a plan for completing all acquisitions and meeting all project ad dates.
• Participate in strategic and business planning activity work groups and quality improvement teams.
• Coordinate and make final reviews and revisions of work force studies, funding requests, budgets, schedules, and legal documents.
• Coordinate and provide a comprehensive review of each acquisition transmittal file.
• Initiate action as required to address any deficiencies or errors in acquisition process and documentation. Coordinate and make recommendations in the investigation of title issues of record of potential parcels to be acquired for WSDOT purposes.
• Meet with public and private property owners to negotiate fair market compensation for permanent and temporary property acquisitions.
• Respond to inquiries from the public, consultant firms, and internal WSDOT departments and advise a course of action concerning right of way activities.
• Supervise, lead, train, develop, mentor, and monitor staff and consultants involved in property acquisition program, and make decisions of project assignments, workload balancing, training pathways and workforce development strategies, work scheduling, community outreach methods, and the implementation of practical solutions.
• Evaluate performance of staff and consultants. Prioritize and review work assignments.

• Bachelor’s degree involving major study in business or public administration, real estate, economics, accounting, or related field AND
• Three (3) years of experience in real property negotiations, right of way acquisitions and title activities on public property or for a governmental agency.

• One (1) year as a PAS 4 (or its equivalent with a minimum of 3 years of experience providing real property negotiations and right of way acquisitions and title activities on public property or for a governmental agency) AND
• A valid driver's license AND
• Possession of a Washington State Notary Public license, or ability to obtain one within six months.
• Experience supervising a team of professionals, including effective training, mentoring, conflict resolution and performance management.
• Experience working independently and applying sound analysis to make decisions concerning acquisition of property and negotiation strategies.
• Experience understanding instructions, setting priorities and meeting required deadlines.

• Experience working and making decisions independently.
• Experience reading, understanding, and interpreting technical and highly specialized written material and convey that material to both technical and non-technical staff and the general public.
• Knowledge of highway access control, for both limited and managed access highways.
• Knowledge of acquisition requirements based on current law and policies.
• Personal computer skills associated with the various office related software.

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 357-16-197 mandates that all employees who work for executive cabinet agencies (which includes the Department of Transportation) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Compliance with this mandate is a condition of employment with WSDOT. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes; however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit [please apply online]
  Why WSDOT
  
  • Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
  • Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees earn a minimum 14 paid vacation days per year!
  • Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
  • Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.
  
  Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?
  
  How to Apply
  Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
  In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:
  
  • An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
  • An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications, and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
  • Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.
  
  Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in, or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.
  
  WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.
  
  WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit [please apply online]
  Contact us
  For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Daisha Jordan, at [please apply online]. Please be sure to reference 22DOT-SWR-40014 in the subject line.