Real Property Researcher

About the role

The Bureau of Water Supply seeks to hire a Principal Administrative Associate III for a position with the Upstate Real Property Services (URPS) Section of the Watershed Lands & Community Planning (WLCP) Division within the Source Water Protection Directorate, located in Kingston, New York.

Responsibilities

• Researches, identifies, and corrects errors and omissions on the City’s real property records and databases, using historical maps, documents, municipal records, land records and City databases.
• Researches, identifies, and assembles necessary information to respond to real property inquiries related to the City’s upstate real property holdings from departmental and outside sources. Utilizes archival records, various sources of digital and hard copy surveys, deeds, and other land records. Coordinates with requestor and other BWS staff as needed to resolve inquiries.
• Researches and compiles documentation from City records and archives in response to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests.
• As assigned, conducts research to assist Project and Closing Managers to resolve real property issues using land records, surveys, and DEP archives.
• Maintains real property archives for Pre-MOA and LAP-acquired property as assigned.
• Assists with the coordination of the overall research process, ensuring steps are completed and documents are transmitted to requestors in a timely, clear, and concise manner, and that research findings are well-documented.
• Assists in archiving documents for URPS and other groups within WLCP which includes scanning documents, coordinating storage of documents, and coordinating access to original documents in DEP’s Kingston building and other offsite locations.
• Assists with real estate closings as assigned.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and three years of satisfactory full-time progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience, one year of which must have been in an administrative capacity or supervising staff performing clerical/administrative work of more than moderate difficulty;
• An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory full-time progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience including one year of the administrative supervisory experience described in "1" above;
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and five years of satisfactory full-time progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience including one year of the administrative supervisory experience as described in "1" above;
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" above. However, all candidates must possess the one year of administrative or supervisory experience as described in "1" above. Education above the high school level may be substituted for the general clerical/administrative experience (but not for the one year of administrative or supervisory experience described in "1" above) at a rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for 6 months of experience up to a maximum of 3½ years.

Preferred Skills

• The selected candidate will have the ability to:
• work independently but knows when to engage supervisor for guidance and direction;
• interface with landowners, attorneys, municipal leaders, co-workers, surveyors, contractors, and others to support project work;
• work cooperatively within a team setting;
• juggle multiple priorities;
• work in a complex and challenging corporate environment.

Qualifications

• The selected candidate will possess critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and excellent communication skills.

Benefits

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

Pay

Commensurate with experience.

Schedule

35 per week
Weekdays, Day shift
May be required to work shifts including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Additional Information

• The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
• Job ID: 780612
• Posted until: 2026-07-10
• Title code: 10124
• Civil service title: PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOC
• Title classification: Competitive-1
• Business title: Real Property Researcher
• Job level: 03
• Number of positions: 1
• Work location: 71 Smith Avenue, Kingston, Ny
• New York City residency is not required for this position.
• The City of New York is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify Human Resources at 311-5000. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.