Right of Way Agent Senior

Overview

Multnomah County Department of Community Services (DCS) seeks a full‑time Right of Way (ROW) Agent Senior to join our Transportation team. The ROW Agent Senior will act as the subject‑matter expert for Road Engineering teams, Transportation Planners, and the Administration staff, managing complex professional property acquisition work for the County’s transportation network of over 290 miles of roads and county‑operated Willamette River bridges.

• Coordinate and lead ROW tasks for projects with federal, state, and local agencies, engineering firms, ROW services providers, and the County Attorney’s office to ensure acquisitions comply with laws, rules, and regulations while meeting overall project schedule and budget goals.
• Manage property title research, negotiate with property owners, and advise on development review requirements and ROW vacations.
• Develop ROW acquisition strategies supporting transportation project goals.
• Manage project deliverables of consultants for legal descriptions, appraisals, and acquisition documentation.
• Review construction plans to determine property rights required to complete transportation projects.
• Present information and explain procedures to the public and private property owners pertaining to past, present, and future ROW acquisitions and capital project details.
• Research, manage, and present information regarding ROW purchases and dedications.
• Plan, design, and present County position at public hearings on proposed and planned ROW acquisition projects.
• Develop and maintain meticulous and clear records on ROW needs for capital projects.
• Ensure strict compliance with grant requirements, federal documentation, program goals, and public expectations.
• Effectively communicate with the public, impacted property owners, contractors, consultants, and County staff on all stages of capital project ROW phases from concept to completed construction.

The Multnomah County Transportation Division manages and preserves the County road infrastructure, supporting economic and community vitality with 297 miles of roads, 6 Willamette River bridges, over 1,750 culverts, and more than 1,750 smaller bridges. The Division’s mission is to help people safely get to where they need to go, protect public investment, support social equity and economic well‑being, and plan for the future transportation needs of Multnomah County.

• Employer‑funded retirement savings.
• Health and dental insurance at very low cost to full‑time employees and their dependents.
• Paid parental leave.
• Wellness programs.
• Focus on work‑life balance.

We consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills unless an item or section is labeled required. This senior level position expects direct experience in this field.

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Communications, or related field (equivalent work experience acceptable).
• Three (3) years of right‑of‑way related work including real estate appraisal, property law, acquisition/negotiation, property management, title examination, condemnation, or closely related experience.
• Valid Oregon driver’s license with acceptable driving record.

• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, policies, and plans related to right‑of‑way acquisition by public agencies, including just compensation and eminent domain.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County staff, vendors, contractors, community partners, elected officials, and the public.
• Leadership, team building, mentoring, coaching, and modeling a collaborative leadership style.
• Experience implementing street vacations and/or surplusing property.
• Experience with real property appraisal and establishing market value.
• Knowledge of property and contract law principles and practices.
• Experience reading and interpreting maps, engineering drawings, and sketches, and researching and establishing property ownership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or…