RIGHT OF WAY AGENT III

The salary range for this position is $6,257 - $8,322 monthly.

Thurston County Public Works is recruiting for a Right of Way Agent III to join our dynamic, energetic, and innovative Real Estate Services team. The successful candidate will perform technical work associated with negotiation and acquisition of right of way for road improvement, fish passage, construction, and utility projects. Project methodology is used to complete tasks related to: Acquisition and/or disposal of real or personal property, Appraisal, Property management, Relocation assistance, and Title examination.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist and/or perform property valuations of real property through review of right of way maps, commissioners' records, plat books, engineering reports, title searches, and other records or materials. May include property inspection to determine property damages or improvements. Prepare applicable reports and documents as required.
• Locate property owners and obtain permission for a variety of County activities, such as right of way staking, temporary easements, and construction permits.
• Inform owners of their rights, applicable laws, and regulations. Provide relocation assistance to individuals impacted by proposed projects.
• Assist to and/or negotiate purchase or lease of property. Maintain files of property records, departmental maps, section activities, and correspondence. Prepare required legal instruments necessary to acquire rights of way.
• On occasion, represent Public Works at public meetings and at public hearings before the Hearing Examiner and Board of County Commissioners. Prepare and review exhibits and documents for presentation.
• Assist Real Estate Services Manager in development and implementation of section objectives, plans, policies, and procedures. Assist or lead development of oral and written policies and procedures.
• May assist attorneys in the preparation of court cases.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment – Quiet office setting in Olympia, Washington, primarily sitting at a desk. Field work is required for onsite project meetings with Thurston County staff and public as needed.
• Schedule - Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workload demands may occasionally require work outside the assigned work hours.
• Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings.
Customer Interactions - Daily interactions via phone, in-person, and video with Thurston County staff and the public.

WHO WE ARE:

The Thurston County Public Works Department , located in Olympia, Washington, is a national award-winning agency in delivering quality projects to our community. Our mission is to provide excellent public services in all areas of our business. We actively help our staff develop and grow professionally, we bring together resources across divisions to achieve organizational goals, we are always ready to respond to community needs, and we are an American Public Works Association accredited agency, consistently meeting industry best practices benchmarks.

Our Core Values:

• Accountability – We take responsibility for our actions and the resulting outcomes.
• Customer Service – We provide our customers with the highest level of service and quality.
• Innovation – We strive to continuously improve processes, performance, and results.
• Safety – We demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to safety.
• Teamwork – We work together toward achieving a common recognized end.

Mission - to provide excellent public services in all areas of our business.

Vision – The premier public works organization, accountable and transparent in all services we provide to our community.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values.

HAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays .
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA ) : Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com .

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree with major course work in real estate or related discipline and three (3) years as a Right of Way Agent II or equivalent. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain a Washington State Driver's License within thirty days of employment.
Possession of, or ability to obtain a Washington State Notary Public Commission within thirty days of employment is required for continued employment.

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Senior Right of Way (SR/WA) designation through the International Right of Way Association (IRWA).
• Experience with real estate transactions under eminent domain, Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies of 1970.
• Experience with basic engineering and surveying practices.
Experience with public records, writing legal descriptions, preparing conveyance documents and reviewing/clearing titles for encumbrances.

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Matt Unzelman, County Engineer, at 360 867 2335 or Matt.Unzelman@co.thurston.wa.us.

This position is:

• Represented by a Union
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Eligible for benefits

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of Interest
• Supplemental Questions

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.