What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Real Estate Agent position at Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority?
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have at least five years of right-of-way acquisition experience as an employee or consultant to a public agency. The candidate will have acquired right-of-way for a variety of capital projects and will be familiar with the processes and nuances under federal/state/local agency rules. Experience with Caltrans is preferred. Remote flexibility available.
About VTA
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused, innovative, and environmentally responsible transportation options promoting the region's vitality. VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services and participates as a funding partner in regional rail services, including Caltrain, Capital Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.
To learn more, go to: vta.org
VTA's Office of Real Estate & Transit-Oriented Development leads the agency's work in property acquisition for transportation projects, with over $400 million in property acquisition currently in progress for VTA's BART Silicon Valley Extension Phase II, Eastridge to BART Regional Connector light rail, and a range of transportation projects funded by 2016 County Measure B. The Office also creates new mixed-use and mixed-income Transit-Oriented Developments (TOD) on VTA sites and manages VTA assets including advertising & sponsorships for transit stations and vehicles, paid parking at Silicon Valley BART stations, and over 80 leases and use agreements for VTA property – generating significant revenue for the agency. VTA’s full portfolio of sites for TOD comprises more than 200 acres in Santa Clara County, adjacent to 20 VTA transit stations across San José, Campbell, Gilroy, Morgan Hill and other local jurisdictions. Through public-private partnerships to date, nearly 450 mixed-income and affordable housing units have been constructed, and 1,600 more are in preconstruction or predevelopment. Additionally, the Office manages VTA’s Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Program developing larger, equitable and sustainable environments around stations beyond VTA-owned sites and in collaboration with local agencies and community.
Our Community
Santa Clara County, sometimes referred to as “Silicon Valley”, is unique for its innovation, natural attractions, and social diversity. With numerous amenities and perfect weather, it has long been considered one of the best places in the United States to live and work. calendar of festivals and celebrations supports the community spirit. Nearby open space provides easy access to mountain parks, trails, lakes, streams, and beautiful coastal beaches. San José has received accolades for its vibrant neighborhoods, healthy lifestyle, and diverse attractions from national media, including Business Week and Money magazines.
The county’s population of 1.9 million is the largest in Northern California and is rich in ethnic culture and diversity. Enjoy access and the option to explore our closely neighboring counties of San Francisco and Alameda.
Under direction, the Senior Real Estate Agent plans, organizes, supervises, and integrates the work of assigned staff and consultants engaged in acquiring, appraising, managing, leasing or disposing of real property and rights-of-way and/or planning, offering, negotiating, and managing VTA's joint development projects and associated agreements, and performs related duties as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Senior Real Estate Agent is the first line supervisory classification in the Real Estate job series. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising staff engaged in all aspects of VTA real estate transactions and agreements, and for performing the more difficult and complex duties. Senior Real Estate Agent is distinguished from Manager, Real Estate & Project Administration in that the latter has full managerial responsibility for the entire real property program for VTA.
Remote flexibility availableClassification Bargaining Unit: AFSCME
Please be aware that this position will close promptly on 3/14/2025, at 11:59pm. Thereafter, applications will be reviewed in groups of 25. This process will continue in successive increments of 25 until a qualified candidate is selected and the position is filled
Typical Tasks
Not all positions perform all duties and not all duties performed are listed. Duties performed vary depending on the area of assignment.
- Selects, supervises, trains, motivates, assigns, evaluates, counsels, and disciplines staff;
- With assigned staff and consultants, develops, implements, and monitors plans, goals and objectives to ensure that designated property appraisal, acquisition, management, sales, relocation projects, and joint development functions are accomplished in accordance with adopted schedules and budgets;
- Supervises and performs work related to major joint development planning projects that encompass residential, commercial, and other types of real estate development;
- Conducts and/or participates in complex planning and rezoning approvals, competitive offerings for long-term leases, difficult appraisals, negotiations, relocation assistance, and property sale or disposition functions;
- Performs detailed, complex research, analyses, and determinations;
- Develops work plans, schedules, and budget estimates for joint development studies and projects and oversees their execution;
- Prepares and presents information to the public, boards, committees, and community groups;
- Reviews, evaluates, and approves architectural, planning, engineering, environmental, financial, and real estate appraisal work product produced by consultants;
- Provides attorneys with market appraisals and other data for use in property settlements and condemnation litigation;
- Plans, directs, negotiates, administers and/or participates in the development, negotiation and administration of consultant contracts;
- Reviews, recommends, and administers Real Estate Department policies and procedures;
- May perform budget preparation and review;
- Reviews, evaluates, and approves appraisals and amounts for negotiation and settlement in accordance with VTA policies and procedures;
- Ensures compliance with VTA policies and procedures regarding equal opportunity and discrimination and harassment prevention;
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Sufficient training, education, and experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge and abilities.
Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, finance, real estate, or a related field; and five years of increasingly responsible experience in the appraisal, acquisition, relocation, design, financing, construction, and/or management of real property, with at least two years in a project lead or supervisory capacity.
Experience in acquisition of property for public use or experience with public-private development on public property is desirable.
Interested applicants may only meet some of the requirements. We encourage applications from any person who believes they can thrive and grow within VTA.
While we’re welcoming to a variety of different candidates, this position could be an excellent role for a number of different profiles, including those who:
Want to be team players with strong interpersonal skills, working within the community and VTA to help elevate and integrate equitable transit initiatives throughout our work
Are passionate, adaptable, and innovative team players who want to learn and contribute to the development of a visionary transit network through an equity lens
Are interested in collaborative and impactful, transformative change; working with supportive diverse teams to help grow our service and lead our region.
Knowledge of:
- Concepts, methods and techniques for appraising property and establishing market value, current market conditions, and land sales;
- Principles and practices of planning, development, and management of large-scale mixed-use real estate development projects in complex urban settings;
- Methods and techniques for property recordation and property record search;
- Federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to land and easement acquisition by public agencies, including condemnation and eminent domain proceedings and vacation and relinquishment law;
- Federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to planning, design, construction, financing, and operation of real estate development projects;
- Basic principles and practices of property and contract law, including preparation of detailed legal descriptions;
- Basic terminology, methods, and practices of engineering design, architecture, land use planning, land surveying, mapping, construction processes, real estate finance, and relocation;
- Principles and practices of communication and engagement with diverse stakeholders;
- Principles and practices of effective good faith negotiations;
- Principles and practices of effective supervision, training, employee development, motivation, discipline, and management.
Ability to:
- Analyze technical data and legal requirements, evaluate alternatives, and make sound, timely recommendations within established guidelines;
- Understand, interpret, explain, and apply federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to real estate responsibilities;
- Perform sound property appraisals that require the application of complex valuation considerations;
- Estimate and manage budgets and schedules for planning studies and projects;
- Read and interpret plans, maps, engineering drawings, and sketches;
- Prepare clear, concise, comprehensive, and legally sound documents and reports;
- Exercise sound independent professional judgment within established guidelines;
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
- Negotiate effectively and persuasively on behalf of VTA to meet tight acquisition or project deadlines and legal, regulatory, and budget constraints;
- Use tact, discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and parties;
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, staff, consultants, other governmental agencies and their representatives, property owners, tenants, and others encountered in the course of work.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
Possession of a valid Class C driver's license issued by the State of California.
What’s in it for You?
Work/Life Balance: 40-hour work weeks, and a option of a flexible/hybrid remote schedule.
Health: VTA participates in a CalPERS-sponsored medical plan with VTA contribution to employee and dependent premium health insurance premiums. Employees pay a monthly contribution of any amount in excess of the Kaiser Bay Area Family rate.
Flex Spending Account: $300 employer-funded Health FSA for eligible employees
Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
Leave: 17 days of vacation (accrued), 80 Hours of sick time (accrued), 12 paid holidays per year, and 1 floating holiday per year.
Retirement:
- Participation in CalPERS
Classic Members: 2%@55
PEPRA Members: 2%@62
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (voluntary)
457 pre-tax
457 Roth
Self-directed brokerage account option for qualifying employees
- Retiree medical coverage for eligible employees with VTA contributions to the retiree’s medical premium
Additional perks:
- All active full-time employees and their eligible dependents are eligible for transit passes for use over VTA lines, including VTA Paratransit services.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to each employee, eligible dependent, and household member, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Professional Development Fund
- Wellness Programs
As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.
For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward
General Instructions
Please read this entire job announcement before applying for the position. Print and keep a copy of this announcement so that you can refer to it. Questions not answered within this job announcement may be sent to personnel@vta.org.
To ensure consideration, completed applications must be submitted online to the Human Resources department by the stated closing time and date posted. When the stated closing date is “continuous,” apply immediately; the position may close without notice. You will receive an immediate email confirming receipt of your submitted application. If you do not receive this email, contact NEOGOV's Applicant Assistance Line at (855) 524-5627 between 8:00AM to 5:00PM (PST) Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Only on-line applications will be accepted for this recruitment (paper applications or resumes will not be accepted). Job Interest Notification Cards, or copies of previous, partial, or un-submitted applications, are not an acceptable substitute to a completed application.
ALL APPLICATION AND TESTING NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE SENT BY E-MAIL. Applicants should select e-mail as the preferred method of notification. Candidates must maintain an up-to-date, valid and reliable e-mail address. Candidates are also responsible for maintaining up-to-date phone numbers and addresses on their on-line account. Due to the number of applications received, candidates must check their application status through their on-line account. Contact NeoGov for assistance if needed.
Information on how to apply for jobs at the VTA is available on the VTA Employment website and from the NEOGOV's Applicant Assistance Line (855) 524-5627. NeoGov Applicant support is available from 8:00AM to 5:00PM (PST) Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If you wish to request an accommodation, call the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email at Personnel@vta.org.
Application Processing Information
All related current and past work experience (including VTA experience) must be listed and fully described in the Work Experience section of the application ("See Resume" is not acceptable). Incomplete or improperly completed online applications may be rejected even if you are qualified for the position for which you are applying. It is your responsibility to ensure that the online application reflects the work experience and education needed to meet the requirements for the position you are applying for. Although your resume may have all your experience and education details, please make sure to complete each section of the online application to ensure that your information is accurately captured during our screening process.
All applications are subject to review as to meeting minimum qualifications at any point in the recruitment process. Passing any step is no guarantee of continuation if it is determined that the applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications as stated in the class specification.
Candidates found to have exaggerated/falsified their qualifications, experience, training, and/or education may be disqualified at any point in the recruitment process and may be denied future employment with the VTA.
If selected for the position, candidates will be required to complete a criminal conviction disclosure form. Candidates who successfully become VTA employees, and fail to disclose any of the criminal background information as required may be subject to discipline up to and including discharge.
Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment. If you have questions related to an Eligible List you might be on or were on, you should contact Human Resources.
If you have questions regarding your status as an applicant for this position, please call the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email at Personnel@vta.org.
VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities or religious needs, absent undue hardship.
VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.
Salary : $151,715 - $184,436
