ROW & Real Estate Service Manager

Position Summary

The ROW & Real Estate Manager is responsible for the management and oversight of the day-to-day operations, leadership and mentoring of the ROW & Real Estate Services Team. The position oversees and manages all aspects of real estate matters for the company including but not limited to service agreements, acquiring real estate, easements, rights-of-way, managing easement encroachments and abandonments, and developing real estate plans. The position is also responsible for coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, including state and governing agencies, and preparing and reviewing legal documents related to franchise agreements, new and existing developments and real estate matters for the company. The position may provide support to an expert witness at eminent domain or condemnation hearings and trials.

Responsibilities

Primary Position Responsibilities 

• Develops, implements, and oversees processes for the consistent application, acquisition, and documentation of easements, franchise agreements, development service agreements, and encroachments.
• Oversees, evaluates, and makes recommendations regarding all real estate matters, including but not limited to, real estate acquisitions and divestments, property management, land negotiations, rights of way, easements, platting, encroachments, and abandoning easements.
• Recommends, evaluates, and oversees the activities of property management and real estate contractors and consultants to ensure that work is performed in accordance with terms and conditions of contracts and in a cost beneficial manner.
• Negotiates with property owners and developers to acquire real estate, land rights, easements, leases, rights-of-way and service agreements.
• Coordinates with legal counsel in the preparation of documents regarding real estate matters, condemnation cases, service agreements, legal documents, and other legal business matters.
• Manages easement encroachments and abandonments with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develops and conducts presentations before the Board, committees, commissions, City Councils, and various community groups.
• Facilitates real estate planning, including but not limited to, the need to acquire real property, easements, and/or rights of way, with others throughout the organization.
• Applies and interprets real estate practices, property management, contract negotiation and administration laws, regulations, principles, and procedures for the overall benefit of the organization.
• Forecasts, allocates, and monitors the human, physical, and financial resources of the department.
• Complies with established CoServ safety and operating rules, procedures and guidelines including reporting unsafe practices to a supervisor.
• Complies with established CoServ Information Security Handbook, policies, procedures, and guidelines including reporting suspected information security incidents to Tech Support.
• Prioritizes real estate matters in accordance with CoServ priorities.
• Coordinates with state agencies on real estate matters as necessary.
• Serves as liaison between staff and attorneys and assists in the preparation of legal documents.
• Research historical records for real estate matters as necessary.
• Attends CoServ University training as required.
• Performs other duties and activities as directed.

Position Requirements 

• High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalency.
• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Management/Development or related field and five (5) years of experience related to the role or,
• Senior Right of Way Professional (SR/WA) designation and five (5) years of experience related to the role or,
• Paralegal certification and five (5) years of experience related to the role.

Education, Experience, and Certifications Preferred 

• Ten (10) years of experience in real estate appraisal, easement acquisition and determining real estate needs for a utility or related industry.
• Senior Right of Way Professional (SR/WA) designation.
• International Right of Way Association membership OR Licensed Texas Real Estate Agent.
• Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM).
• Proficiency in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and AutoCAD (Computer Aided Design) software.
• Texas Notary Public.

Skills and Abilities Required 

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of real estate law as well as real estate industry practices, procedures, documents; public real estate records; appraisal techniques; and knowledge of regulatory, engineering and environmental rules and regulations.
• Possesses excellent writing and oral communication skills demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills through interface with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manages competing priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced skills within Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals.
• Demonstrates a high level of independent judgment and responsibility

Skills and Abilities Preferred 

• Paralegal skills and advanced knowledge of real estate law and contract structure.
• Knowledge of RUS engineering design and specifications for distribution, transmission, and substations.
• Understands and follows easement exhibits and descriptions, maps, distribution system maps, distribution design books and manuals.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of contract structure and development, real estate law as well as real estate industry practices, procedures, documents, public real estate records, appraisal techniques.

Physical Requirements 

• In-office
  • Operates office equipment such as a computer, telephone, fax machine, copier, etc.
  • Indoor, office environment.
  • Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds.
  • Ability to sit for long periods of time.
  • Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, and reaching.

Other Requirements

• Ability to travel, if necessary, for business and training.