County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to perform responsible work in connection with the appraisal and acquisition of property and property rights for public purposes; to implement the Relocation Assistance Program and prepare relocation studies and valuation reports; to prepare property descriptions and documents for the conveyance of property and rights therein; to assist in the supervision of right-of-way operations and in the training of personnel; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the journey-level class in right-of-way acquisition procedure connected with highly technical appraisal and cost estimate studies of property and rights therein, complex acquisitions, property management, surplus land sales, relocation assistance, and document preparation for the Real Estate Division of the Public Works Agency. Associate Right-of-Way Agents are distinguished from the next lower class of Assistant Right-of-Way Agents, in that the former has a full range of complex, responsible duties and works with a greater degree of independence, with lead responsibilities, providing technical assistance and guidance to the Assistant Right-of-Way Agents. The difference in complexity of assignments is illustrated by the Associate performing duties, such as appraisals and complex acquisitions involving partial acquisitions, difficult public relation techniques, determination of severance damages, project management and control, preparation of relocation studies, valuation reports and processing relocation claims. The Assistants are not assigned duties of this type which require greater expertise and responsibility for independent judgment and action based on knowledge and experience.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Prepares complex appraisal and cost estimate valuations of property involving appraisal theories, highest and best use analysis, the evaluation of partial takings, easements, analysis of severance damages by using recognized appraisal techniques and other guides, such as court decisions that are appropriate in unusual cases; analyzes data concerning real estate values, market trends and construction cost data and prepares written reports on findings and recommendations.

2. Negotiates with property owners, or their attorneys, to acquire property, easements, and permits to enter in order to enable a public works project to be constructed; explains a project to a lay person, as well as the type of property or right needed for the project, how the just compensation to be paid was arrived at and the engineering impacts of the proposed project; prepares contracts and related documents to effect the conveyance of the necessary property rights and process the related papers to clear title and conclude an acquisition.

3. Processes the paperwork necessary to institute an action in eminent domain when the acquisition process is unsuccessful; assist in the supervision and process on condemnation proceedings.

4. Confers and corresponds with member of the County Counsel's office, title companies, and other agencies to resolve questions of matters that affect title to a property, legal questions and interpretation of the laws affecting real property or procedural and valuation questions that relate to the right-of-way function.

5. Supervises and personally performs the preparation, assembly and processing of maps, right-of-way drawings and documents necessary for the completion of various types of property conveyances and valuation projects.

6. Assists in the on-the-job training and supervision of Assistant Right-of-Way Agents, giving advice and guidance on difficult appraisal, acquisition, title, relocation, and State and federal rules and regulations, and may take charge of right-of-way operations in the absence of the supervisor.

7. When required, prepares legal descriptions, and/or signs the same, requests and analyzes field survey work, assists in the preparation of maps and drawings; orders title reports, evaluates the same, analyzes records of survey, tract maps, parcel maps, engineering drawings and relates these documents to the rights needed for a project.

8. Implements the Uniform Relocation Assistance Program to process claims from persons and businesses displaced by a public improvement project; prepares relocation valuation studies and relocation studies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of two years’ full-time experience as an Assistant Right-of-Way Agent in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university, with major work in economics business administration, engineering or another field related to the required knowledge. (Two additional years of the required experienced may be substituted for the degree requirement),

AND

Experience:

Either I

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the class of an Engineering Staff Assistant III or an equivalent or higher level class, working in the Public Works Agency, Survey Section, in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or

The equivalent of three years’ full-time responsible work experience in the appraisal of, and negotiation for, real property for purposes of acquisition.

License/Professional Designations:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license is required. Senior Designation or Candidacy by International Right-of-Way Association is desirable.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Methods, practices and theories used in the appraisal of real property and rights therein.
• Economic and environmental factors that play a role in establishing real estate values and the market for the same.
• Costs and problems associated with the relocation of improvements, such as driveways, fences, landscaping, and related improvements impacted by a public improvement project.
• Procedures and documents used to transfer title of real property and rights therein.
• Laws and practices of public sector property acquisitions, including relocation assistance, land title, survey practices and basic engineering theory.
• Property management practices and laws.
• Processing of surplus real property for disposal.

Ability to:

• Conduct difficult acquisitions by identifying problems which can impair the consummation of an acquisition and arrive at solutions to such problems.
• Interpret maps, legal documents and descriptions, and engineering plans.
• Train and assist in the supervision of lower-level personnel in matters of right-of-way acquisition, appraisals, and right of way engineering.
• Analyze economic data, documents that impact title and interests in property and arrive at strategies for acquisition, appraisals, relocation studies, and to affect a conveyance of fee title or an easement interest.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with persons impacted by the agency program.
• Prepare accurate and concise written reports and communications.
• Communicate verbally with the public.
• Physically conduct field inspections of properties.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Old document: 0273H
BL:rr
5/78
HC:pb
Revised 2/93
DF:sw
Updated 11/16/93
New document: Jobspecs/2515
ys/1/01

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.