Project Manager - Real Property (Term-Limited Employment)

Salary range is $81K to $160K with a midpoint of $112K. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This is a Term-Limited position with an anticipated duration of 5 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE:Under general direction, performs a variety of complex senior level or lead duties in assigned area of responsibility in support of Sound Transit's (ST) real property program including property appraisal, acquisition, relocation, surplus property sales, and related activities and services; manages schedule, budget, and interface with project controls; monitors and supervises assigned consultants hired to carry out tasks and provide advanced technical support, analysis and leadership to staff and consultants regarding real estate on various assigned projects; counsels project managers on alternative ways to achieve real estate objectives; performs complex appraisal evaluation of properties using specialized technical concepts; directs and reviews appraisal valuation support for planned ST projects and real estate project budgets; and resolves conflicts and problems that occur as a result of property acquisitions projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Manages relocation & acquisition functions for projects as required by the Uniform Relocation Act. Provide guidance and oversight for the calculation and dissemination of relocation benefits and information to property owners displaced by Sound Transit projects.
• Leads, coordinates, schedules, assigns, and inspects the daily work activities of consultants and contractors. Provides oversight to consultants in due diligence process including title, survey, and appraisal; reviews benefit calculations conducted; conducts and coordinates weekly meetings with staff and consultants regarding project status to validate scope, schedule and budget; determines issues to be resolved to maintain schedules, including acquisition, relocation, title and/or legal issues; and provides direction to consultants in acquiring real estate and relocation.
• Reviews and approves internal document packages for requesting displaced relocation payments; oversees relocation program functions; and ensures compliance with federal regulations regarding relocation activities; reviews claim packages for signature for property acquisition closings and document packages sent to legal for condemnation.
• Represents the Sound Transit in sensitive briefings related to relocation issues; prepares supporting documentation prior to briefings and prepares detailed summaries documenting interactions with property owners to identify all requests by all parties; summarize commitments approved during each briefing to all stakeholders for record in coordination with agency stakeholders.
• Assembles complete Federal Transit Administration (FTA) package to associated FTA checklist for concurrence and approval as required; upon receipt of concurrence, forwards copy of FTA concurrence letter to acquisition project manager; and updates appropriate project tracking databases with all changes.
• Consults with ST legal on real estate acquisition mediation and relocation court cases; provides real estate valuations services and/or relocation estimates for the development of real estate budgets for existing and planned projects; researches, analyzes, and makes recommendations on a variety of real estate issues as they may impact budget forecasting process to include relocation for comparable replacement properties and comparable rents.
• Develops and maintains policies and procedures related to the overall appraisal program; reviews appraisal process to ensure consistency with federal and state regulations; coordinates with line of business project manager to prioritize parcels; determines appraisal scope, fees and delivery schedule on a property by property basis; communicates with appropriate stakeholders to coordinate assignments, property owner contacts and schedule; conducts field review of properties and discusses any issues with ST environmental, appraisers, and reviewers.
• Tracks appraisal assignments; submits work authorization and property information to appraisers according to established procedures; identifies partial acquisitions that can be cured and forwards to appraiser; requests construction cost estimates to affect the cure including any necessary sign relocations to be included in appraisal; identifies needs and problems, including fixtures, parking, building consultant requirements; updates appropriate project tracking databases with new information; reports issues and changes to the line of business project manager; and coordinates delivery of environmental cost information to appraiser as necessary.
• Provides support to the department on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees as assigned; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Insurance and Real Estate, Finance, or closely related field and four years of experience in real estate including real property acquisition, relocation assistance, and real estate appraisal and review that includes leading staff and projects; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Licenses and Certificates:

• Professional Right of Way Certification from the International Right of Way Association (IRWA)

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a real property program including real estate acquisition, relocation, property management and disposition.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Real estate principles and practices related to the appraisal, acquisition, management, and sale of public real property assets.
• Relocation assistance principles and practices and laws governing condemnation proceedings.
• Laws, practices, and legal instruments involved in real estate transactions and contracting.
• Principles and methods utilized in the management of real property.
• Principles and practices used in contract preparation and administration.
• Negotiation practices and techniques.
• Principles and practices of customer service, confidentiality, and sensitivity when working with the public.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Supervisory/lead principles, methods and techniques.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other division staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Applying principles and techniques of acquiring real property including handling complex negotiations, mediation, and/or managing the condemnation process.
• Applying sensitivity skills when working with the public.
• Reading, understanding, and interpreting complex documents involved in land transactions including title reports, right-of-way plans, legal and technical documents, and financial statements.
• Reading and understanding terms and symbols as used in engineering, architectural drawings, and construction plans.
• Reading, understanding, and interpreting documents involved in real property transactions.
• Working effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Applying project management techniques and principles.
• Preparing clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Applying appropriate oral and written communication techniques to various individuals ranging from Agency employees, the general public, elected officials, community leaders, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Monitoring program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.
• Leading and delegating daily tasks, communicating, and providing feedback and work direction.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid environment with an expectation of working in office a minimum of 3 days per week.
• Employees working in field, shop, warehouse, and/or transit vehicle environment may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.