Unclassified - La Plata, MD
posted 2 months ago
The Right of Way Program Manager is responsible for leading, monitoring, performing, and supervising complex real estate work that supports acquisitions for County capital construction and improvement projects. This role involves coordinating site selection and inspection processes, presenting available options to senior and executive management, and ensuring compliance with applicable codes, standards, regulations, and contracts for all projects. The manager will research property records, obtain appraisals, negotiate acquisitions with property owners and their representatives, and prepare, review, and process easement and right-of-way documentation submissions. In this position, the Right of Way Program Manager will plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work performed by Right-of-Way personnel. They will develop and manage major property acquisitions, which includes coordinating the site selection and inspection processes. The manager will determine the nature of property or infrastructure and analyze project, right-of-way, or easement needs through consultations with engineers, project or program managers, and developers. They will conduct meetings with divisional and intra-departmental staff to discuss project status and suggest resolutions when issues arise or delays occur. The Right of Way Program Manager will also be responsible for interviewing, recommending for hire, training, and supervising subordinate staff in accordance with County policies and procedures. They will review and research land and assessment records regarding ownership of property, transfer of property, easements, liens, and other encumbrances. The manager will conduct field reviews of properties, considering factors such as market value, location, and building or replacement costs to determine or verify appraisal value. They will collect and analyze relevant data to identify real estate trends and develop and review estimates of property values, taking into consideration depreciation, replacement costs, and value comparisons of similar properties. Additionally, the manager will direct and conduct negotiations with property owners and their attorneys or representatives to acquire fees and easements for the benefit of the County. They will prepare and review presentations related to property acquisitions for public hearings and provide technical assistance to other departments regarding public information meetings and acquisition requirements. The role requires a strong understanding of real estate laws, regulations, and practices, as well as the ability to effectively communicate and negotiate with various stakeholders.