Job Summary  

The Lands/Realty Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting land and land right acquisition, as well as land management activities for various projects for a federal energy client. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of land acquisition methods, federal regulations, and real estate principles. They will work closely with the client and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:  No  

Job Classification: Permanent; Full-Time  

Duty Station:  Phoenix, AZ 

Compensation: 

Chloeta reserves the right to offer any candidate above or below the listed compensation amount based on experience or business needs. 

• $31- $43/hour 
• FLSA Non-Exempt  

Duties/Responsibilities  

• Researches existing WAPA and underlying land rights, easements, and land ownership within project footprint.  
• Prepares landowner lists and maps needed to prepare and set up mail merge for various notification letters and right of entry.  
• Researches Federal, County, State, and local records online or if required in person at the appropriate municipal building to obtain title, landowner, or land right information.  
• Assists in the request and review of all Title evidence and/or Title Commitments and resolving title issues in connection with the project. 
• Prepares contracts, applications for Federal rights-of-way, and other real property documents (licenses, permits and leases).
• Prepares the Construction, Operation and Maintenance (CO&M) plan for facilities across lands administered by other Federal Agencies. 
• Prepares and presents right-of entry requests to landowners. 
• Presents contract offers for the acquisition of land and land rights and make recommendations to WAPA management to resolve conflicts. 
• Assists in the utilization and preparation of real property surveys and appraisals. 
• Assists in investigating and documenting encroachments including dangerous tree issues. 
• Assists in investigating and documenting damage claims. 
• Assists in maintaining official land records, plat books, transfer documents, and maintenance of realty records including landowner contacts, provide realty clerical support. 
• Assists with scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and preparing notes of meetings with WAPA staff and other stakeholders or landowners. 
• Estimates labor hours required to execute lands activities recommending adjustments to support the project. 
• Researches, analyzes, and assesses land acquisition challenges or issues and recommends solutions to Federal project coordinator.  
• Advises WAPA management regarding lands activities. 
• Advises on land management and land acquisition consistent with WAPA legal authorities, policies, and strategies.
• This description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the individual. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.   

Required Skills/Abilities  

• Knowledge of WAPA’s land management and land acquisition policies, consistent with WAPA’s construction and maintenance policies, strategies, and legal authorities. 
• Extensive knowledge in land acquisition methods, procedures, and policies of the Federal Government, including the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. 
• Proficiency in real estate terminology, principles, procedures, concepts, practices and of various types of land and land rights conveyance documents, instruments, terms, and related matters sufficient to handle a full range of realty transactions, specifically including permits, easements, and fee interests on linear facilities. 
• Experience in federal laws, rules, and regulations especially pertaining to the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service. 
• Experience performing broad based project management.
• Strong project management skills with experience in overseeing complex projects from inception to completion.
• Be experienced using a computer and the following software:
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Power Point
  • Microsoft Excel
• Geographic information system
• Various Federal, State, County and local Land and Lands
• Right Data systems  
• Possess a valid state-issued driver’s license for the purpose of driving a government vehicle in the performance of attending site visits and meetings. 

Education and Experience  

• Required: 5 years’ experience in land acquisition methods, procedures, and policies of the Federal Government or a utility agency, including knowledge of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 
• Required: High School Diploma 
• Preferred: Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Real Estate, Land Management, or Public Administration 
• Preferred: Any of the following certifications- Certified Right of Way Professional (CRWP), Accredited Land Consultant (ALC), Professional Land Surveyor (PLS), Certified Real Property Administrator (CRPA), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certification 

Physical Requirements  

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, etc. 

Benefits  

Eligible employees receive the following benefits:  

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance  
• Health Savings Account (HSA)  
• MDLIVE 
• Paid Annual Leave/PTO 
• Paid Sick Leave  
• Paid Holidays  
• 401(k)  
• Voluntary Life Insurance  
• Accident Insurance  
• Short Term Disability 
• Long Term Disability 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  

Pre-employment Requirements  

Due to the nature of Chloeta’s services, this position is contingent upon completing with a satisfactory outcome some or all of the following pre-employment background screenings:  government security clearance, federal and state criminal background checks, drug test (urinalysis), Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review, educational history, employment history, and/or credit check.  In accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), pre-employment background screenings will require the employee’s written authorization and will occur after acceptance of an offer of employment and prior to commencing work.  Additionally, employees are required to complete the federal I-9/E-Verify process.