Right-of-Way Acquisition Specialist

Position Description: Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve. Hiring Range: $31.15 - $48.27 Hourly Work Day/Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. /Monday - Friday The General Services Department's innovative, highly qualified, service-oriented individuals support the City we love. Building and maintaining city facilities and public spaces is what we do. Promoting our enviable quality of life and serving as a foundation of a healthy economy is why we do it. If you're interested in applying your unique skills to meaningful work while growing in your career, our team is for you! The General Services Department's Real Estate Division is seeking an experienced right-of-way acquisition specialist for a six-month assignment to support real estate acquisition activities for the City's capital improvement projects. This position acquires property rights needed for City projects and works closely with project managers, engineers, attorneys, consultants, and property owners throughout the acquisition process. The position requires someone who can work independently and manage multiple acquisition projects. The assignment may be extended based on business needs.

Duties/Responsibilities: Acquires easements, fee simple interests, and other property rights in accordance with established policies and procedures; negotiates with property owners and other interested parties. Prepares option agreements, acquisition documents, reports, records, and correspondence; maintains databases and project tracking systems; ensures accuracy and compliance with applicable policies and procedures. Coordinates with project managers, engineers, surveyors, appraisers, attorneys, consultants, property owners, residents, businesses, and external agencies; responds to requests, inquiries, and complaints; prepares acquisition files for referral to the City Attorney's Office when condemnation is necessary. Reviews project plans, plats, surveys, legal descriptions, and related engineering documents to understand proposed acquisitions and identify potential issues affecting property rights. Coordinates approvals through City Council, as required. Utilizes Microsoft Office, GIS, Register of Deeds records, Tax Assessor records, CityWorks, and other public resources to research property information and maintain accurate project records.

WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Walking and standing are required only occasionally.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in an indoor, office and/or outdoor environment. May be expected to travel to external organizations and locations.

Benefits: Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary) State retirement plan