Location: Baton Rouge,LA, USA
47/165104/RWA1-2/12.11.24-TM
Section 47 - Legal
Right of Way Agent 1-2
Please visit our DOTD Career Center for more information about our agency:
About this position:
The Property Litigation Unit of the Legal Section assists the Real Estate Section in acquiring rights of way needed for highway projects, through expropriation. This Unit also handles encroachments, inverse condemnation lawsuits, and other property related matters. The Right of Way Agent's role is to ensure that Consulting contracts and tasking orders are prepared, issued, and kept current. The Agent monitors the work product and progress of the retained consultants, and assists Property Unit Staff Attorneys in case preparation and development.
While in official capacity, DOTD employees must comply with applicable Louisiana and Civil Service laws, rules, and regulations, as well as DOTD policies, procedures, manuals, and directives.
AN IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES:
* Making Accurate Judgments-The ability to form an opinion objectively and decisively based on relevant information and in accordance with established standards.
* Negotiating Agreements-The ability to reach a consensus when parties may have conflicting interests or perspectives.
* Thinking Critically-The ability to objectively question, analyze, interpret, and evaluate information to form a conclusion.
No Civil Service test score or assessment is required to be considered for this vacancy.
This position may be filled as either a probational appointment (open to all qualified applicants); a promotion (open to all statewide classified and Agency-wide permanent status employees); or by detail to special duty.
This position participates in a Career Progression Group (CPG) and may be filled as a Right of Way Agency 1, or Right of Way Agent 2. The level at which the vacancy is filled will be determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series.
The actual starting salary depends on the education and experience of the selected applicant.
Please click on the below links to learn more about each job level:
Right of Way Agent 1: apps01.civilservice.louisiana.gov/onestopjobinfo/DisplayJobSpec.aspx?JobCode=167110
Right of Way Agent 2: apps01.civilservice.louisiana.gov/onestopjobinfo/DisplayJobSpec.aspx?JobCode=167120
Please visit our DOTD Career Center for more information about our agency:
To apply for this vacancy, click on the Apply link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
* Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*
For further information about this vacancy contact:
Melissa Willard
Administrative Program Specialist A
LA DOTD Legal Section
(225) ###-####
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. DOTD does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or pregnancy, and prohibits harassment of any type.
Information on the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here: Louisiana Rehabilitation Services Technical Assistance and Guidance Manual - Louisiana Workforce Commission (laworks.net).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Three years of experience in property rights acquisition, real estate acquisition, real estate property management, relocation assistance, or real estate appraisal; OR
Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR
A bachelor's degree.
EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.
FUNCTION OF WORK:
To learn the basics of routine right of way duties for a state agency.
LEVEL OF WORK:
Entry
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Close from a Right of Way Supervisor or higher-level personnel.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
None.
LOCATION OF WORK:
Primarily located at the Department of Transportation and Development. Other locations may be approved by SCS.
JOB DISTINCTIONS:
Differs from Right of Way Agent 2 by the absence of experienced-level duties.The Property Litigation Unit of the Legal Section assists the Real Estate Section in acquiring rights of way needed for highway projects, through expropriation. This Unit also handles encroachments, inverse condemnation lawsuits, and other property related matters. The Right of Way Agent's role is to ensure that Consulting contracts and tasking orders are prepared, issued, and kept current. The Agent monitors the work product and progress of the retained consultants, and assists Property Unit Staff Attorneys in case preparation and development.
While in official capacity, DOTD employees must comply with applicable Louisiana and Civil Service laws, rules, and regulations, as well as DOTD policies, procedures, manuals, and directives.
35% Assists the attorneys (may be staff attorneys and/or contract attorneys) in obtaining expert real property appraisals, and in securing experts (contract appraisers, cost estimators, economic advisors, and other experts) who are necessary to present a well prepared expropriation case. Fixes amounts of contracts/tasking orders based on the types of property being appraised and the complexity of each. Receives, reviews, and distributes appraisals from experts when requested by the attorney (may be electronic).
25% Prepares tasking orders and/or contracts for expert witnesses, appraisers, and consultants. Negotiates fees with the proposed experts. Maintains the files for experts' master contract and individual contracts. Monitors contract balances and tracks spending. Maintains a list of active contracts. Reviews statements and processes invoices for services (compares work product received with the tasking order amount/fee paid). Processes all expert witness invoices via LaGov and AARS for payment by DOTD Accounting. Assists attorneys in evaluating the experts for their performance in a particular case, and assists the attorneys in determining their credibility for use in future cases. Working in conjunction with Property Unit attorneys, assists in preparing consultant and expert witnesses for depositions and trials.
15% Works as a liaison between the Real Estate Section and the Legal Section Property Unit to ensure continuity in the flow of information and cooperation. When required, works with the Real Estate Section to obtain maps, appraisals, and information needed to complete expropriation packages. Attends project meetings with Real Estate and Project Development as needed.
15% As directed by the Property Unit attorney, gathers relevant case information and may work with outside counsel on landowner issues and lawsuits. Attends court proceedings and depositions as needed or warranted. As directed by the attorney, attends site visits of the properties in order to determine the proper reports needed for trial and coordinates with the expert witnesses to obtain exhibits, maps, etc. to be introduced at trial. Works closely with other divisions of DOTD as well as other state, local, and federal agencies to obtain information and reports needed for the expropriation cases.
5% Assists the Attorney Supervisor of the Property Litigation Unit with obtaining in-house training for the expropriation attorneys and paralegals regarding real property practices and methods and DOTO' s procedures with regard to the acquisition of rights of way (works with Real Estate Section to do this).
5% This position may be required to perform additional duties as necessary, including but not limited to, emergency/disaster support activities.