Real Estate & Permitting Manager

Chelan PUD does not sponsor work visas. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Pay

The advertised hiring range is $129,760 - $162,200, with a maximum opportunity of up to $194,640 with tenure and strong performance.

Benefits

• Zero-cost employer-funded medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits
• Access to the employee assistance program
• VEBA health reimbursement account
• Washington state retirement PERS participation
• Optional 457 plan participation with an employer-matching 401(a) plan
• Paid leave starting at 21 days per calendar year, increasing to 35 days with tenure
• 12 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid jury duty
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Basic life, AD&D, and optional voluntary life insurance
• Optional flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Educational assistance
• Various rewards and recognition programs
• Position-specific stipends

About the role

Lead the Real Estate & Permitting team responsible for land-rights permitting, real estate services, and stewardship of District lands across hydroelectric, utility, parks, hatchery, and infrastructure projects. This role focuses on guiding local, state, and federal permitting efforts in close partnership with Natural Resources to ensure requirements are thoughtfully considered and integrated early in project planning. This is an in-office position requiring residence within a reasonable daily commuting distance to the Wenatchee Service Center.

Organize, direct, and supervise Real Estate Services Department functions and staff who perform a support role for the various units of the District and the public. This includes the acquisition, management, and disposal of District lands and/or land rights, and coordination of permitting activities for hydroelectric projects, electrical transmission & distribution, parks, networks, relicensing, and water/wastewater systems.

Responsibilities

• Organize, direct, and supervise Real Estate Services Department functions and staff activities to ensure timely, accurate completion of work.
• Conduct recruitment, selection, performance monitoring, and appraisal of staff; provide training and counseling to promote employee career development and workforce diversity.
• Encourage and approve training opportunities that add value to individuals and the District.
• Organize, prioritize, and direct courses of action for self and others; responsible for overall success of department functions.
• Oversee, manage, and direct the District's land-rights permitting activities for hydroelectric projects, utility services, parks, hatcheries, and properties, including Franchise Agreements, ROW Permits, Special Use Permits, Conditional Use Permits (CUP), building permits, and other local, state, and federal permits.
• Oversee permit document management and coordinate with Natural Resources to ensure environmental and cultural permitting requirements are considered.
• Develop cross-departmental teams in collaboration with Natural Resources to facilitate a team approach for permitting efforts.
• Oversee and manage over 7,000 acres of District lands, including developing short- and long-term management plans, interim revenue-generating uses, and monitoring for encroachments or illegal uses.
• Provide and implement strategies and creative alternatives to reach outcomes amenable to all parties.
• Manage and direct the drafting of legal documents for review by legal counsel, analyzing potential long-term effects on the District.
• Oversee lands records management.
• Coordinate with internal and external project managers, engineers, and consultants early in projects to ensure clear scope understanding and positive outcomes.
• Identify, market, and negotiate the sale of surplus District lands; evaluate and negotiate property acquisition and disposal values.
• Ensure departmental compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies related to land acquisition, management, or relinquishment.
• Oversee and coordinate in-house and public meetings to inform and receive feedback on potentially controversial issues (e.g., transmission line locations, substation sites, water reservoir sites).
• Assess feedback from meetings and collaborate with District staff to arrive at solutions.
• Develop and monitor policies, procedures, and standards for protecting present and future District land rights.
• Prepare the Land Department's annual budget and manage budget allocations; prepare blanket POs and oversee payment of ongoing permit fees.
• Oversee and direct management of rental accounts, communication sites, leases, irrigation assessments/subleases, fire protection assessments, and permits to minimize costs and maximize asset returns.
• Develop and maintain current knowledge of issues affecting Land Management Department activities by consulting with regulatory agencies, realtors, title companies, and appraisers.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance; comply with District policies, safety procedures, and required training.
• Drive a motorized vehicle as an essential function of the role.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree (B.S., B.A.) in real estate administration or a related field is required. Equivalent experience may substitute for required education.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible real estate management experience.
• 3+ years of experience managing or supervising a professional team, which may have been gained concurrently.
• Public agency experience, utility experience, and/or experience managing permitting activities is preferred.
• Valid Driver's License at hire; WA Driver's License within 30 days of hire.
• Senior Right of Way Designation with the International Right of Way Association is preferred.

Skills

• In-depth knowledge of real estate practices, including appraisal and negotiation.
• In-depth knowledge of environmental permitting processes and requirements.
• General knowledge of land management practices and property/land use regulations within the District's service area.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate people and activities.
• Strong negotiation and persuasion skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization, other utilities, customers, and the public.
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of internal and external customers.
• Ability to anticipate when something is likely to go wrong and propose effective solutions.
• Ability to motivate, develop, and direct staff effectively.
• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.

Physical Demands

• Sitting: Regularly (67-100%)
• Standing: Frequent (34-66%)
• Walking: Occasional (11-33%)
• Lifting 1-10 lbs (Floor-Waist): Seldom (0-10%)
• Lifting 1-10 lbs (Waist-Shoulders): Seldom (0-10%)
• Lifting 1-10 lbs (Above Shoulders): Seldom (0-10%)
• Climb Stairs: Seldom (0-10%)
• Twisting at Waist: Seldom (0-10%)
• Stooping/Bending: Occasional (11-33%)
• Reach Floor to Waist: Seldom (0-10%)
• Reach Waist to Shoulder: Occasional (11-33%)
• Reach Above Shoulder: Seldom (0-10%)
• Wrist/hand/fingers manipulation (keyboarding, mousing, etc.): Frequent (34-66%)
• Repetitive Motions: Frequent (34-66%)
• Talking: Frequent (34-66%)
• Visual - Near Acuity: Regularly (67-100%)
• Visual - Far Acuity: Regularly (67-100%)
• Visual - Depth Perception: Regularly (67-100%)
• Visual - Color Discrimination: Regularly (67-100%)

Working Conditions

Noise Intensity Level: Moderate

District Values

• Trust: Act with integrity, empathy, competence, and transparency to earn confidence and respect.
• Safety: Protect what matters most through the choices we make.
• Stewardship: Responsibly manage and thoughtfully oversee all resources for the benefit of future generations.
• Collaboration: Transform individual expertise into shared power by partnering across teams.
• Courage: Boldly step into the unknown to do what matters, seeking opportunities to grow and lead.