Utility Real Estate Manager

Position Summary

This position is responsible for real estate matters related to substation property, utility easements, and rights of way including oversight of acquisition of new or additional fee simple property or easements and managing utility real estate assets.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Directs the activities related to the development, implementation and evaluation of initiatives, organizational structure, and daily operations for utility real estate program activities
• Researches and develops plan for facilitating long-term utility real estate strategy including existing infrastructure, projected growth, and development
• Develops and negotiates contracts between private developers, governmental entities, and the general public in real estate disposition and acquisition under general direction of executive leadership
• Responds to and resolves sensitive inquiries, complaints, and issues from both internal and external sources
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of trends, practices, and laws in the areas of real estate, acquisitions, property management, eminent domain and asset management including, but not limited to, local zoning, subdivision and platting requirements, land use constraints, state and federal laws, and service area boundaries and regulations
• Informs executive leadership about current trends, problems and activities in these areas to facilitate decision making
• Represents PEC at City Council Meetings, Boards and Commissions, and Community events as directed

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• Manages the acquisition of substation property and transmission easements in support of PEC’s Capital Improvement Plan
• Maintains and manages contract resources, as needed to meet project objectives, during the real estate acquisition phase of substation and transmission projects
• Oversees coordination with engineering staff to determine extent and scope of property rights needed to construct, operate, and maintain PEC’s electric facilities
• Maintains database of property records (easements and deeds)
• Provide support to engineering staff on the cost to acquire the property rights needed to construct substation and transmission projects during the development phase of projects
• Develop long and short term strategic goals, objectives and deliverables for the department
• Recommend, evaluate and oversee the activities of property management, real estate contractors and consultants to ensure that work is performed in accordance with terms and conditions of contracts in cost beneficial manner
• Manage negotiations with property owners to acquire land rights, easements and rights-of-way
• Develop recommendations related to highest and best use of specific properties, including site acquisition, disposal and revenue enhancement opportunities
• Facilitate real estate planning by coordinating requirements with others throughout the Cooperative
• Prepare and review letters, acquisition documents, land and easement purchase agreements
• Coordinate with legal counsel on condemnation cases, documents and other legal matters

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• Apply and interpret real estate practices, property management, contract negotiation and administration laws, regulations, principles and procedures for the overall benefit of the Cooperative
• Coordinates/leads discussions about rights in relation to access, overlapping issues of right of way and road use, environmental issues
• Interprets maps and construction plans
• Understands appraisal processes and explains to external and internal stakeholders
• Executes and completes acquisition documents
• Conducts title searches
• Manages market studies to determine appropriate offer values
• Develop and manage easement encroachment resolution
• Evaluate employees' job performance and conformance to regulations and recommend appropriate personnel action
• Recruit, instruct and supervise subordinates
• Interpret and communicate work procedures and company policies to staff
• Develop and review operating procedures
• Develop and manage department budget
• Establish work priorities and activities
• Recommend promotions, transfers, hires and other disciplinary action
• Establish metrics and prepare monthly reports
• Coordinate activities with other departments

Supervisory and/or Leadership Responsibilities

A full range of supervisory activities, training, evaluation, counseling and recommendation for termination. This includes, but is not limited to, effectively communicating organizational policies and other information to subordinates, ensuring that employees have a clear understanding of their responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Skill in interpreting legal descriptions of leases, real estate, easements and similar properties.
• Skill in interpreting Real Estate law and legal contracts.
• Skill in negotiating real estate transactions such as leases, acquisitions, easements and similar properties.
• Knowledge of business and management principles including strategic planning resource allocation, leadership techniques and budgeting
• Knowledge of using computer systems, which may include setting up and using hardware and software programs, entering data or processing information
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles
• Knowledge of AutoCAD
• Knowledge of principles, processes and standards of commercial real estate transactions and commercial construction
• Ability to read construction drawings, specifications and plans
• Ability to utilize International Building Code, National Electrical Code and other applicable code information
• Skilled in monitoring and managing performance
• Skilled in establishing and communicating performance expectations and metrics

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• Skilled in time management
• Skilled in prioritizing and managing changing priorities
• Skilled in anticipating, identifying, analyzing and resolving conflict and problems
• Skilled in budget development and administratio
• Skilled in planning and organizing
• Skilled in data analysis and problem solving
• Skilled in coordinating various functions
• Ability to handle conflict, hostility and uncertainty
• Ability to assess situations and make accurate decisions
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative
• Ability to deviate from standard practices effectively
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities
• Ability to collect, analyze and interpret applicable data
• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to listen and understand information verbally and in writing
• Maintain the security of confidential information
• Stay abreast of advances in technology
• Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance
• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned

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Minimum Qualifications - (Education, Experience)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public or Business Administration, Real Estate or related field
• Directly related experience may substitute for education
• Six years of experience working with property negotiations, acquisitions, asset/property management, eminent domain/condemnations, Uniform Act, right-of-way experience, appraisals, and/or title examination.
• Right of Way Agent or Right of Way Professional Certification
• Senior Right of Way Professional Designation preferred
• Four years of supervisory experience preferred
• Valid Driver’s License

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here 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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee may be required to stand; reach with hands and arms, stoop and kneel
• The employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time
• The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull or move up to 25 pounds
• The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions including wet and humid conditions
• The employee may be required to travel
• The employee may be required to respond in emergency situations
• Exempt employees receive a fixed bi-weekly salary to compensate them for all hours worked during each pay period
• This position may be required to work more than 40 hours per week

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of essential duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties that may be assigned based on the needs of the Cooperative.