REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed charm with top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Real Estate Specialist manages real estate disposition initiatives, with an emphasis on new construction development, major projects, vacant lot sales initiatives, and sale of historically significant improved properties.

Real Estate Development and Major Redevelopment Project Management

• Manage all aspects of multimillion-dollar development and redevelopment projects, including new construction and adaptive reuse. 
• Perform property evaluation and appraisal, issue requests for proposals, evaluate development proposals, coordinate environmental review and participate in drafting contracts and other documents.
• Perform closings and review completed projects for compliance with development agreements.
• Inventory and monitor City-owned properties. Inspect all properties that come into City ownership through tax foreclosure and recommend demolition of unsafe and deteriorated City properties.
• Lead the new construction development process from initial inquiry through compliance after construction.
• Assist developers with meeting City requirements and permit needs.
• Evaluate development projects as part of the Department of City Development (DCD) Design Review Team.

Manage City of Milwaukee Land Bank

• Manage the disposal of vacant lot sales under the $1 Lot Initiative.
• Appraise property and evaluate offers to purchase and development proposals, ensuring consistency with market data, adopted plans, design guidelines and City policies.
• Develop and implement marketing strategies for the disposal of City-owned property.
• Prepare Common Council resolutions and reports and present to legislative committees and other regulatory boards and commissions.
• Collaborate on designs and construction plans for appropriate residential and commercial development on varied City properties.

Manage Housing Infrastructure Preservation Fund

• Coordinate all aspects of Housing Infrastructure Preservation Fund, including budgeting for the restoration of historic structures the City acquires in tax foreclosure, creating grant agreements, presenting to regulatory boards, and evaluating program effectiveness.
• Recruit contractors, solicit and review bids, draft contracts, and produce scopes of work for City expenditure properties.
• Create historic restoration plans, in consultation with the Historic Preservation Commission.
• Review restoration work for compliance.
• Implement marketing plans for the sale of renovated homes and coordinate community and press outreach to reach sales goals.

Support Real Estate and Urban Planning Initiatives

• Promote and enforce sustainable and universal design principles.
• Coordinate urban agriculture initiatives with Milwaukee community groups, organize outreach and community input planning sessions and create community education plans.
• Collaborate with governmental entities, non-profits and private landowners on redevelopment plans for blighted areas of the City.
• Lead Vacant Land Re-use initiatives via research, community outreach, policy evaluation and implementation.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

1. Bachelor’s degree in real estate, urban planning, architecture or similar field from an accredited college or university.
2. Three years of professional experience in the acquisition and/or disposition of real estate or performing similar duties related to the position. 
3. Valid driver's license and the availability of a properly-insured personal vehicle for use on the job at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Automobile allowance is provided.

 Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered

IMPORTANT NOTE: College transcripts are required and must be received by the application period closing date. Transcripts should be emailed to the Human Resources Administrator, Vanessa Armstrong at vaarmst@milwaukee.gov. Student/unofficial copies are acceptable; however, your transcript must be legible and include your college/university name, your name, the degree completed (if applicable) and the date completed.

• Real Estate Broker’s License.
• Property appraisal experience.

Technical

• Knowledge of real estate, urban planning, architecture, and construction initiatives and principles.  
• Ability to evaluate development proposals and make financial assistance determinations.  
• Ability to understand financial information to perform accurate calculations.
• Computer skills to learn proprietary software, use spreadsheets, word processing software and email.
• Ability to read, assess and write reports, such as purchase and sale agreements and closing documentation.
• Ability to read and apply laws, codes and regulations.
• Knowledge of mapping, platting and legal descriptions.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Ability to work effectively with people from all cultural, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds to accomplish programmatic goals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, City staff, developers, property owners, and the general public.
• Customer service skills to ensure exceptional service.
• Effective written communication skills to create clear and concise business correspondence, develop marketing and community outreach materials, and prepare reports. 
• Verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people (e.g., property owners, developers, contractors, co-workers and community organizations) in person, over the telephone and in public settings.

Critical Thinking and Professionalism

• Ability to work accurately and prioritize and execute a large volume of projects with varying deadlines. 
• Detail orientation.
• Analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to recognize, analyze and recommend solutions.
• Ability to work efficiently and independently, exercise sound judgment to make decisions,
• Ability to work with a team, and train others. 
• Honesty and integrity for handling confidential information and politically sensitive issues.

The current salary range (Pay Range 2GX) is $69,286 - $74,974 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $71,364 - $77,223.  Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

Employees possessing an AICP certification will be paid an additional 3%.

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass  

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/benefits.

• Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which should be detailed in a cover letter, resume and transcripts (if applicable).
• Cover letter and resume must be sent via email to Human Resources Administrator, Vanessa Armstrong at vaarmst@milwaukee.gov by 4:45 p.m. on November 1, 2023
• Please indicate Real Estate Specialist in the subject line of the email.
• Questions relative to the selection process may be directed to HR Administrator Vanessa Armstrong at vaarmst@milwaukee.gov.
• The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process. 

INITIAL FILING DATE:

• The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after November 1, 2023
• Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.