Real Estate Title Specialist

General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive
DEPARTMENT: Real Estate Office
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $70,518 - $88,148/year
FULL SALARY RANGE: $70,518 - $110,185/year (grade 108)
LOCATION: Western Service Center, Apple Valley
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 pm on Friday, January 3, 2025

What You'll Do
The Real Estate Title Specialist assists real estate staff and attorneys by examining title to real property, ranging in complexity, to determine status and establish chain of title. This position will work closely with the Real Estate Office, County Attorney’s Office, Surveyor’s Office, Property Taxation & Records, and the Examiner of Titles as they establish chain of title, identify interests, and research historical data involving properties needed by Dakota County.

Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is “Be More” and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Law, Legal Assistance or closely related field AND two (2) years of real estate related title work experience.

• Associate's degree in Legal Assistance AND four (4) years of real estate related title work experience.

• A combination of education and progressively responsible work experience to equal six (6) years related to real estate title work.

• Valid driver's license

Duties & Responsibilities

The following examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification:

• Performs title examination and examines the chain of title including abstracts, affidavits, attorney's certificates, certificates of title, covenants and restrictions, deeds, easements, leases, liens, judgments, mortgages, owners and encumbrance reports, plats, subleases, title opinions, and vital statistics.
• Determines ownership and legal restrictions to verify legal description of property and completeness of records, working in conjunction with the county surveyors.
• Identifies, explains, and resolves most issues and clouds on ownership such as missing information, incomplete, inaccurate or contradictory information contained in the title documentation.
• Prepares initial title commitment documentation based on the application of procedural guideline and reviews reports for accuracy.
• Reviews signed packages to ensure compliance with Federal, State and closing instructions.
• Works closely with the County Attorney’s Office for preparation of condemnation petition filing to ensure that any party holding an interest in a parcel is identified and included in the petition.
• Performs necessary administrative tasks, including but not limited to meeting regularly with Real Estate Specialists and Real Estate Manager, developing and implementing annual Individual work and development plans, completing required training; and completing timesheets, expense reports, performance reviews, etc. by required dates and times.
• Performs other acquisition and program-related activities in consultation with or as assigned by the Real Estate Manager, Lead Real Estate Specialist or Assistant County Attorney.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Knowledge of property encumbrances and title work
• Knowledge of real estate-related documents
• Knowledge of real estate closing processes and document recording.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Skills in efficiently organizing time to complete assigned responsibilities.
• Skills in utilizing and applying technology for increased efficiency, including use of Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Skills in accurately completing detailed documents.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible to meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to abide by federal, state and county confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to maintain complex records and prepare detailed documents and reports.
• Ability to employ sound judgment in exercising discretion, including determination at the appropriate points in which to involve management staff in decision-making.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks