Property Acquisitions Program Manager

California Water Service

Job Description:

SUMMARY:
The Property Acquisitions Program Manager (PAPM) is responsible for all Capital Delivery project-related acquisitions of property and property rights, including fee simple purchases, easements, licenses and/or leases to support timely execution of capital projects on scope, schedule, and budget. The position will establish and execute property acquisition strategy, standards, processes, tools, tracking and reporting to maximize the organization’s effectiveness in securing the property rights needed to accommodate necessary water system improvements. The PAPM manages, leads and coordinates the real estate acquisition program with the support of a cross-functional team of internal personnel from Engineering, Operations, and Legal, including external/regional right of way consultants and real estate brokers and agents as needed to effectively execute property transactions statewide. The position reports to the Project Support Services Manager and can be located in San Jose, Chico, Bakersfield or Torrance California.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Establishes and executes property acquisition strategy, standards, processes, tools, tracking and reporting to maximize the organization’s effectiveness in securing property rights

• Manages, leads and coordinates the right of way acquisition program with the support of a cross-functional team of internal personnel from Engineering, Operations, and Legal including external and regional right of way consultants, real estate brokers and agents, as needed to effectively execute property transactions statewide

• Establishes and maintains property acquisition policies, functions, processes, procedures, tools and responsibilities for successful property acquisitions

• Establishes and oversees a team of outside support specialists (brokers, agents, etc.) as needed to effectively manage property acquisition needs statewide

• Develops and maintains a system to forecast property acquisition needs and develops plans to meet acquisition timelines to avoid project delay

• Develops and maintains a system to track all property acquisitions currently in progress with clear visibility on expected acquisition timelines and project schedule needs

• Maintains individual property acquisition project schedules in Microsoft Project Online (MSPO)

• Develops acquisition strategies to include recovery approaches to address acquisitions falling behind project needs

• Documents acquisitions risk and issues and works with internal departments to develop and implement mitigations

• Works internally with other departments to develop clear escalation protocol to ensure responsible and supported use of alternative land acquisition approaches

• Has sole responsibility to lead the property acquisitions program, establish the appropriate strategy, monitor and direct the work of internal and external support staff and be fully accountable for timely acquisitions

• Develops, monitors and measures metrics to track level-of-service and performance

• Assists in the development of long-range vision, mission, and strategic planning for the Project Support Services team and Capital Delivery group

• Performs work on-site in the assigned office location

• Performs other similar duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Business, Engineering, or related field

• Minimum five years of progressive experience in right of way, civil engineering, project management, property acquisitions, property contract management, title, or real estate law

• Professional Engineer (PE) or Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications required

• Surveyor License desired

• Water Distribution and Water Treatment Operator Certifications desirable

• Valid California Driver License

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of water system engineering, operations, and maintenance

• Knowledge and understanding of project management and project delivery processes and procedures

• Experience conducting negotiations, contractual terms and conditions for agreements such as licenses, consents, and/or easement acquisitions

• Experience reviewing title reports and understanding of real property rights including easements and leases

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, with ability to flex from detailed, lower level content to executive level summary information

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills

• Strong business acumen

• Abil