Right of Way Agent

Summary

The Right of Way Agent will be responsible for reviewing all plats and site plans submitted to the City of Lubbock and acquiring all needed easements and permits. The Right of Way Agent will also assist in any acquisitions of real property needed by the City of Lubbock.

Essential Functions

• Participate in negotiations with property owners, corporations, mortgage holders, or their legal representatives to obtain easements required by the City of Lubbock.
• Review and keep abreast of all applicable City codes and ordinances.
• Meet with developers, citizens, City personnel, and outside utility companies to handle street/alley easement closures.
• Meet with developers, citizens, City personnel, and outside utility companies to handle street/alley use licenses.
• Work with developers, citizens, City Personnel to handle parking lot and cash farm leases.
• Work with other departments regarding their needs in property and easement acquisition.
• Work with City Manager and Department Directors to handle the sale of City owned property.
• Communicate with citizens to handle right-of-way encroachments.
• Must develop a working knowledge of all federal, state and local regulations and rules governing attachments to City owned structures.
• Review 3rd party development plans and relevant Right of way records (i.e. easements, permits, etc.) to determine any conflicts.
• Review all submitted plats/ site plans, and coordinate with City staff to ensure all required easements are requested.
• Confer with other governing bodies, city officials, and department heads regarding their needs in property acquisition.
• Present easements to the City Council when scheduled
• Work with title companies and legal counsel to solve right of way questions for citizens and City departments.
• Coordinate with appraisers in the appraisals of City-owned property. Also, in appraising buildings and properties that the City is interested in purchasing, review appraisals for Community Development projects.
• Assist in recordkeeping system for City owned property.
• Assist and offer technical advice on eminent domain proceedings.
• Assist in budget preparation; prepare reports as required.
• Perform related duties as required.

Qualifications

Completion of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, finance, real estate or related field, with an additional four years of technical engineering, ROW/ Easement acquisition, Surveying, Permitting or electric utility construction experience; or any combination of relevant education and experience which provides the following knowledge and abilities:

Texas Driver’s License Required
Physical Exam Required
Texas Real Estate Commission - Easement or Right of Way Agent Certificate (or ability to obtain within 1 year of hiring)

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Good understanding of applicable laws, rules, regulations, right of way policies, procedures, terminology, and right of way/real property acquisition policies and procedures.
• Thorough understanding of various land-related contracts and agreements for construction, operation, and maintenance of existing and new facilities, including but not limited to, rights-of-way, leases, temporary workspace agreements, licenses, permits, ordinances, and franchise agreements.
• Understand and evaluate real estate ownership types such as City-owned ROW, Department of Transportation or State ROW, Private ROW of Utility Owned Easements, Non-exclusive Easements, Public Utility Easements, and Parcels to recommend viable locations.
• Working knowledge of acquisition & relocation documents, notices, processes, and procedures.
• Factors involved in appraising property.

• Effectively use established company policies, procedures, processes to perform work.
• Ability to plan and organize workload, adjust to changing priorities, and work well under pressure with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills to build relationships with others.
• Exercises good judgment and has experience handling confidential information.
• Understand maps, deeds and conveyances, and construction plans.
• Operate computer and related software.
• Review appropriate agreements for accuracy and completeness
• Communicate, organize, and manage time effectively.
• Manages difficult or emotional situations with landowners.
• Negotiate with others; maintain records and prepare reports.
• Coordinate acquisition functions with City departments.
• Collaborate with Legal, Engineering, Finance, and Risk Management to execute/manage agreements.
• Determine the City’s rights pursuant to existing easements and other instruments, notifying appropriate departments, and acts as liaison between landowners/and or tenants to ensure cooperation and uninterrupted operations.

• Frequently stand and walk during shift.
• Occasionally climb stairs, ladders and inclined surfaces.
• Frequently bend and kneel during shift.
• Frequently lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently push and pull objects.
• Frequently flex upper trunk forward at the waist and partially at the knees.
• Frequently rotate upper trunk to the right or left while sitting or standing.
• Place arms above, at or below shoulder height.
• Coordinate eye, hand and foot movement to operate a vehicle.