Property & Acquisition Specialist

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT is currently seeking a Property Acquisition Specialist 4 in our Olympic Region. This position is responsible for assisting Headquarters (HQ) Property Management and our agency’s strategic plan. Our goal areas of Workforce Development, by influencing a workplace that supports and promotes training and development for professional growth and upward mobility;
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, by creating, influencing, and fostering a physically and psychologically safe workplace where all employees feel that they belong; and Resilience, by ensuring, through adherence to WSDOT policies, that delivery of real estate acquisition, ongoing management, and research activities are administered to the expected quality, safety, and stewardship standards to support Washington’s long-term resilience.

This position is responsible for assisting the Olympic Region Property & Acquisition Specialist 6 Property Manager with overseeing the property management needs. This includes any project related property management as well as on-going (non-project related) property management such as displace leases and non-displaced leases, airspace and ground leases, cooperative agreements, clearing of encroachments, disposal of surplus property, value memos, and auctions.

• Process all surplus and leasing files.
• Ensure compliance with appropriate laws and applicable sections in the Right of Way Manual.
• Check that all steps in the review process were followed and verify that appropriate reviews were complete.
• Resolve complex Property Management issues.
• Operate state vehicle to conduct site inspections.
• Recommend actions to the Real Estate Services (RES) Manager.
• Review and advise Region and HQ staff on the documents necessary to complete transactions.

• Property Management Oversight and Regulatory Compliance: Demonstrated ability to assist with oversight of Property Management functions by reviewing, processing, and validating surplus and leasing files. Ensures compliance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures, including the Right of Way Manual, by verifying that required reviews, documentation, and approvals are complete and accurate.
• Complex Issue Resolution and Analysis: Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve complex Property Management issues, including encroachments, airspace, displacee and ground leases, disposal of surplus property, and value memoranda. Applies sound judgment to evaluate options and formulate recommendations to leadership regarding lease versus sale and the appropriateness of requests under established real estate processes, procedures, and legal requirements.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness and Communication: Works effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communication styles, maintaining professional, respectful, and positive working relationships with customers, stakeholders, and coworkers. Demonstrates active listening skills and accurately follows verbal and written instructions. Communicates clearly, concisely, and professionally in both oral and written formats using multiple communication methods.
• Independent Analysis and Decision-Making: Independently analyzes information and applies sound judgment to make informed decisions related to Property Management functions. Effectively interprets instructions, prioritizes work, manages competing deadlines, and meets required timelines.
• Technical Reading and Interpretation: Advanced skills in reading and interpreting legal documents, legal descriptions, policies, title and appraisal…