Right Of Way Agent I

This position performs technical and administrative work in the acquisition and recording of easements and real property associated with City utility projects; and performs related work as required.   This position requires responsible and skilled work in performing research, preparation, acquisition and negotiation for easements, utility deeds, agreements and other documents pertaining to public and private properties associated with City utility projects, and to perform related duties as required. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.

The work is considered light in nature and involves walking or standing much of the time and involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a recurring basis, or skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic office or shop machines or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment involves exposure to no known environmental hazards; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. 

• Prepares real estate documents, including easements, agreements, utility deeds, encroachment permits, etc., associated with the appraisal, acquisition and/or disposal of public and private properties; negotiates for acquisition of agreements necessary to complete projects;
• Performs basic property research for ownership and boundary information as required;
• Communicates with property owners and their representatives for the acquisition of easements and sites, rights-of-entry, permission to survey and other legal documents;
• Conducts field inspections of properties for assigned projects as necessary;
• Under supervision of management, reviews engineering drawings and coordinates necessary changes with engineering and other staff and prepares maps and exhibits to integrate project information for end-users; 
• Maintains quality control in the preparation of real estate documents for completeness and accuracy;
• Processes documents for recording utilizing standard procedures;
• Provides basic information, research and completes assignments for other City divisions, departments, and other areas as requested; 
• Receives and transmits customer complaints and issues to the appropriate area for solutions; 
• Performs general administrative / clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing legal documents, reports and correspondence, attending meetings, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents for file management, verbal and written communications with customers; customer service and related functions; 
• Attends meetings, training, conferences, seminars, etc., as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills; 
• Maintains assigned vehicles and equipment; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Associate’s degree in business, public administration, real estate, engineering, paralegal studies, business communications and/or drafting or closely related field;
• Three (3) years of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.

• Knowledge of basic algebra involving variables and formulas and/or basic geometry involving plane and solid figures, circumferences, areas and volumes, and/or computing discounts and interest rates;
• Ability to learn and master technical, real estate and legal principles, terms, logic and procedures;
• Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information;

• Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner;
• Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving;
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form;
• Ability to perform specialized technical or entry-level professional work requiring general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to problems not previously encountered; application of specialized technical or professional principles and practices or the use of a wide range of administrative methods in the solution of problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure; and
• Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.