Senior Real Property Agent

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Real Property team is seeking a Senior Real Property Agent to support project initiation and property option analysis for SPU utility infrastructure systems (water, drainage, wastewater, and solid waste) and for Corporate Services. This agent evaluates development and revenue opportunities, prepares cost analysis, negotiates, and acquires the real property and property rights, disposes of surplus property, manages SPU property and property information, and performs complex and financially significant real estate functions on behalf of SPU. This position reports to the Real Property Division Manager.

About Seattle Public Utilities:   

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a Community Centered Utility whose mission is to foster healthy people, environment, and economy by partnering with our community to equitably manage water and waste resources for today and future generations. 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.

Enjoy the following benefits (and more):  

• Family-friendly multi-cultural work environment      
• Competitive health care plans      
• Free public transportation options      
• 10 paid holidays and two (2) additional personal holidays (increases occur with years of service)
• 12 paid days of vacation per year       
• 12 paid days of sick leave per year      
• Deferred compensation plan      
• Employer/employee contributions to City pension plan

 

Job Responsibilities

 

• Manages properties and right-of-ways under Seattle Public Utilities ownership and control; including negotiations, calculating fair market rental rates and drafting of 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.  Coordinates with the City Law Department.
• Negotiates and conducts the acquisition, disposal, lease, boundary lot adjustment and utilization of complex and financially significant parcels of lands or rights on behalf of Seattle Public Utilities.  Recommends initiation of condemnation when necessary to acquire real property.  Coordinates with the City Law Department. May appear in court as an expert witness.
• Performs comprehensive legal research into property transactions such as deeds, contracts, easements, title searches, escrow accounts, right-of-way restrictions, zoning, land use requirements, encumbrances, appraisals and value analysis, environmental impacts, project permits, franchise rights, interprets information and prepares findings in written and presentation format.
• Maintains real property records through data system management, original records management and records retention procedures.
• Maintains a high level of intra-departmental teamwork, customer relations and communication, providing updates to Division and Department leadership and brings them into the business process at appropriate times for decision-making.
• Reads, creates and interprets real property legal descriptions.
• Prepares, orders and interprets complex property appraisals and environmental site assessment reports.  Prepares contracts, coordinates contractor/vendor real estate activities including survey, brokerage, title, escrow, appraisal, site assessment, valuation analysis, negotiations and relocation services. 
• Prepares and presents legislation for Department leadership, City Council consideration and the general public.
• Assists in developing and recommending goals, objectives, changes in processes, policies, procedures, and practices.  Prepares and documents procedures and practices for use by SPU employees.
• Provides lead duties in training, planning, scheduling subordinate's work and by providing expert guidance and explanation of business processes, procedures, and practices.
• Represents the City or Department at interagency meetings, public hearings, City Council, community meetings and conferences involving real property matters.
• Performs other related duties of a comparable level as assigned.

 

Qualifications

 

The Ideal Candidate Profile:  

• Integrity, honesty, and cultural versatility.
• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Law, Urban Planning, or related field.
• 3+ years' experience in real estate acquisitions, dispositions, conveyance documents, and property management for a Utility, government, or a large institutional property owner.
• Experience with water, drainage, wastewater, or other Utility real estate transactions and Right-of-Way (ROW) property management.
• Local, State, or Federal government experience.
• Ability to become a Notary Public and a certified senior member of the International Right of Way Associate.
• Strong negotiation skills with proven track record of successful acquisition work on complex projects.
• Demonstrated understanding of appraisals, evaluations, legal documents, and cost-benefit analysis.
• Demonstrated experience with real property legal descriptions, appraisals, title research, and interpreting engineering plans and drawings.
• Strong team building, relationship management, and customer service skills.
• Excellent project management, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Advanced computer, geographic information, and software skills (such as Visio, ESRI ArcMap, Microsoft Office and SharePoint).
• Experience drafting legislation, working with elected officials, community engagement, and public processes.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and graphics communication skills. ?
• Ability to work effectively within a multicultural workforce serving a diverse customer base.

Experience:

Education:  

Experience Equivalency: 

 License, Certification and Other Requirements: 

• Current WA State driver's license

Disclaimer: 

Additional Information

 

Additional Information: 

 

• Position requires field work and field site inspection.
• Position requires alternative assignment and alternate work location during a Utility or City-wide emergency event.
• A complete application and resume is required for this position. If you do not submit a complete application and resume, you will no longer be considered.

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

 

• Position requires field work and field site inspection.
• 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 is 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.

Telework Expectation: 

This posting lists the "Work Location" at the Seattle Municipal Tower in Seattle; however, we expect this position to work both remotely and in-person until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to seek guidance from local public health agencies and will proceed accordingly with any changes or needs regarding ‘workplace location' expectations.