
Website Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Job Description:
SMUD is currently looking to fill a Land Specialist position that will report to the Supervisor of Real Estate Services. In this position the successful candidate will support a wide range of SMUD departments, programs and projects through the acquisition, management and disposal of real property rights. The successful candidate will function in a land services role on major customer and internal capital projects that require a high level of experience and expertise in Land matters, including the responsibility for performing analyses on project land requirements, condition of property, valuation and negotiating complex land transactions.
To appraise and arrange for the acquisition of real property and easements (rights of way) to meet District facilities needs.
This classification is comprised of two levels: Level “E” is the entry-level where incumbents are provided formal training and/or certification for progression to the journey-level of the classification. The incumbent is promoted/progressed to the journey level “J” upon successful completion of all training and/or certification requirements for the classification. Incumbents hired at the entry-level are required to successfully progress to the journey-level within 18 to 60 months, depending on the length of the training and/or certification program. If an employee is unsuccessful with progressing to the journey-level they will return to last class held or separate from SMUD.
Job Responsibilities:
- Appraises, or directs and oversees consultants appraisal of, real property and easements (rights of way) for District generation, transmission, distribution, communication and administrative facilities, utilizing professionally accepted appraisal techniques; estimates the value of land and improvements; reviews appraisals; performs appraisal contract administration. To determine the fair value of property needed by the District.
- Negotiates (or oversees consultant negotiation) for the acquisition of real property and easements with property owners, attorneys, lessees, and/or other parties-in-interest, by purchase or voluntary grant; researches public records to verify property taxes and assessments, liens and encumbrances, and ownership; prepares cost estimates, feasibility studies, and other special reports; prepares escrow instructions and all documents involved in and necessary for property and easements acquisition; develops and negotiates leases of property for District use; prepares and secures approval for special realty contracts and agreements. To acquire real property and interests therein for the District.
- Performs property management functions for assigned land projects up to their release for construction by performing such duties as coordinating and overseeing the operation of the properties; making field inspections of the properties as required; reviewing and approving professional service contracts and other consultant work; preparing and evaluating feasibility studies and financial analyses; and maintaining comprehensive and accurate records. To maintain District properties properly for District use, leasing or sale in accordance with local, state and federal laws and regulations.
- Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of legal factors having a bearing on current and proposed land use by the District by reviewing and analyzing legislation, litigation, special assessment districts, zoning regulations, and asset management activities. To ensure District compliance with all legal requirements.
- Facilitates approval of District land use projects by developing and making oral and written recommendations and presentations to District executive management and governmental bodies. To minimize project delay and redesign.
- Provides information to the public, i.e., property owners, devel- opers, consultants, tenants, public entities and quasi-public entities, by conducting and participating in community/public meetings to explain and answer questions about land use requirements, rights, and restric- tions concerning the siting and routing of District facilities. To keep the public informed and maintain good public relations for the District.
- Assists in developing and conducting siting and routing studies as an aid for decisions to be made by coordinating and supplying detailed background, legal, and regulatory information on properties concerned to engineering, environmental planning, and other project staff involved. To ensure that the project staff is fully informed so that resulting recommendations are reliable thus minimizing project delay and redesign.
- Coordinates construction work on major projects, resolves problems, and responds to rate payer concerns and questions by working effectively with District personnel, property owners, contractors, other agencies, and the general public. To maintain good relations and prevent project delays and property damage.
Job Requirements:
- Education: High School Graduation or equivalent.
- Experience: Three to five (3-5) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in negotiating and completing the acquisition of real property and easements for utility use, appraising real property and easements, and working with project teams and the public.
- Knowledge Of: Safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable soft- ware; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards; federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing California real estate, title and escrow practices, eminent domain, governmental utility license/permit requirements, ad valorem taxes and public improvement assessments, and basic CEQA regulations relative to land and easement acquisitions; principles, procedures and practices related to land surveys and mapping, appraisal of land and easements, legal descrip- tions, negotiating techniques, basic electrical system design and construction; methods and techniques for report preparation and writing; techniques and strategies for public speaking; techniques related to customer relations; procedures and practices for overseeing contractors/ consultants work activities;; methods and techniques for record keeping.
- Skill To: Learn the interrelationships between the Districts operations and rele- vant external entities; learn District operations related to standards and methods for constructing facilities; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/ externally; compile and prepare technical, statistical and/or analytical reports and presentations; develop and conduct oral presentations to internal/external audiences; explain complex and/or controversial policies, regulations, procedures and/or activities internally/ externally; express ideas/facts clearly and concisely to individual or groups, taking into account the audience and nature of information; respond to and resolve customer issues, concerns and needs; analyze situations, documents and data for conformance to established policy and procedures; apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; gather data from appropriate sources and identify relevant factors; interpret, analyze and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements; interpret, clarify, understand and analyze verbal/written information and ideas; negotiate with external representatives on behalf of the District; research, analyze and provide recommendations to achieve department objectives; effectively negotiate acquisition of land rights, paid and gratis; interpret land use laws, ordinances and regu- lations; appraise real property and easements; analyze appraisal reports and environmental documents; interpret/prepare legal descriptions including metes and bounds, and the various documents, maps, and draw- ings used in real estate transactions; read engineering, architectural and construction plans; analyze problems and develop practical solutions.
- Degree in Real Estate or other related major.
- SR/WA designation from the IRWA
- Corporate real estate, public agency and utility experience.
- Knowledge of project management principles
Job Details:
Company: Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Vacancy Type: Full Time
Job Location: Florin, CA, US
Application Deadline: N/A
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