The posting
Job Description
Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Essential functions and job-related requirements, including physical and cognitive demands, are described below. This job description outlines the general scope of duties and responsibilities and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all tasks that may be assigned.
MAJOR FUNCTION
Public contact work. assisting in negotiations with property owners and/or their legal representatives to secure property interests needed for County projects. Assist with the maintenance of County's land inventory, process street lighting districts, and prepare vacations of rights-of-way and/or easements.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
- Assists with acquisition of property through negotiations with property or business owners and/or their representatives to acquire those real property interests needed for right-of- way, property and/or easements required for County project construction and/or maintenance activities.
- Assists with disposition of County real property designated as surplus; processing of citizen petitions for vacation of County easements and for street lighting district; drafting, processing, and management of leases; document management; asset management; provide assistance to citizens having questions and concerns regarding real property located within the County.
- Drafts settlement justifications to achieve approval of negotiated settlements. In preparation for acquiring real property, assists with verification of legal descriptions, appraisal information, and clearing title encumbrances by preparing, and recording releases.
- Assists in preparing the necessary legal instruments; (i.e.: deeds, leases, titles, mortgage releases, options, agreements, maps, etc.) required to acquire property and easements over private or public lands. Reviews property tax information, obtains tax prorations, and assists in closings on real property.
- Drafts and assembles condemnation suit information packages to ensure processing of eminent domain lawsuits in a timely manner.
- Performs activities necessary to acquire parcels identified in the route study and approved for Advanced acquisition, which are in addition to parcels shown in the current OP program and production schedules.
- Maintains all assigned parcels folders with proper documentation and executed and/or ream: led documents.
- Inputs and monitors data onto projects status reports or systems for an acquisition activity.
- Drafts legal documents, maintaining section, and project files; prepares agendas for Board's consideration; interprets right-of-way maps and project plans for property owners and the public as requested.
- Assists with consultants monitoring to ensure compliance with County, State and Federal Regulations and Procedures regarding acquisition functions.
- Responds to questions and concerns of the property and/or business owner and interacts with other County departments, municipalities, state, and federal agencies.
- May be required to attend public meetings outside normal business hours to respond to citizens inquiries related to County projects.
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS
- Knowledgeable in the acquisition of real property as it relates to right-of-way and easements acquisition; purchase of real property through various methods, to include condemnation and voluntary acquisitions; disposition of surplus County property; and working with other County departments to define and vacate County easements and petitions for the street lighting district.
- Knowledgeable in the practices and procedures required to appraise and value property.
- Knowledgeable in real estate title research and conveyance processes.
- Knowledgeable in the preparation, execution, and management of leases as both the lessor and lessee.
- Knowledgeable in the practices and procedures associated with property and asset management, including asset tracking of real property and project costs.
- Knowledge of maps and construction plans.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing as well as work independently and adhere to prescribed routines and practices.
- Ability to prepare or draft routine documents and compose business letters, memoranda, and other related office documents.
- Ability to prepare property legal descriptions and conveyance documents.
- Strong skills in document management practices and the use of databases and other software.
- Strongly skilled in interacting with internal and external customers to work effectively with a wide variety of team members including the County Attorney's Office, County Administration, public citizens, officials, and other employees.
- Strongly skilled in problem solving and decision making, with a working knowledge of real estate law and property management techniques.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate degree in a related field
and
- One (1) year of experience in right-of-way/land acquisition or a graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma and have a minimum of three (3) years of experience in right-of-way/land acquisition.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel and occasionally climb a ladder. Duties are primarily conducted in an office environment; however, outdoor work is also required.
- Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver's license at the time of employment.
- Must be a Florida Notary Public or be able to qualify for a Florida Notary Public Commission within 30 days of employment.
- A comparable amount of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications except for a Florida driver's license and qualifying for a Notary Public Commission.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- This full-time position is based in Polk County, Florida. Flexibility may be required to support emergencies outside of regular business hours.
All Polk County BoCC employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the county and its residents.
