PLEASE NOTE: This job is posted continuously and will remain open until a selection is made.  Application review will be ongoing, and therefore we encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible. First review of applications will be May 6th,  2021. The Hiring Manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.

The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities dependent on viable fish and wildlife populations.

WDFW manages over a million acres of owned and controlled lands including hatcheries, shellfish beds, wildlife areas and public fishing access areas.

We are seeking an experienced Property & Acquisition Specialist 6 to provide a lead role in prioritizing and implementing strategies and processes for the acquisition of natural resource property!

With that in mind,

• Picture yourself mentoring and supervising a diverse team of real estate and grant management professionals while promoting the conservation of Washington State.
• This is an opportunity to supervise the completion of transaction processes and due diligence for real property acquisitions to ensure timely, accurate closings and post-closing file management.
• The optimal candidate is highly motivated, collaborative, and can naturally establish and maintain positive working relationships with internal staff and external stakeholders and partners.
• We are seeking a candidate with demonstrated skills representing WDFW values of professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, and respect.

Duties

Our Property Acquisition Supervisor,

Provides land acquisition expertise and strategies for the Real Estate Team. Tasks include:

• Providing a lead role in prioritizing and implementing strategies and processes for acquisition of natural resource property.
• Establishing routine communications with Regions, Lands Agents and Real Estate Services (RES) staff to coordinate and prioritize projects and review critical timelines to ensure projects are managed to completion.
• Directing Land Agents with landowner negotiations and assisting with complex negotiations.
• Coordinating with RES staff to ensure expectations for task completion are communicated, tracked, and completed to meet timelines.
• Assisting with the development and editing of documents, maps, and PowerPoint materials for Real Estate Services Manager to present at Fish and Wildlife Commission meetings.
• Ensuring thorough review/processing of documents for timely real estate closings.

Supervises the completion of transaction processes and due diligence for real property acquisitions to ensure timely, accurate closings and post-closing file management.  Tasks include:

• Reviewing legal descriptions and title reviews – requesting surveys when necessary.
• Working with Property Acquisition Specialist 3 (PAS 3) to manage process to update appraisal and/or environmental review contractor lists.
• Coordinating strategies and selecting contractors for appraisals, review appraisals and environmental assessments.
• Preparing, editing, and finalizing all forms of real estate instruments including complex purchase and sale or option agreements, deeds, easements, or other legal documents.
• Coordinating with Property Management Supervisor to ensure consistency with legal documents.
• Coordinating with AAG when necessary to develop and update forms of real estate instruments necessary to acquire property interests.
• Coordinating with RES staff to ensure timely closings for transactions involving WDFW’s land directly or through escrow.

Supervision and Mentoring.  Tasks include:

• Supervising, mentoring, and training one Property Acquisition Specialist 3 and three Property Acquisition Specialist 4’s (Eastside Land Agents).
• Monitoring and inspecting work to ensure timely completion and performance objectives are met.
• Traveling to regions to work with Lands Agents and staying familiar with issues.
• Developing the annual PDP’s for employees.
• Managing personnel issues relating to performance or attendance, etc. in a positive manner to ensure efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.
• Being responsible for planning and maintaining work systems, procedures and encouraging process improvements to enable and encourage the optimum performance of employees and other resources within the unit.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work is performed indoors in an office environment with occasional field visits.
  • Teleworking options may currently be available.
• Schedule:
  • Typically, Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Some statewide travel is required and may require navigating on difficult terrain.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Initiate and conduct meetings, respond to phone calls and emails in timely, professional manner with both public and private partners.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, real estate, natural resource management, or a closely allied field AND Four (4) years of experience in public property management, real property appraising, property negotiations, and/or selling, leasing, or buying real estate.

OR

• One (1) year of experience as a Property and Acquisition Specialist 5.

Please Note: Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Project management – experience demonstrating ability to effectively prioritize multiple issues/tasks.
• Ability to utilize critical thinking skills and problem solve.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Knowledge of title research and escrow procedures involving natural resource lands.
• Knowledge of appraisal processes and requirements for natural resource lands.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, surveys, and legal descriptions.
• Knowledge of grant application procedures.
• Ability to supervise the work of staff/personnel.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of software.