PRINCIPAL REAL ESTATE OFFICER (REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT) bei Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro)

About the Department

Performs highly complex real estate work in Appraisal, Acquisition/Relocation, or Asset Management.

Relocation: Performs highly complex real estate acquisition and relocation functions; acquires real property required for active projects either through negotiations or eminent domain; provides oversight and coordination for internal management of special projects, including environmental investigations; provides oversight and management of outside acquisition and relocation consultants, including procurement, contract management, and file management.

This position provides leadership and management of complex real estate functions within property management, offering expert guidance and oversight on high-profile projects and property matters. Responsibilities include licensing utility crossings (gas, electric, water, and fiber optics); drafting and interpreting utility licenses, reviewing legal real estate documents, ensuring compliance with required legal notices, and managing leasing activities related to La Metro properties. The role also encompasses oversight of property maintenance needs and capital improvements, ensuring facilities and assets are properly maintained to meet operational, safety standards.

Position Duties

• Performs a broad range of complex, cross-sectional real estate and right-of-way functions

• Plans and manages real estate projects

• Reviews title reports, appraisals, and similar support documents and reports

• Assists management in preparing real estate revenue goals and budget reports estimating real estate related costs

• Inspects real estate both in person and using computer programs to document conditions

• Evaluates Metro's real estate needs, identifies opportunities to enhance safety and revenues, and recommends policies and procedures to enhance department efficiency and accuracy of management of assets

• Prepares written and oral reports, resolutions, correspondence, and legal documents

• Represents the department in meetings with other departments/divisions, property owners and tenants, and business and community groups to make presentations or respond to inquiries

• Provides oversight and management of outside consultants

• Provides leadership, guidance, and advice to staff on complex real estate issues

• Provides training to support staff on real estate related functions

• Coordinates work activity of both professional and administrative staff when working on special projects

• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out For Appraisal

• Analyzes property requirements to understand the potential impacts to the property

• Prepares appraisal scope of work, reviews real estate appraisals for thoroughness and professional completion, and prepares appraisals as appropriate

• Communicates with management and outside counsel regarding issues that are significant in appraisals prepared for property owners For Acquisition/Relocation

• Negotiates with property owners or their agents for purchase or voluntary transfer of property

• Coordinates with escrow and title companies relative to ownership and conditions of title

• Prepares and presents relocation related notices

• Reviews and processes relocation claims and payments

• Provides oversight on acquisition and relocation delivery milestones

• Solicits consultant(s) for the preparation and review of environmental investigation reports For Asset Management

• Coordinates use of Metro assets (land) with internal departments

• Executes agreements that enable safe, short-term use of or access to Metro land

• Manages assets sensibly to reduce Metro expenses for maintenance and upkeep

  
  May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Engineering, or a related field

Experience

• Five years of relevant experience in real estate services, requiring at least two years specialized experience in area of assignment, such as eminent domain, property appraisal review, etc.; experience in municipal government real estate management preferred

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Senior Right of Way Agent (SRWA) Designation preferred

•  Experience reading and interpreting tax and plat maps, engineering plans, and legal documents/ records related to property rights.

• Experience working in the right-of-way industry, specifically with railroad or other linear corridors

•  Experience managing a real estate portfolio while applying applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations governing real estate practices.

• Experience negotiating, writing, drafting, and recommending execution of agreements such as leases, licenses, and right-of-entry permits.

•  Experience managing capital improvement projects with multi-disciplinary teams.

Other Qualifications

Knowledge of 

• Theories, principles, processes, procedures, and practices of real estate services, including appraisal, property management, and documentation requirements
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing real estate practices, processes, and procedures
• Basic real estate law and eminent domain law
• Theories, principles, and practices of land use planning and regulations
• Applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations governing public acquisition policies
• Financial calculations relating to real estate
• Various areas of Los Angeles County, including cities and neighborhoods
• Computer applications, particularly as related to the analysis and maintenance of property information and records
• Computer software, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and financial calculator

Skill in 

• Conducting real estate research and appraisals
• Understanding and analyzing complex planning concepts
• Interacting professionally with all level of Metro employees and external parties
• Preparing reports and correspondence
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Using real estate specific software
• Reading and interpreting legal documents
• Preparing contract documentation
• Analyzing financial data and basic mathematics
• Supervising, training, and motivating team members

Ability to

• Perform analysis of real estate issues, identify problems, and recommend solutions
• Think and act independently
• Proofread and write scopes of work
• Conduct planning studies and act as a project manager
• Negotiate favorable real estate transactions, prepare appropriate contract documentation, and recommend appropriate strategies
• Exercise judgment and creativity in making decisions, and sensitivity in politically charged areas or projects
• Represent Metro before the public
• Work successfully and accurately under tight time restraints
• Organize and manage many projects concurrently
• Travel to offsite locations
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required