Real Property Manager

Definition

Under the direction of the Public Works Director or their designee, plans, organizes and manages all phases of the City's Real Property Management program. Provides leadership and management oversight to staff and consultants providing real property acquisition and management of the City’s real property assets; performs related duties as required.

Class Characteristics

This management-level classification is responsible for the City’s Real Property section.  The Real Property Manager directs and oversees professional, technical, and administrative staff and consultants engaged in real property acquisition, disposition, leasing, relocation, and asset management activities.  

The incumbent is responsible for developing policies, establishing program goals, administering budgets, and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to real property transactions.  Responsibilities include overseeing the acquisition of property for City purposes, the sale of excess or surplus property, and the management of City-owned properties to ensure proper stewardship and optimization of City benefits through lease provisions, rental income, and strategic use of assets.

When required, the Real Property Manager oversees relocation assistance for displaced property owners and tenants in compliance with applicable regulations.  This classification exercises direct and indirect supervision over all staff and activities within the Real Property section.

• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the work of the section, including work assignments, capital and operating budget development, personnel administration, and project oversight. 
• Oversees and reviews the collection and analysis of information necessary to conduct, create and review independent appraisals to determine market value and costs. 
• Conducts research of real property records and examines engineering plans and plats; and advises City staff regarding property rights or acquisition requirements. 
• Manages real property acquisition projects funded through federal and state programs, including Caltrans Local Assistance process, to ensure compliance and  Right of Way Certification.
• Provides leadership to the section by promoting professional development, ensuring staff receive appropriate training, and maintaining technical expertise necessary to perform assigned functions. 
• Negotiates with property owners, real estate professionals, legal representation, and others having an interest in real estate proposed to be purchased, sold, or leased by the City and to establish terms and conditions of property conveyances. 
• Negotiates complex and highly technical Purchase and Sale Agreements and real property transactions, involving land use entitlements and zoning between the City, property owners, businesses, and other agencies.  
• Reviews and analyzes property records, title reports, and encumbrances for possible problems or issues that may be relevant to the purchase and use of property. 
• Recommends property settlement terms to City officials. 
• Builds and maintains collaborative working relationships among City departments and divisions with shared interests in the real property initiatives. 
• Negotiates with parties of interest to remove liens, judgments, and other impediments to property acquisition. 
• Prepares necessary documents to effect title changes. 
• Coordinates and monitors eminent domain proceedings in consultation with the City Attorney’s Office. 
• Meets with property owners to explain City need for property and assist in condemnation proceedings. 
• Confers with the City Attorney's office to resolve legal issues surrounding the acquisition and sale of property. 
• Administers the relocation assistance program, including the determination of appropriate payments. 
• Conducts studies of property values, lease terms, maintenance costs, and other factors to establish rental rates and lease conditions. 
• Manages the sale City surplus property, including advertising, negotiations and recommendations regarding property sales.  
• Recommends appointment of personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; conducts performance evaluations; implements discipline procedures as required; maintains discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the department.  
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with staff, other City departments, external partners, and the public using principles of effective customer service.
• Monitors industry trends, market conditions, and legislative actions related to real estate management, acquisition, and disposition; evaluates impacts and recommends policy and procedure improvements.
• Oversees the maintenance of accurate and detailed records and database of all City properties.
• Conducts analysis of City properties to assess opportunities for revenue generation through sale of surplus properties or lease of vacant spaces.
• Manages leases for use of City properties including, but not limited to, various contracts for maintenance, telecommunications equipment, county and state family resource programs, etc. 
• Manages the paid parking program, including equipment installation, maintenance, and vendor contracts, and evaluates opportunities for program expansion.  
• Prepares and presents written and oral reports.

Marginal Functions

• Other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: The factors relevant to the determination of property values; procedures, documents, and forms utilized in property rights sale and acquisition, and relocation assistance programs; the laws and regulations governing the purchase and sale of property; negotiation techniques and strategies; eminent domain proceedings and prevailing rental and lease charges; Caltrans Local Assistance Right of Way Certification requirements for federal grant funded projects; City government, particularly the processes and departments involved with handling real property transactions; supervisory personnel practices and procedures;  effective organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs; effective techniques and methods of leadership, mentoring and supervision; budgeting in public agencies.

Skills in: Dealing effectively with property owners, tenants, attorneys, developers, real estate brokers and the general public; preparing and presenting written and oral reports; handling negotiations for the purchase and sale of property; managing personnel and coordinating the work staff; leadership, and team building, interest based negotiations, dealing effectively with a broad range of clients including developers, property owners, tenants, architects, engineers, the general public and other staff members; work scheduling, task structuring, setting of priorities and monitoring work progress; making verbal and written presentations to individuals and groups;  gaining trust , and developing effective working relationships with staff and customers.

Ability to: Manage and direct a comprehensive Real Property section; coordinate a variety of functional specialties with overlapping work areas; select, supervise, and evaluate staff and provide for training and professional development; understand engineering plans, property descriptions, title reports, contracts, deeds, and other documents associated with property transactions. Interpret and apply provisions of codes, regulations, statutes and ordinances relevant to facilities management and public works construction projects; analyze relevant facility management and construction issues and identify possible solutions; provide explanations to others in a concise, straightforward manner; effectively facilitate complex problem resolution and make final decisions relative to process issues; understand the political sensitivities surrounding facilities management and/or public works facility construction projects and participate in a collaborative and positive manner with internal and external stakeholders to achieve resolution; generate options and make recommendations; be innovative and willing to take initiative; and participate in the selection of consulting professionals, negotiates fees, drafts agreements, outlines project objectives and City requirements, administers related contracts, and reviews and approves consultant-provided documents. 

Candidates must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under the conditions described in this document and to perform the duties required by their assigned position.

Education/Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to satisfactory perform the job as described above would be qualifying.  A typical way to qualify for this position includes: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree preferably in Business, Public Administration, or Engineering (civil, architectural) and five (5) years of significant management level experience including at least three (3) years in managing negotiations and monitoring real property and supervising professional staff, contractors, and consultants.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements

This classification requires the ability to travel independently within and outside of the City limits.  Possession of a valid Class C Driver's License is required.  Failure to maintain this license will result in discipline up to and including termination. 

Real Estate broker’s license is desirable.  A Real Property Administrator (RPA), Certified Property Manager (PPM) designation from the State of California and/or a SR/WA Senior Right-of-Way Associate Certificate is desirable.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Rare = < 10%, Occasional = 11-33%, Frequent = 34-66%, Constant = >66%

Sitting:  Frequent
Walking:  Occasional
Standing:  Rare
Bending (neck):  Occasional
Bending (waist):  Rare
Squatting:  Rare
Climbing:  Rare
Kneeling:  Rare
Crawling:  Rare
Jumping:  Rare – over open drain or other area at construction site
Balancing:  Rare
Twisting (neck):  Rare
Twisting (waist):  Never
Grasp - light (dominant hand):  Rare
Grasp - light (non-dominant):  Rare
Grasp - firm (dominant hand):  Rare
Grasp - firm (non-dominant):  Rare
Fine manipulation (dominant):  Frequent
Fine manipulation (non-dominant):  Frequent
Reach - at/below shoulder:  Rare
Reach – above shoulder level:  Rare

Push/pull:
Up to 10 lbs.  Rare
11 to 25 lbs.  Never
26 to 50 lbs.  Never
51 to 75 lbs.  Never
76 to 100 lbs.  Never
Over 100 lbs.  Never

Lifting:
Up to 10 lbs.  Rare
11 to 25 lbs.  Never
26 to 50 lbs.  Never
51 to 75 lbs.  Never
76 to 100 lbs.  Never
Over 100 lbs.  Never

Carrying:
Up to 10 lbs.  Rare
11 to 25 lbs.  Never
26 to 50 lbs.  Never
51 to 75 lbs.  Never
76 to 100 lbs.  Never
Over 100 lbs.  Never

Coordination:
Eye-hand:  Required
Eye-hand-foot:  Required
Driving:  Required

Vision:
Acuity, near:  Required
Acuity, far:  Required
Depth perception:  Required
Accommodation:  Required
Color vision:  Required
Field of vision:  Required

Talking:
Face-to-face contact:  Required
Verbal contact w/others:  Required
Public:  Required

Hearing:
Normal conversation:  Required
Telephone communication:  Required
Earplugs required:  Not required 

Work environment:
Works indoors, works outdoors, exposure to extreme hot or cold temperature, working at heights, being around moving machinery, exposure to marked changes in temperature/humidity, exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, gases, odors, mists, or other irritating particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to solvents, grease or oil, exposure to slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working below ground, using computer monitor, exposure to vibration, works around others, works alone, works with others. 


Class Code: 5420
FLSA:  Exempt
 EEOC:  2
 Barg Unit:  FAME
 Probation: 12 months
 Rev.:  06/14, 04/26