Job Description

Posting number: 17239

Department: Engineering Department

Job classification: Right of Way Agent

Posting type: Open

Categories: Real Estate

Summary

Position Overview:

The Real Property Division manages right-of-way acquisitions for Harris County. The division has openings for Right-of-Way Agents to handle property acquisitions and to assist with relocations. The Right of Way (ROW) Agent coordinates activities to deliver the assigned project phase. The ROW Agent negotiates land acquisitions and acquires private property for public use. Each acquisition may have a different reason. Harris County is heavily involved in construction to improve infrastructure as well as buy-out programs to improve resilience to future flooding. The ROW Agent will act as a liaison between various departments connected to a project and the public, including homeowners, legal representatives, and industry stakeholders.

Job Duties:

• Prioritizes activities and tasks to deliver Harris County projects on time.
• Manages all assignments to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal rules and regulations.
• Collaborates with all sections of the Real Property Division for efficient project delivery.
• Provides project support activities for the Engineering Department.
• Conducts field investigations to review routes and sites to be acquired.
• Determines property ownership through investigation of records, field inspections, or other available means.
• Understands, produces, and maintains correspondence records and agreements along with project files.
• Reviews legal documents, maps, and plans with a basic understanding of content.
• Participates in meetings with stakeholders, the public, and clients as needed.
• Meets engineering and construction schedules by obtaining the necessary right-of-way within the allotted time.
• Updates tasks in the work management system in a timely and accurate manner.
• Works with the County Attorney's Office to prepare legal instruments for property rights and land usage.
• Ensures all project documents are submitted in a timely manner to the Commissioners Court for approval.
• Supports and participates in department initiatives and process improvements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Examples of duties

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma and four (4) years of documented work experience as a ROW agent, utility coordinator, appraiser, relocation agent, or in a related role.

Or,

• Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in real estate or a related field with two (2) years of documented work experience as a ROW agent, utility coordinator, appraiser, relocation agent, or in a related role.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, using proper grammar and spelling.
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, the general public, industry representatives, and other government agencies.
• Must be attentive to detail and have practical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage a project with minimal supervision.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and customer service skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with both internal and external teams, with a flexible approach and the ability to adapt to changing conditions and priorities.
• A valid driver’s license (Texas upon hire), and a good driving record
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access), and the ability to produce reports using databases, spreadsheets, presentations, and other software.
• Requires a high level of confidentiality, judgment, personal responsibility, and dependability.

Emergency Deployment & Continuity of Operations Requirement: In accordance with Harris County’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Policy, this position is subject to emergency response and deployment protocols. The employee may be designated as supporting a Mission Essential Function (MEF) and must:

• Participate in the classification process of departmental staff based on MEF responsibilities.
• Be available for temporary deployment to an alternative work location, role, or telework assignment during emergency events.
• Confirm work assignments with their supervisor prior to reporting to any worksite during such events.
• Remain flexible in assuming alternative duties as directed to support County operations continuity.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Member of professional associations, such as the International Right of Way Association.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, legal documents relating to real estate, and right-of-way transactions.

Supplemental information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.

Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Salary: Commensurate experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:

Most assignments will be performed in an office, meeting, or operations command center environment, but some field work may be required. May be required to work extended work hours during activation of disaster recovery operations for an unspecified length of time (varies based on the extent of the event).

This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting to 25 lbs., frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

FEATURED BENEFITS:

Medical

Vision

Dental insurance

Wellness

Professional development opportunities

Flexible spending accounts

457 deferred compensation plans

Retirement pension (TCDRS)

Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program)

Disability and life insurance

Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications, positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.