Right of Way Manager jobs in Colorado

Department Information

Description of Job

About the Unit
The purpose of the Right of Way Unit is to research, appraise, acquire, oversee and survey real estate property, known as Public Transportation Right of Way (ROW) and General Ledger Property, by 1) creating ROW plans, plats and property descriptions, 2) appraising those real estate rights to conclude relevant opinions of value in compliance with applicable statutory requirements and guidelines, 3) researching and developing property title history, 4) negotiating with property owners to acquire property and to relocate occupants, 5) overseeing the property after the acquisition and 6) responding to the needs of all customers, both internal and external.

About the Position
This position manages the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT) Region 3 Right-of-Way Unit including the specialty sections of Acquisition/Relocation, Appraisal and Survey from the Regional Office located in Grand Junction, Colorado.

The Right-of-Way (ROW) Manager determines tactical plans to achieve the objectives established by CDOT Head Quarter's and Region Management. The position is responsible for developing staffing patterns, allocating staff and establishing right of way schedules and budgets for Region 3 projects requiring ROW involvement and managing schedules, budgets, quality assurance and quality control on right of way services provided. The Right of Way Manager serves as region resource for the resolution of complex real estate issues and ROW processes and procedures all in compliance with CDOT's policies and procedures, CDOT's ROW Manual, Colorado state statutes, the Code of Federal Regulations, and the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policy Act of 1970, as amended.

The position provides direction, oversight and guidance to local public agencies and consultants in all aspects of the real estate acquisition processes and procedures in compliance with CDOT and FHWA requirements which includes responsibility for right of way clearances for all projects in the Region, approving Fair Market Value (FMV) and approval of Administrative Settlements up to $150,000 over Fair Market Value within established guidelines.

The Right of Way Manager supervises multiple units of professional level employees by establishing work standards, assigning tasks/projects, developing work plans, preparing and signing employee performance plans and ratings, signing employee payrolls and leave requests, transfers, corrective/disciplinary actions, and terminations.

Major duties and responsibilities:

• Manages CDOT Region 3 Right-of-Way Unit which includes the Surveying, Acquisition and Appraisal units. Activities include plans preparation, relocation, condemnation, property management, local agency oversight and consultant management.
• Determines annual business plans that integrate the CDOT's missions and goals.
• Establishes Right of Way Unit budgets.
• Reviews CDOT Chief Engineer's Right of Way cost estimate in order to determine and recommend budgets for each project.
• Determines and tracks the Right of Way phase budget for each project.
• Collaborates with other units within CDOT to develop and/or recommend changes to Region 3's Right-of-Way program policies and procedures.
• Develops and implements guidelines, processes and/or procedures to implement policies in Region 3.
• Provides policy and procedure guidance to the Region as needed to facilitate project delivery.
• Determines and implements policies, guidelines and programs as new laws become effective.
• Supervises and manages 16 fulltime employees including planning and prioritizing work assignments, unit work plans and individual performance objectives; providing performance evaluations; recommending corrective and/or disciplinary actions; interviewing, selecting and training new employees; certifying time sheets; approving leave; approving expense requests and recommending personnel actions.
• Develops schedules for obtaining right of way clearances, property management activities, Forest Service/BLM Special Use Permits and Highway Easement Deeds, and directs subordinates in accomplishing the associated tasks.
• Reviews subordinates' work output for compliance with CDOT policies, procedures, Federal and State Laws.
• Determines the acquisition/relocation or property management methods, techniques, and guidelines to be used by staff in completing assigned projects.
• Serves as the Regional Right-of-Way Acquisition and Property Management authority; resolves unique and complex right of way issues arising in regional and local governmental entity projects.
• Approves right-of-way settlements and recommends settlements to CDOT's Project Development Branch Office when settlement authority is exceeded.
• Signs Memorandums of Agreement when settlements are reached.
• Testifies in court in condemnation proceedings when settlement cannot be reached.
• Works with Attorney General's office to provide information, advice and settlement authority relative to eminent domain actions and potential resolution of lawsuits.
• Provides explanations and answers for legal acquisition discovery.
• Recommends excess and future right of way for disposal or leasing.
• Presents right of way plans and procedures for transportation projects at public hearings and meetings.
• Defends, argues and justifies right of way plans to the public and other agencies.
• Serves as the Region's leading right of way authority and representative to local entities, consultants and the public.
• Attends project meetings and public hearings, conducts media interviews, meets with individuals and provides written correspondence.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Daytime hours Monday-Friday
• Approximately 10% spent in the field, 90% spent in the office
• 5% travel required during work hours throughout the Region
• Quarterly overnight travel throughout Colorado
• Required to operate CDOT vehicles

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:

• Four (4) years of professional work experience closely related to the Major Job Duties.
• AND six years (6) of professional level experience in real estate abstracting, Right of Way plan development, property management for a public entity, property appraisal, ROW negotiation, land negotiation, relocation services, acquiring property rights from federal agencies or land surveying.
• Experience must have included a least ONE year as a supervisor.(see definition below)
• A strong understanding of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 is critical for success in this position.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree. (a transcript showing all coursework and degree conferral must be included with your application to verify this requirement, unless substituting experience for education.)
• AND six years of professional level experience in real estate abstracting, Right of Way plan development, property management for a public entity, property appraisal, ROW negotiation, land negotiation, relocation services, acquiring property rights from federal agencies or land surveying.
• Experience must have included a least ONE year as a supervisor.(see definition below)
• A strong understanding of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 is critical for success in this position.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree. (a transcript showing all coursework and degree conferral must be included with your application to verify this requirement, unless substituting experience for education.)
• AND four years of professional level experience in real estate abstracting, Right of Way plan development, property management for a public entity, property appraisal, ROW negotiation, land negotiation, relocation services, acquiring property rights from federal agencies or land surveying.
• Experience must have included a least ONE year as a supervisor.(see definition below)
• A strong understanding of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 is critical for success in this position.

• Must pass a pre-employment screening which may include social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records check, educational records, and driving records checks. More information in the supplemental information section.
• A current valid driver license is required for all Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) positions which require operating a state or personal motor vehicle to perform one or more essential functions of the position.

• Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section;
• Highest work/personal ethics and integrity;
• Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position;
• Comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of the real estate acquisition processes and procedures under Colorado eminent domain laws;
• Comprehensive knowledge of land surveying, right of way, real estate appraisal, and property management;
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience performing relocation services according to applicable state and federal regulations;
• Experience reading and interpreting transportation design drawings and right-of-way plans;
• Credibility on technical matters with staff, peers, staff of other organization units, internal and external customers, and local stakeholder groups;
• Experience managing budget to ensure cost effectiveness of projects or programs;
• Experience as a second level supervisor;
• Extensive working knowledge of the Uniform Relocation and Acquisition Policies Act of 1970;
• Experience understanding, interpreting and following CDOT and FHWA requirements, regulations, and policies related to the ROW program;
• Leadership and vision across multidisciplinary groups;
• Consistent recognition for an exceptional level of performance;
• Coaching, mentoring, engaging, and supervising professional and support staff in order to accomplish organizational goals;
• Effectively implementing human resource management including recruitment, selection, training, performance appraisal, recognition and corrective/disciplinary actions and ensuring employees are treated fairly;
• Consultant/contract management experience;
• Adapting leadership styles to various situations; modeling high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness, and respect for individuals by applying these values daily;
• Experience managing multiple, simultaneous projects including staffing and resources;
• Excellent time and project management skills, including organizational skills, prioritizations skills.
• Proven ability to deal with difficult customers and situations;
• Excellent reasoning, investigative, analytical, and problem solving ability;
• Identifying and analyzing critical, complex, or sensitive problems; developing new insights into situations and applying innovative solutions to make organizational improvements;
• Facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, both written and oral;
• Ability to partner with professionals, consultants and staff, with sensitivity to their needs and priorities;
• Negotiating to find mutually acceptable solutions; bringing opposing groups or individuals together in order to reconcile differences and accomplish the organizations' goals;
• Ability to work in politically sensitive situations;
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and be adaptable to changing assignments;
• Effective interpersonal skills and relationship building skills;
• Passion for safety;
• Working effectively in both independent and team situations;
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Project, Gmail, SAP, ProjectWise, Adobe and the ability to quickly learn other software.

Supplemental Information

Applicant Checklist: Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Immediately after you submit your application you should receive an email that confirms that you successfully submitted an application for this position. If you do not, try submitting again until you receive the confirmation email. Be sure to also check your junk folder for email communications from the State of Colorado's website.

Complete Applications must include the following documents:
1) A complete CDOT Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the link in this announcement)
2) A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (must submit online as part of your application)
3) Unless applying under Substitutions, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing all coursework, degree(s) conferred, your name, the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation. Please attach to your online application or you may fax or email it to the contact listed below. Due by application deadline
4) A chronological resume. Please attach to your online application.
5) A Cover Letter: The education, experience, abilities, and accomplishments listed in this announcement have been identified as critical to successful performance in this position. Your cover letter should address your interest in and qualifications for this job with CDOT. Please be specific and detailed in describing experience, abilities, and accomplishments as they relate to this position's requirements and major duties as described in the announcement. Please attach to your online application

Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Every effort must be made to submit all application materials by the announcement close date. Where unusual circumstances prevent timely acquisition of transcripts, they must be submitted within five business days of the announcement close date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application being rejected.

• All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.
• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

• Part, or all, of the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.
• Be sure your application materials specifically address your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the Major Duties, Minimum Qualifications, and Preferred Qualifications sections as listed above. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the deadline for application may result in your application not being accepted for this position and may affect your inclusion as a qualified candidate in any step of the selection process and placement on the eligible list.

• A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.