What are the responsibilities and job description for the Right of Way Agent position at Ramsey County, MN?
Basic Function
The current vacancy is in the Public Works department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County.
To perform diversified technical and management services relating to the acquisition and stewardship of County properties. Coordinate and secure the timely acquisition of property necessary for projects. This is technical work, coordinating acquisition activities with consultants, the Ramsey County Surveyor, Ramsey County Attorney's Office, county staff, and cities within Ramsey County to perform scoping, cost estimates, schedule activities, prepare Minimum Damage Assessments, negotiate and secure purchase agreements and deeds from property owners, provide relocation assistance and property management oversight and perform other miscellaneous tasks and related duties as assigned.Examples of Work Performed
- Participate in project scoping and scheduling with County staff and consultants; prepare acquisition and appraisal scoping information.
- Prepare documents and conduct research using Ramsey County Information Services systems and prepare acquisition cost estimates for technical services, real estate, and property management.
- Participate in public meetings and hearings and meet informally with citizens and staff representatives from other government agencies, contractors and consultants to exchange information and represent the county’s interests.
- Perform consultant selection and purchasing of professional/technical agreements for appraisals, acquisition services, title work, pre-demolition testing, and demolition oversight.
- Assist in land acquisition activities by conducting field reviews, site searches, records researches and compile maps, landowner contact reports, legal documents, photographs, and related site data.
- Coordinate Public Land Survey (PLS) and acquisition plats or descriptions and schedule with County Surveyor.
- Prepare offer letters and other owner/tenant notifications. Consult with property owners and negotiate settlement of damages and claims.
- Coordinate utility disconnects, service removals, and final billing.
- Administer relocation assistance in accordance with federal policies. Interpret and integrate applicable federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations as they relate to property acquisition and management.
- Coordinate the demolition process with attention to asbestos and regulated waste requirements.
- Review and comment on Right-of-Way plans and parcel sketches. In conjunction with qualified surveyors, determine and document property boundaries and conditions by conducting field investigations and collecting data, reviewing legal descriptions of property, reading maps and aerial photographs, and checking legal records.
- Review property tax statements of land purchased by Ramsey County and take appropriate actions to discontinue storm water fees and process conversion to Right-of-Way property tax exempt status. Assist in developing and recommending policies and procedures for managing real properties by integrating county rules and regulations, applicable city ordinances, and state statutes and determine methods for enforcement so that issues can be handled in a consistent manner.
- Inspect acquired property for trash and dumping. Coordinate and direct property clean-up, land stewardship operations and appropriate modifications to property (fencing, signage, etc.) by preparing seasonal work plans, site stewardship plans and/or contracts, scheduling and monitoring crews and/or contractors, inspecting to ensure work is properly done and within budget, and ensuring that safety concerns are addressed.
- Provide technical assistance to the County Attorney’s Office throughout the eminent domain process. Attend and present information at meetings, hearings and trials.
- Coordinate conveyance or sales of property no longer needed. Provide assistance in the formulation of development plans by offering insight based on land stewardship role and interaction with adjacent landowners and community groups prior to development.
- Respond to complaints from city officials and citizens about properties held by Ramsey County. Maintain property boundaries by investigating trespass, encroachment, and other information relating to the use of property under the jurisdiction of Ramsey County and determine appropriate action.
- Assist permits function as requested. Participate in informal resolution of disputes with adjacent property owners, private citizens, businesses or neighborhood groups by assessing the situation, identifying and carrying out the appropriate course of action and consulting higher authority for direction when the situation warrants.
- Participate in reviews of existing or proposed land use ordinances, land management plans, reports, correspondence, or other documents having an impact on county property.
- Maintain records of all transactions including management of property and maintain parcel files.
(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: An associate degree or higher. Preferably, but not limited in either, Project Management, Real Estate, Business Administration, Appraisal, Legal Assistant, Land Acquisition, Civil Engineering, Surveying, other Civil Technology/Services, and/or other relatable fields, or two years of training with course work related to the above
Experience: Four years of experience in either, but not limited to, Project Management, Real Estate, Business Administration, Appraisal, Legal Assistant, Land Acquisitions, Surveying, Sales, Civil Technology, Railroad Right of Way, Civil Services, Civil Engineering and/or other relatable fields.
Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Preferred: Experience with Right of Way Acquisitions, Federal and State laws, Administration of Relocation assistance, Railroad Right of Way, Project Management, Business Administration, and/or Public Sector Engagement.
Other: Must have a valid driver's license. Plus, if an IRWA member.
Exam/Screening Process Information
The examination process will consist of the following sections with each section weighted as indicated:
Training and Experience Rating = 100%
The examination for the Right of Way Agent will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions - do not mark "see resume" or "see work history" as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.
Eligible List: The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Right of Way Agent. The list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for 30 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been posted and their rank on the list.
Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.
Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.
For further information regarding this posting, please contact lindsey.hunter@co.ramsey.mn.us
Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at https://www.ramseycounty.us/employees/employee-open-enrollment-2025-benefits
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
- Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee legally married spouse, Employee Child(ren), Family
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
- MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
- VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered
- Pre-tax Benefit Program
- Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
- Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan
- Paid time off
- Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
- 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
- Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
- Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
- Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay
- Retirement benefits
- Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
- New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
- Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
- Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation
- Transit and parking
- Fully funded Metropass.
- Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account
- Employee well-being
- Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
- Wellness programming
- Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions
- Life Insurance and Disability leave
- County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
- Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee’s lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
- Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period
- Career development
- Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
- Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
- County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues
For information about Ramsey County's 2025 benefits, visit: https://www.ramseycounty.us/employees/employee-open-enrollment-2025-benefits
Salary : $4,000
