Real Property Agent - Long-Term Temporary

Seattle Public Utilities' (SPU) real Property Services team is seeking a Real Property Agent to provide real estate services, on a temporary basis, for SPU utility infrastructure systems (Water, Drainage, Wastewater, and Solid Waste) and for Corporate Services. This position is responsible for a wide range of real estate tasks in support of operations and maintenance programs, capital investment projects, permits and agreements, developer services, other agency projects, and manages SPU real property permits, agreements and street vacations, acquiring, permitting, leasing and selling real property, and other property rights.
 The position reports to the Real Property Services Division Director in SPU's Financial and Risk Services Branch.
 
This temporary assignment is expected to last through October of 2022 and included Medical, Dental and Vision benefits as well as paid vacation, sick leave and holidays. 

We will consider candidates who may be available on a Part-Time basis
 
About Seattle Public Utilities:   Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a Community Centered Utility working to make Seattle the best place to live for everyone. We deliver high quality, vital services, across four major lines of business: providing water, solid waste, drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses. In addition, SPU provides drinking water for 1.5 million regional customers in Seattle and other municipalities. Our customers depend on us to deliver high quality, reliable, and cost-conscious utility services and to achieve the highest benefits possible for every investment we make.
     
SPU commits to  and  as core principles that guide our work. We support and hold ourselves accountable to this commitment by eliminating barriers to access and providing employees with equitable opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Job Responsibilities

 

• Manage properties and right-of-way under SPU ownership and control, including negotiations, calculating fair market rental rates, and drafting legal documents and instruments such as purchase and sale agreements leases, easements, deeds, plat dedication language, franchises, licenses, permits, interagency agreements, covenants, consents, MOU’s and MOA’s and coordinating with the City Law Department 
• Negotiate on behalf of SPU with owners, brokers, tenants, and property managers to acquire, permit, lease, manage and dispose of complex and financially significant parcels of land or rights. Recommend initiation of condemnation when necessary to acquire real property 
• Perform comprehensive legal research into property transactions and interpret findings for deeds, contracts, easements, title searches, right-of-way restrictions, zoning, land use requirements, encumbrances, appraisals, and value analysis, environmental impacts, project permits, escrow accounts and franchise rights 
• Maintain real property records through data systems and original records management; record retention procedures 
• Maintain high level of intra- and inter-departmental teamwork, customer relations and communication, providing updates to division and departmental leadership and leveraging partnerships appropriately 
• Read, create and interpret real property legal descriptions 
• Prepare, order, and interpret complex appraisal and environmental site assessment reports 
• Prepare contracts and coordinate contractor/vendor real estate activities, including surveying, title, escrow, appraisal, site assessment, negotiation, valuation analysis, brokerage and relocation. Manage, monitor and report on contracts 
• Prepare and present legislation for Department leadership, City Council consideration, and the public 
• Resolve encroachments and other legal challenges involving SPU real estate interests and support Claims and Public Disclosure requests 
• Participate in developing and recommending short and long range goals, objectives, changes in process, policies, procedures, and practices 
• Represent the City or Department at interagency meetings public hearings, City Council community meetings, and conferences. 

Qualifications

Experience: Requires two years of full-time experience in real property sales, acquisition, management or appraisal.
Education: Associates Degree in Real Estate or a related field, or one additional year of qualifying experience.
License and Certification: Current Washington State Driver’s License
 
The ideal candidate will have some of the following qualifications and a strong desire to learn the other qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Law, Urban Planning, or related field 
• 3+ years of experience in real estate acquisitions, dispositions, conveyance documents, and property management for a utility, government, or a large institutional property owner 
• Experience with water, wastewater, or other utility real estate transactions and right-of-way (ROW) property management 
• Local, State, or Federal government experience 
• Experience with real property legal descriptions, appraisals, title research, and interpreting engineering plans and drawings 
• Strong team-building, relationship management, and customer service skills 
• Strong negotiating, project management, analytical and organizational skills 
• Advanced computer, geographic information, and software skills (such as Visio, ESRI, ArcMap, Microsoft Projects, and SharePoint) 
• Experience working with elected officials, community outreach, and public processes 
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and graphics communication skills. 

 Work environment/Physical demands: 
General working hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The work is performed in an office setting, by telecommuting agreement, as well as out in the field at customer facilities; individual will drive a City vehicle for use during business hours to drive to and from various locations. Some telecommuting options may be an option after the initial training/onbaording period. Field assignments entail exposure to all types of weather and traffic. Must be able to stand, walk climb, and bend for extended periods of time when needed.
       
 Supplement to Application 
 As a part of the application process, you must submit with your application your current Resume and  Cover Letter. In your Cover Letter, please address any experience with Utility and/or government agency real estate transactions and your experience with property and/or right-of-way management.    
     

Additional Information

At Seattle Public Utilities, our job is to protect the area's quality of life. We pledge to meet community and environmental needs by: 

• Maintaining some of the nation's best drinking water   
• Preventing sewer backups, flooding, and landslides   
• Helping Seattle residents and businesses be recycling leaders   
• Protecting local waterways and the Sound from sewage overflows and polluted stormwater runoff.   

We do this while always keeping in mind that we need to spend customers' money wisely.
     
We are also making sure that as Seattle grows, it's even better for future generations. A place where:

• Less garbage is shipped to the landfill   
• The drinking water is protected   
• Utility infrastructure is well-built and maintained   

And where salmon thrive in healthy waterways.
Seattle is known as a progressive leader in technology, innovation, and the environment.
   
As an employer, the City of Seattle is a leading local government in environmental stewardship, Green Building and social justice, making our City what it is today and shaping our future. Our employees play an important role in making this possible.
   
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