Department:

Planning and Development Services

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Sarasota County has a career opportunity for a Right-of-Way Acquisition Agent or a Senior Right-of-Way Acquisition Agent. In this role you will be responsible for providing real property acquisition and disposition services throughout the right-of-way or infrastructure project lifecycle, for County Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and Non-CIP Infrastructure Projects including but not limited to those for road extensions, road widening, water, sewer, drainage, sidewalk, lighting, conservation, and recreation purposes. The ideal candidate must possess knowledge and understanding of real estate principles, terminology, acquisition processes and legal rights, written and verbal communication skills, proficiency with business writing, computer applications, be proactive, take initiative, and demonstrate personal responsibility, decisiveness, and flexibility. Creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are required. Right of Way Agents work primarily in an office setting but may also work in the field conducting site visits, attending meetings with stakeholders, public meetings and/or hearings. Join this dynamic team today and help to keep Sarasota County the premier community where people choose to live, work, and play!Right-of-Way Acquisition Agent or Senior Right-of-Way Acquisition Agent Job Duties:

• Investigate, negotiate, and acquire necessary real property rights in compliance with requirements, using established and/or approved forms, through purchase, donation, and/or eminent domain/condemnation from private and public landowners; create, review, and process executed documents; and coordinate legal aspects of acquisitions.

• Prepare and draft a variety of real estate documents and correspondence for the acquisition and disposition of real property rights. This includes but is not limited to, drafting settlement agreements, deeds, easements, license agreements and other contractual documents and terms for real property transactions.

• Perform due diligence/research and analyze project data including but not limited to title reports, appraisals, design plans, plats, maps, sketches, field data, and relevant right-of-way records to identify key information, determine concerns, determine, and verify ownership and boundary information, ensure accuracy and completeness of land rights, review restrictions, and identify and bring forward issues and/or deficiencies requiring remedial action. Must understand the pertinence of all associated data and its effect on acquisition and disposition assignments.

• Create, maintain, track, and update files/records of right-of-way acquisitions; prepare accurate activity reports related to assigned projects; and document all communications and correspondence with landowners and their representatives.

• Communicate up-to-date work status and provide pertinent information for review, coordination with, and/or to obtain approval from superiors, project managers, and pertinent County officials; effectively understand, communicate with, serve as a liaison between, and as a subject matter expert with all pertinent internal and external stakeholders; explain proposed plans, project requirements, terms and conditions, answer questions, ensure all are informed, build positive relationships, address concerns, resolve problems, and facilitate the acquisition process to secure the necessary real estate acquisitions.

• Assist with research and maintaining inventory information on County owned property.

• Prepare for, attend, and present at meetings to the Board of County Commissioners and/or to the public.

• May also be responsible for researching available property for possible County acquisition; analyzing options and presenting recommendations to management.

• Plan, develop and implement policies and procedures for acquisition, management, and disposition of County owned real estate.

Minimum Qualifications:

Job level is commensurate with experience and skill sets; the position will be filled depending on qualifications, experience, and skillsets of the successful candidate.

Right-of-Way Acquisition Agent (work under the direction and supervision of a Senior Right-of-Way Agent and/or Supervisor):

• Associate’s degree with major course work in real estate, appraisal, title law and/or other related field.

• 3 years of related professional experience in land acquisition with a government agency or other right-of-way industry, abstract or title work, real estate paralegal, real estate law, appraisal field and/or other related fields. Progressively responsible experience can substitute on a year for year basis for the required college degree.

• Possession of a valid State of Florida driver’s license.

Senior Right-of-Way Acquisition Agent (advanced work done independently and requiring limited supervision):

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in real estate, appraisal, title law, real estate law, business or public administration, planning, engineering and/or other related field.

• 4 years of related professional experience as described above. Progressively responsible experience can substitute on a year for year basis for the required college degree.

• Possession of a valid State of Florida driver’s license.

Preferred (but not required) Qualifications for Either Position:

• Department of Transportation right-of-way or International Right of Way Association (IRWA) training.

• Classes pertaining to researching chain of title, &/or other comparable training classes.

• Florida Notary

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

*Work schedules may vary due to split shifts, rotations, on-call, emergencies, etc.

E-Work/Hybrid Work: Currently this position is eligible to e-work one day per week after you successfully complete your first six months and is contingent on work requirements and other factors, after which you’ll be eligible for this fantastic benefit.

About Everything Else

Right-of-Way Acquisition Agent:

• Starting Pay Range: $53,000.00 - $56,500.00 based on experience.

Senior Right-of-Way Acquisition Agent:

• Starting Pay Range: $57,000.00 - $65,000.00 based on experience.

  Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents (http://www.scgov.net/home/showpublisheddocument/66596/638617478290291353) . You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! C hoose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!

• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net (https://www.scgov.net/government/human-resources/employee-health-and-benefits) for additional information.

• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations.

• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.