Senior Right of Way Agent

Position Description

Come and join the City of Fresno in achieving our mission of Building a Better Fresno!

Are you ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role that combines negotiation, real estate expertise, and strategic thinking? The City of Fresno is looking for a Senior Right of Way Agent to lead complex property valuations and negotiate real estate acquisitions for city projects. In this dynamic position, you'll play a key role in shaping city infrastructure while working closely with property owners, city departments, and legal teams. If you have a passion for real estate, a strong understanding of property rights, and a drive to make a meaningful impact in your community, we encourage you to apply today!

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Conduct complex property valuations and negotiations for real property acquisitions.
- Perform waiver valuations and review appraisal reports in compliance with Caltrans guidelines.
- Collaborate with legal teams to prepare necessary documents for property acquisitions and dispositions.
- Facilitate utility relocations and ensure compliance with project requirements.
- Present property acquisition updates in meetings and public forums.
- Oversee and assist with relocation assistance for eligible property owners and tenants.
- Supervise and train staff in property acquisition and disposition procedures.
- Maintain accurate records of City-owned real property and related transactions.
- Ensure adherence to the Uniform Relocation and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act, State Eminent Domain Law, Surplus Land Act, and related appraisal and acquisition guidelines.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.

Duties and schedules may vary by assignment, please inquire about specific duties and/or schedules if called upon for an interview.

Full job specification may be viewed at:
https://www.fresno.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Senior-Right-of-Way-Agent-02_25.pdf

View "We Work For You" video to get an inside look at how rewarding it is to work for the City of Fresno: https://youtu.be/RjOUf52KPrk?si=NmkwtgYbTxdKcKOz

The current vacancy exists in the Capital Projects Department. Immediate and future vacancies will be filled from this eligible list for a period of three (3) months from the date the eligible list is created, with the option of extending that period at the City's discretion. Should the competitive process be suspended for this recruitment, the eligibility list may be limited to three (3) months.

Pay,Benefits, & Work Schedule

UNIT 13 Classification - City of Fresno Professional Employees Association (CFPEA)

HEALTH INSURANCE: The City contributes toward monthly premiums for PPO medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: IRS 125 Plan for health and dependent care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings.
MANAGEMENT LEAVE: 60 hours per fiscal year for exempt employees.
ANNUAL LEAVE: Accrue 15.5 hours per month with cash out provisions.
SUPPLEMENTAL SICK- 40 hours per fiscal year. 80 hours lifetime maximum
HOLIDAYS: Ten (10) City-observed annual holidays plus birthday and two (2) personal days.
LIFE INSURANCE: Benefit equal to annual salary; premium paid by the City.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY: Benefit equal to 66.66% of monthly salary up to $7,500 per month after 30 days of disability; premium paid by the City.
BILINGUAL PREMIUM: PAY: $100 per month
HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT: Eligible retirees can use remaining Sick Leave balance at 80% of hourly rate and other leave balances, if applicable, to reimburse medical insurance and qualified medical expenses, tax free.
RETIREMENT: City of Fresno Retirement Systems, one of the best funded public systems in the state. Reciprocity with other CA public agencies. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. City employees do not participate in Social Security.
DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program): an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years. Participation minimum is age 50 and vested. Benefits includes ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options.

Additional information regarding the City of Fresno benefits is available at
https://www.fresno.gov/personnel/human-resources-support/#tab-1

The Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify for the examination and do not assure placement on the eligible list:

Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Real Estate, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics or related field

AND

Three (3) years of experience in the acquisition of rights of way for governmental or public utility use, which includes one (1) of the following:

1) Experience in the valuation of and negotiation for acquisition or disposition of land improvements and property rights, which includes one (1) year of experience as a lead position. Lead experience may be defined as duties to include assigning, reviewing and coordinating the work of subordinate staff.

2) Experience in coordinating and planning for the relocation of utilities, displaced persons, and businesses.

3) Experience with independent appraisal and negotiation for the acquisition of complex real properties; involving large sums, condemnation damages, restriction of access, and similar complicating factors.

Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

APPLICANTS QUALIFYING WITH EDUCATION, MUST ATTACH A COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS (instructions below on how to attach documents). Applications lacking the attachment may be rejected.

Additional Requirements

The work experience section MUST be completed with detailed duties, dates and weekly hours worked for each title held. Please SPECIFY THE ACQUISITION OF RIGHTS OF WAY FOR GOVERNMENTAL OR PUBLIC UTILITY USE DUTIES with which you have experience on your application. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application and will not be used to evaluate minimum requirements. Applications lacking a completed work experience section may be rejected.

Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required at time of appointment. Candidates considered for hire may be required to provide proof of a valid driver's license and current copy of their driving record.

For positions within the Capital Projects Department: Within one (1) year of appointment, incumbents must obtain and maintain a California Notary Public certification. This certification must be maintained throughout the term of employment in this classification. Failure to obtain the required certification within the specified time period and maintain for the entire term of employment in this classification may be cause for termination.

Possession of a Right of Way Agent (RWA) or Right of Way Professional (RWP) certification from the International Right of Way Agent Association (IRWA) is highly desirable but not required.

The selected eligible candidates certified will be required to successfully pass a department interview and a Department of Justice fingerprint prior to employment with the City of Fresno.

How To Apply

APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE AN ON-LINE APPLICATION. PLEASE VISIT www.fresno.gov/jobs. TO APPLY. For information on how to complete an on-line application, please view "Instruction Guide" on the City's website, Personnel Services Career Opportunities page, or call (559) 621-6950 for assistance. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application.

ALL CORRESPONDENCE regarding this recruitment and exam process will be sent via e-mail. All applicants will acknowledge such understanding when they complete their on-line application. Verify we have your correct e-mail address before you submit your application. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email frequently to ensure they receive all pertinent communication from the Personnel Services Department on a timely basis. Applicants will receive an automatically generated confirmation e-mail upon a successful application submittal. The e-mail is the only proof of submittal.

It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email account and to ensure it is set up to accept emails from the City of Fresno. Dependent upon your settings, notices from the City of Fresno may be directed to the junk mail or spam folders. It is the applicant's responsibility to check these folders.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on the filing deadline, or they will not be accepted for any reason. FOR THIS RECRUITMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PERMANENT FRESNO CITY EMPLOYEES APPLY THROUGH PEOPLESOFT SELF SERVICE.

Selection Process

The examination process may consist of the following:

WRITTEN EXAMINATION: (100%): A job-related written examination may be conducted online to assess a candidate's knowledge which may include, but is not limited to, the following areas: Real Property Valuation, Acquisition, Legal Procedures, and Relocation Assistance; Interpersonal Skills; Recordkeeping & Documentation; Technology & Office Equipment; English Grammar, Spelling, and Proofreading and/or other topics related to a candidate's training, experience and qualifications for the position.

Candidates must achieve a passing score on the written examination to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

The written examination is tentatively scheduled for the week of May 5th, 2025.

Veteran Preference Regulations

Candidates applying for veteran's preference are required to submit a copy of their DD214 with their application during the specified filing period. Evidence must be presented to indicate that the candidate was discharged honorably from the military service. Veterans, including City employees, must resubmit proof of honorable service for every examination for which veteran's preference credit is requested. Qualified veterans who pass the examination will have five (5) points added to their final score.

Additional Information

HOW TO ATTACH DOCUMENTS TO OUR ONLINE APPLICATION:
1. Your document must first be scanned and saved to a computer or thumb drive (save as the "document name.")
2. Then go to www.fresno.gov/jobs > City of Fresno Jobs > Apply On-Line.
3. Enter the same Login Information (Username & Password) that is going to be used for the job you are applying to.
4. Under the section "My Career Tools" (located towards the top of the page), Select "Cover Letters & Attachments", and then "Add Attachments" towards the bottom.
5. For Attachment Type, choose the most appropriate option (i.e. "DIPLOMA/TRANSCRIPTS or DD214.")
*If you do not see an appropriate choice, you may use "Reference Attachments." Under Attachment Purpose, you can TYPE a description.
6. Then Select "Add Attachment" and hit the "Browse" button to locate your attachment.
7. Once you have selected your attachment, select "Open", hit "Upload" and then "Save & Return."
8. After you confirm your attachment has been uploaded, then proceed to fill out your online application.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Fresno is an equal opportunity employer. Should you need a special accommodation due to a qualifying disability, please contact the Personnel Department at (559) 621-6950 in advance of the examination.

Closing Date/Time: 04/07/2025

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• City of Fresno

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