Right-of-Way Negotiator

Job Duties

• Review design plans, appraisals, and legal documents prior to making an offer to the owners to acquire property.
• Contact property owners to explain project plans, appraisals, contracts, acquisition processes, and answer questions.
• Display a patient demeanor and a capability to explain the project. Educate the landowner regarding potential impacts to their property.
• Extend purchase offers and counteroffers to property owners. Negotiate reasonable and justifiable counteroffers that can address the owners' concerns; explain condemnation procedures if negotiations do not reach a settlement, and prepare documents required for the eminent domain procedures.
• Prepare call reports documenting all contacts with owners or residents, and settlement reports documenting the basis of settlements.
• Prepare and review files and documents to submit to senior management of the Right-of-Way Division to ensure compliance of actions, decisions, or settlements with laws, rules, and policies; prepare documents used by the State Attorney General's office as the basis for determining appropriate parties in condemnation actions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Education and/or experience in real estate appraisal or valuation, relocation assistance, property management, public relations, public policy, mediation, or public/business administration.
• Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree and/or Real Estate License, Appraisal License, or Abstractor's Certificate. Experience in current highway construction projects and NDOT Agency/ROW Division goals and policies. Experience in appraisal, ROW acquisition, legal real estate instruments, negotiation techniques, and/or basic engineering practices. Interpersonal communication skills and exercise of tact and judgment when dealing with property owners, agency representatives, and the public.
• Other: Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to provide independent authorized transportation. Occasional to frequent overnight travel.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Excellent time management, workload planning, and prioritizing skills.
• Possess strong communication skills to effectively communicate and educate the public, and successfully negotiate settlements with landowners.
• Ability to travel throughout the state with occasional (sometimes frequent) overnight stays.
• Ability to quickly learn right-of-way and negotiation methods, procedures, practices, and regulations in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and policies.
• Ability to write narratives within call reports, accurately describing interactions with landowners and other parties.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.