REAL PROPERTY MANAGER

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, oversees, supervises, and coordinates real property activities and operations for the City of Escondido; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies, and the general public; and provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Director of Engineering Services and the Deputy Director Engineering Services.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Assumes responsibility for the services and activities of the City’s real property program including property appraisal, acquisition, relocation, property management, leasing, eminent domain, surplus property sales, and related activities and operations.
• Coordinates the organization, staffing, and operational activities for the real property program.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; recommends and implements resulting policies and procedures.
• Identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; identifies resource needs; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
• Directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned real property program services and activities; assigns work activities and projects; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Prepares and presents staff reports for City Council meetings.  Prepares resolutions and other documents needed to conduct Real Property business matters. 
• Prepares and administers contracts with outside engineers and appraisers; selects and oversees the work of appraisers contracted with to value required acquisitions for City projects.
• Interprets and applies eminent domain and uniform relocation assistance laws in performing value estimates.
• Participates in the development and administration of assigned budget; forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; recommends adjustments as necessary.
• Provides staff assistance to the Director of Engineering Services and the Deputy Director Engineering Services.; conducts a variety of studies and investigations; develops and recommends modifications to real property programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Researches, analyzes, and reports conclusions on a variety of real property issues including appraisal of property rights, lease proposals, land acquisition, and management activity.
• Negotiates for the acquisition of real property; negotiates for property rights and relocation assistance program supplements; recommends relocation assistance program settlements to be accepted and participates in appeals related thereto.
• Prepares legal documents required for purchase and management of City properties.
• Processes all street vacations, quitclaims, and easement documents for all projects.
• Coordinates and processes, through the Director of Engineering Services and the Deputy Director Engineering Services., all underground utility districts.
• Manages City real property including leasing, rental, disposal, and demolition; manages leased inventory of properties.
• Prepares real estate inventory; appraises improvements and surplus land; conducts auctions for sale.
• Coordinates real property program activities with those of other divisions and outside agencies and organizations; acts as the liaison for assessment and maintenance districts; resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; presents all real estate actions before the City Council; recommends City Council approval of completed transactions requesting authorization to condemn.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of real estate.
• Responds to and resolves citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a real property program.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including California real estate law and Federal Uniform Acquisition and Relocation laws and regulations.
• Real estate principles and practices related to the appraisal, acquisition, management, and sale of public real property assets.
• Laws and practices governing the formation and implementation of assessment and maintenance districts for public improvement projects.
• Relocation assistance principles and practices and laws governing condemnation proceedings.
• Eminent domain court cases and their interpretations.
• Laws, practices, and legal instruments involved in real estate transactions and contracting.
• Principles and methods utilized in the management of real property including project management functions and processes.
• Rental and lease agreements and procedures for negotiating and implementing such agreements.
• Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to:

• Oversee and participate in the management of a real estate program.
• Supervise, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of goals, objectives, and procedures for assigned operations, services, and activities.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare and administer program budgets.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Make appraisals of land and improvements including the appraisal of severance and consequential damage.
• Conduct real property negotiations with lessors, lessees and owners.
• Communicate and interact in situations requiring instruction, persuasion, and counseling with people of various educational and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Apply principles of logic to define problems, organize, collect, and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to solve real property and relocation problems.
• Read, understand, and interpret complex documents involved in land transactions including title reports, right-of-way plans, legal and technical documents, and financial statements.
• Read and understand terms and symbols as used in engineering, architectural drawings, and construction plans.
• Interpret an extensive variety of technical material.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, including with property owners, brokers, and attorneys.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, economics, business administration, or a related field.

Experience: Six years of increasingly responsible experience in real property acquisition and relocation assistance including two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility, and a minimum of two years of experience in the acquisition of land and rights-of-way for an agency with the power of eminent domain.

License or Certificate - Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license. Possession of an Appraiser’s license from the State of California is desirable. Possession of a Real Estate license from the State of California is desirable. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Standard office setting with some travel from site to site. Some exposure to dust from paperwork and environment, temperature swings from air conditioning to outdoors. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure. Overtime and attending meetings outside regular work hours may be required. Work is primarily performed indoors in office and in meeting rooms.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment and assigned vehicle. CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils. FREQUENT side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards. OCCASIONAL squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20-35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Revised: September 2010
JP / Department

Date: April 2003
Johnson & Associates