Description

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) is a not-for-profit, community-owned water utility, overseen by elected officials and citizen appointees from Reno, Sparks and Washoe County. TMWA has a highly skilled workforce who ensure the around-the-clock treatment, delivery and availability of high-quality drinking water for more than 475,000 residents of the Truckee Meadows.

We are looking to hire a LANDS ADMINISTRATOR to join our NATURAL RESOURCES Department.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lands Administrator has the primary responsibility for managing, organizing, and administering the activities related to all TMWA real property matters including, but not limited to, land use; rights-of-way and easement requirements; land acquisitions; facilities relocation; property management; appraisal and permitting; and other real property issues. The Lands Administrator is responsible for assisting in the development of Lands program policies, devising short-term and long-term plans that establish a clear set of objectives to produce a successful Lands program. The Lands Administrator will assist and provide direction to Land Agents regarding setting priorities and goals, coordinating day-to-day Lands functions, working with TMWA legal counsel on Lands issues. The Lands Administrator is the primary escalation point of contact for TMWA employees with Lands issues and is responsible for handling real property matters brought before the TMWA board.

The Lands Administrator performs a wide range of work related to real property and is relied on by other Land Agents and TMWA employees to assist with highly-complex or specialized real estate matters. The Lands Administrator will perform Land Agent functions, but will primarily be focused on the more difficult and complex real property matters. The Lands Administrator must train and mentor Land Agents, assist them as necessary with TMWA real property matters, and assist department leadership by ensuring priority projects are monitored and completed in a timely manner. The Lands Administrator will often be the lead agent on complex real property matters.

Duties and tasks at this level reflect substantial variety and complexity; assignments are generally broad in nature and usually require originality or ingenuity. Incumbents serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues and work under minimal supervision and may direct others in what they should be doing to accomplish the tasks and objectives of the program of which they administer. Relies on professional experience and judgement to plan and accomplish assigned tasks and goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

We believe that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor TMWA to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

• Prioritizes projects and assists Land’s staff regarding the day-to-day work of the Lands group in accordance with departmental goals and timelines.
• Under general direction of the Natural Resources Director and Resource Services Manager, coordinates the disposal of all surplus real property.
• Works with department leadership to develop and implement Department goals related to TMWA real property.
• Lead and participate in developing protocols and procedures to improve management of TMWA’s real property assets.
• Reviews and signs subdivision, parcel, and other maps.
• Reviews and signs grants of easements or rights-of-way and abandonment of public utility easements.
• Provides feedback for the annual evaluations of Land Agents and assists with the Lands’ budget.
• Maintains a comprehensive and detailed list of all real property matters affecting TMWA’s interests and, with the assistance of Land’s staff, conducts monthly meetings to update the Department Head regarding the status of all TMWA real property related projects.
• Right-of-Way, Easement and Project Planning: Works directly with TMWA staff, investigates, confirms and/or obtains legal rights-of-way and easement access to project sites by (1) reviewing the location for installation of water facilities as detailed in proposed construction, water, and engineering plans; (2) researching land ownership, reviewing and plotting legal property descriptions, and preparing legal right-of-way documentation; (3) reviewing subdivision and parcel maps (and signing parcel maps and subdivision maps at the direction of the Natural Resources Director or Resource Services Manager), confirming proper easements; (4) obtaining required permits and licenses; (5) coordinating the signing, recording and tracking system of property ownership documents; and (6) actively enforcing easement rights against trespass.
• Analysis, Appraisal and Negotiation Participation: (1) analyzes various properties within a targeted area for proposed projects; (2) conducts field inspections of proposed sites; (3) completes comparable market and land acquisition cost analysis; (4) coordinates and contracts outside services for appraisals, title searches, property profiles, land survey and parcel maps; (5) works directly with title and escrow officers in land acquisition and surplus property sales; (6) reviews and analyzes state and local statutes and land use and zoning regulations for project compliance; and (7) works directly with legal counsel on condemnation suits.
• Paralegal: (1) reviews and drafts policy and position papers on issues and pending legislation pertaining to public utilities, land use and property rights; (2) prepares and reviews legal documents for purposes of land acquisition, easements, and rights-of-way; (3) prepares documentation necessary for condemnation litigation and acts as liaison to legal counsel; and (4) prepares and coordinates delivery of professional services contracts.
• Real Estate Agent: The agent monitors real property activities throughout the service area and participates and communicates with the local board of realtors, their multiple listing service, and local and state agencies to stay abreast of new and proposed real estate issues and legislative requirements.
• Administrative Duties: Must have the ability to (1) plan, coordinate and facilitate all real property activities pertaining to TMWA or customer’s proposed projects; (2) effectively monitor and track real property ownership documents and transaction records; and (3) provide real estate support to all departments. Must have knowledge of and comply with TMWA’s Records Retention Schedules for all documents and records associated with land, easement and rights-of-way activities including but not limited to scanning of documents, checking documents into TMWA’s digital records management system, review of archive records, complete Certificates of Destruction, and ensure destruction of records pursuant to Retention Schedules.

TMWA is an equal opportunity employer. It is TMWA’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, gender, religion, age, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. TMWA’s commitment to equal opportunity includes all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, job placement, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, advancement, and termination.

All decisions affecting any terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, salary, disciplinary action, and an employee’s caregiving responsibilities, will be made without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, gender, religion, age, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

TMWA complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at hr@tmwa.com or 775-834-8207.

TMWA is committed to providing a safe work environment and to fostering the health and well-being of our employees. That commitment is jeopardized when any of our employees illegally use drugs at home or at work, comes to work under the influence, possesses, distributes, or sells drugs in the workplace, or abuses alcohol on the job. As part of our commitment to safeguard the well-being of our employees and to provide a safe environment for everyone, TMWA has established a drug-free workplace policy.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the minimum requirements is:

Experience: At least ten years experience as a Land Agent, or real estate-related field.

Education & Training: Post secondary education including but not limited to bachelor degree in geography, computer science, or a related field. Must be computer proficient in various programs and competent in drafting legal documents and pleadings.

Must have working-level knowledge of the English language including reading, writing, and speaking English.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSURE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must hold a valid driver’s license from the State of Nevada or, for applicants who reside in another state within a commutable distance (including students), a valid driver’s license issued by their state of residence.
• Must also meet and maintain eligibility to be covered under TMWA’s vehicle insurance requirements.
• Senior Right of Way Agent designation with the International Right of Way Association is required.
• Active Nevada Real Estate sales or broker’s license strongly preferred. 
• Paralegal certification is preferred.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation during the hiring process and periodically during employment, background investigations may be conducted.

This position is considered a safety-sensitive position and employment is contingent upon the results of drug and/or alcohol testing which includes screening for marijuana. The presence of marijuana or other screened-for substances on any employment related substance test may result in a refusal to hire or termination of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Must be knowledgeable of real estate, acquisitions, sales and property management in utility operations and the policies, procedures and standards related to right-of-way.
• Must have knowledge of reviewing and utilizing appraisal reports, right-of-way plans, legal documents, title instruments and correcting deficiencies.
• Knowledge and experience in technical reviews and processing of development related applications, subdivision tract maps, parcel maps, easement deeds and abandonments.
• Knowledge of local, state, Federal, and railroad permitting processes. 
• Knowledge of and comply with TMWA’s Records Retention Schedules for all documents and records employee generates, collects, and stores throughout tenure as employee.
• Manage multiple priorities, assignments, tasks and projects concurrently.
• Utilize excellent oral and written communication skills and proficiency with computers and various software programs. 
• Work cooperatively with the public and other local agencies.
• Be punctual regarding work hours established by TMWA.
• Be mentally and physically alert during working hours.