Right of Way Agent (Public Infrastructure Projects)

WHY BUILD YOUR CAREER HERE?

LJA is offering a Right of Way Agent position that will allow you to further develop your career within the Right of Way industry, expand your base skills into a larger repertoire of management tools, and work with driven, like-minded Right of Way Professionals. This opportunity is available to Agents of various levels, from new to the industry to a seasoned industry veteran.

At LJA, you’ll experience a culture of camaraderie, teamwork, and inclusivity, where your input and contribution matters. In this role, you will have autonomy to use your skills amongst a team of individuals who promote mutual support and take pride in producing top-quality deliverables. This position will report to one of the Houston-area LJA offices but will be part of a statewide real estate team.

WHAT IS LJA LOOKING FOR?

LJA is looking to add a Right of Way Agent to its team that has depth of experience in public infrastructure projects and is proficient negotiating on projects subject to the Uniform Act. As a Right of Way Agent, you will be conducting negotiations with landowners using establish negotiation skills and techniques. Building rapport and knowledge of the acquisition process are essential. In addition, the ideal candidate for this position should possess working knowledge of all phases/aspects of the right of way acquisition process: title, appraisal, negotiation, closing, relocation, Uniform Act, and Texas eminent domain procedures. Responsibilities will be negotiating with property owners, making offers, engaging in counteroffer preparation and submittal, conductive title curative measures, and closing the parcel through a title company. It is critical to have proficiency with appraisal methodology and concepts. Public projects will include infrastructure improvement projects subject to Uniform Act requirements and may also necessitate adherence to the policies and procedures of the Texas Department of Transportation, as well as other entities. LJA is seeking someone who is driven, conscientious in their work, and works well with team members in remote locations. Other important aspects of include the ability to negotiate on multiple projects concurrently, to work under multiple project managers, and to work on projects that require travel within the State of Texas.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

Our exciting and entrepreneurial culture will allow you to think creatively, solve problems, and meet the needs of our clients daily. A typical day might include the following:

Participate in the right of way acquisition of property rights for a large public right of way project or multiple smaller projects with many complex features Handle negotiating and ancillary documentation for parcels on day-to-day basis Provide current parcel updates in Contact Logs and project status reports Use advanced technology, techniques, and practices to resolve challenges throughout the acquisition process and related real estate services disciplines Participate in status meetings Execute responsibilities with a sense of urgency while maintaining quality and accuracy of deliverables

WHAT EDUCATION, LICENSES, AND DESIGNATIONS ARE NEEDED?

4-year college degree (certain experience may be substituted for full degree requirements) R/W—NAC or SR/WA from the International Right of Way Association Texas Real Estate Sales Agent’s (Texas law license may be substituted) Active Texas Notary

HERE ARE THE “MUST HAVE” REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of FIVE (5) years of experience negotiating on public infrastructure projects, including projects with Department of Transportation oversight Experience utilizing the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970, as amended Proficient with MS Office Suite, especially TEAMS, Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint Ability to travel overnight, if needed Valid Driver’s License (good driving record) Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills Ability to build and maintain strong internal and external relationships, as well as establish rapport with property owners Ability to work with a team of right of way agents and coordinating on the same project Familiarity with acquisition appraisal elements and methodology Must be able to report to an LJA office in the Houston, Austin, or San Antonio area

BONUS POINTS IF YOU HAVE

Experience working on TxDOT Projects and proficiency with its processes and systems, TxDOTCONNECT, and Status Reports

MIND/BODY ENDURANCE

Sit for extended periods of time working on a computer with various software applications Intraoffice and Interoffice mobility required to attend project meetings, client meetings, and meetings with team members and support staff Actively participate in meetings to follow-up with team members and clients on action items Ability to accurately work under pressure to meet deadlines Capable of quickly evaluating accuracy in real estate acquisition documents Critical thinking and problem-solving attributes Ability to drive long distances and for extended periods of time

OWN YOUR FUTURE AT LJA

As a 100% employee-owned company, LJA Engineering, Inc. promotes an entrepreneurial spirit that helps drive the bottom line and the long-term professional and financial success of our employees. With more than 55 office locations, and nearly 2,000 employee-owners, LJA is growing and looking for talented people to join our team and grow their futures with us. LJA is consistently ranked as a #1 Top Workplace and recognized as one of the Top Firms in the industry. We offer exceptional benefits that promote the health and financial security of our employee-owners and their families. A few of our benefits include:

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Optional Flexible Work Schedule Paid time off and holidays (including an office closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day) Yearend merit bonus Health, dental, and vision plans (with options) Paid maternity and parental leave Education and tuition reimbursement programs Referral bonus program Company sponsored volunteer and philanthropy opportunities Memberships to professional organizations Career path discussions with your manager/group leadership

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