City of Tampa

This is highly responsible managerial and technical work in directing the city’s program of property acquisition, management, and disposal, including pre-suit and eminent domain transactions.

An employee in this class, under administrative direction, establishes policies for and manages the process of acquisition, leasing, and disposition of property for the city, including managing eminent domain transactions and Florida Department of Transportation right-of-way policy transactions. Work is of considerable difficulty and requires the application of considerable initiative and independent judgment conducting negotiations, securing appraisals and reviewing projects for property needs. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports submitted, and results obtained. Appointed position; employee serves at the pleasure of the Mayor.

Establishes policies and procedures for real estate acquisition and disposition and for management of leases; provides information services on city-owned real estate.

Proactively researches opportunities for property acquisitions. Assists in development of strategies for acquisitions and utilization/disposition of surplus City properties.

Discusses highly technical issues relating to presuit process with attorneys, engineers, appraisers, consultants, City staff and property owners; analyzes specialized data (valuation, engineering, land planning, title, etc.) for feasibility and reasonableness utilizing generally accepted industry standards, federal, state and city guidelines; analyzes counteroffers, prepares counteroffers; analyzes and resolves complex issues involved in arriving at acceptable settlements; recommends settlements.

Prepares suit packages, attends order of Taking Hearings, Mediations and Settlement Conferences.

Confers with Florida Department of Transportation R/W personnel to discuss and solve complex issues, analyzes their input and direction in order to confirm compliance with applicable Federal and state acquisition guidelines, thereby safeguarding Federal and State funding.

Acts as city liaison for real estate activities with other agencies such as the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, Port Authority, Aviation Authority, and other governmental entities; manages department contracts with title insurance companies, appraisers, and environmental engineering companies.

Coordinates planning and scheduling of real estate transactions with other City departments to ensure timely acquisitions of utility right-of-way and public facilities sites; prepares reports on project status; and provides consulting services to other City departments.

Plans, assigns, and reviews work of subordinate technical employees engaged in conducting negotiations related to the acquisition, disposition and use of real property; assists with difficult or unusual transactions; provides continuous training in work methods and procedures for the application of local, state and federal rules, regulations and laws.

Reviews appraisals relative to real property transactions; initiates the drafting of agreements related to real property transactions; prepares legislation as required; determines what legal documents are required in order to obtain clear title to property being acquired; prepares documents; verifies ownership of real property and interest of other parties and physically inspects property to be acquired; reviews title information, maps, surveys and appraisal reports.

Attends meetings with owners and/or communities affected by an acquisition and/or sale; conducts negotiations on real property transactions; provides assistance to various departments in interpreting provisions of real property documents; conducting studies and preparing reports concerning the disposition of surplus city-owned properties.

Makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline and promotion of subordinates; authorizes leave; counsels subordinates on job related problems; evaluating and rating employee performance.

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge of: real estate practices, procedures and laws; the requirements of form, content, and recording necessary to validate real estate documents; methods of appraisal of property; real estate title and valuation work; state eminent domain law including Florida Statutes 73.015; Department of Transportation right-of-way policies, procedures and acquisition requirements; modern management practices and procedures; application of data processing to office operations, including record maintenance.

Ability to: read and interpret technical location plans and property descriptions; plan, assign, direct, and coordinate the work of professional, para-professional and clerical employees in a manner that promotes full performance; write and speak clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings; establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, directors, managers, and employees, representatives of property owners, lending institutions and the general public; plan, organize and refine operating procedures; set clear objectives and measures and monitor process, progress and results.

Mostly sedentary, indoors, requires extended use of computer, typing and viewing monitor.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, economics, real estate, or related area and seven (7) years of experience in property acquisition, management and disposal, eminent domain processes, including five (5) years supervisory experience.

Possession of a valid driver's license is required. A Florida Real Estate Sales Associate License is required.

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.