Right-of-Way Agent 2

About the Role

As a Right-of-Way Agent 2 with the Office of the County Engineer, you will procure the necessary property for transportation projects across Pierce County. You will interpret engineering plans, appraisals, and legal descriptions to clearly communicate with citizens, vendors, contractors, and Pierce County staff. Applying principles of negotiation, appraisal, and real estate law, you will navigate complex real-world scenarios daily to deliver property rights according to budget, deadline, and regulations. Your work will ensure transportation projects serve all community members effectively.

Pierce County Planning and Public Works (PPW) stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in infrastructure, systems, and policies. With over 800 team members, PPW manages the county’s road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement.

Success in this role requires a desire to learn, problem-solve, and apply real estate knowledge to execute leases, rights of entry, acquisitions, and property dispositions. Strong negotiation, coordination, research, communication, and writing skills are essential, as is the ability to cultivate relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

You will join a team of experienced right-of-way professionals and work on diverse projects, including sidewalk projects near schools, major road widenings, bridge replacements, and new roadway construction. Examples of projects include the Canyon Road Connection, CRP5887, and Rhodes Lake Road improvements.

The department supports professional development through the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) and offers robust online learning and training opportunities throughout your career.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate for purchase or lease of land parcels; file reports with the Prosecuting Attorney for Public Use and Necessity Hearings and condemnation when necessary.
• Appraise real property, serve as a review appraiser, determine property damages, and prepare required reports and documents.
• Prepare Project Funded Estimates, including estimates of property damages and related documentation.
• Effect claims settlements with property owners for land and improvements; inform owners of their rights, applicable laws, and regulations.
• Review right-of-way strip maps, commissioners' records, plat books, engineers' reports, and other records or materials.
• Conduct or acquire title searches.
• Inspect property to be acquired; contact property owners to obtain permissions for activities such as right-of-way staking or temporary construction permits.
• Write legal property descriptions and draw scaled plats for filing deeds.
• Prepare and review exhibits and documents for presentation to elected officials and the public; represent the department’s position at council and public meetings.
• Arrange for the maintenance, protection, sale, and removal of buildings within acquired rights of way; provide relocation assistance to individuals affected by proposed construction.
• Conduct extensive research using all available government and private resources; provide research assistance to the public and other government entities.

Requirements

• One year of related experience and graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in real estate or a related discipline. Additional experience or education may substitute for the recruiting requirement.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid 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.
• Successful completion of a background check as a condition of employment.

A resume and cover letter are required for this position.