Right-of-Way Agent

About the role

CLS is looking for experienced Right of Way Agents local to Cle Elum, WA. This position is responsible for field-level investigations to obtain all information needed for land values, agencies requiring permits, crop data, and potential areas of concern along the route. This person is an experienced agent, able to perform a variety of duties independently.

Responsibilities

• Contact the owners of interests in land regarding the acquisition of real property rights, amendments of rights, notifications of entry, settlement of claims, and other matters.
• Purchase property by negotiating with property owners, analyzing property appraisals, and making recommendations to the client using real estate practices, legal concepts, governmental standards, and regulations.
• Represent the client in complex negotiations with property owners and attorneys.
• Recommend to the client whether a reasonable compromise is likely and whether further negotiations should be pursued or condemnation litigation initiated.
• Recommend payment increases to the client if the property owner has a legitimate basis for seeking a substantially higher amount.
• Estimate areas of potential damage in advance of construction and accumulate information as to damages occurring during construction.
• Prepare lawsuit packages for condemnation proceedings, assist the client’s attorney, and serve as an expert witness in mediation or trial if negotiations fail.
• Work unsupervised in a variety of roles, potentially specializing in regulatory matters or acquisition.
• May be responsible for Right of Way operations and maintenance.
• Ensure a healthy work environment and the satisfaction of all staff while working effectively and professionally with office staff, the client, and landowners.

Requirements

• 1-4+ years of Right of Way experience.
• Must be local to Cle Elum, WA.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Associate’s degree or two years of college and two plus years of Right of Way experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in interpretation of documents and use of tools required in the Right-of-Way field.
• Extensive acquisition experience.
• Broad knowledge in all phases of Right-of-Way.
• Understanding of environmental issues.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Maintain minimum automobile liability insurance in the amount of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000.

Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely to prepare reports, specifications, and correspondence.
• Proficiency in basic mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) using whole numbers, fractions, percentages, and decimals.
• Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations.
• Intermediate computer skills and familiarity with general PC operation.
• Intermediate software skills with all Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to learn new computer programs rapidly.
• Ability and willingness to move rapidly from place to place and meet timeline constraints.
• Capacity to be flexible, multi-task, and maintain a great attitude.
• Ability to be a team player.

Pay

Salaried position with a day rate component of $350/day (depending on experience).