Land Acquisition Branch Manager (project Coordinator)

Job Announcement

This position works within the Land Acquisition Branch of the Stewardship and Planning Division as part of one of the most highly regarded park systems in the country. As the county's largest landowner, with more than 425 parks, 23,000 acres of parkland, nine REC Centers, eight golf courses, and three lakefront parks, FCPA is an exciting organization to be a part of and there are many opportunities for staff to make a difference at every level.

The Land Acquisition Branch acquires and manages the land holdings. This position leads the following: Land Acquisition, Rental Management, Real Estate Leasing/Agreements, Land Development/Infrastructure Review, Survey, Telecommunications, and Land Records. This position requires real estate expertise while supervising staff. Handles branch administration, manages the day-to-day workload, supports other agency divisions, presents information to the director's offices, and briefs the Park Authority Board regularly. Provides professional land acquisition consultation in support of the Park Authority's land acquisition initiatives for new parkland, and capital improvement and renovation of assets. Provides extensive land management duties that include plan review, land records review, and field review to support the protection of the Park Authority's land holdings, natural resources, and cultural resources. This position is engaged with real estate professionals for leasing, rental management, the Resident Curator Program, and land development that includes negotiations for developer, infrastructure, and telecommunications projects. Leads the above-mentioned lines of business, requires experience in drafting and reviewing legal documents, and developing the open space land acquisition strategy for parks.

Illustrative Duties

Actively participates in the planning, supervision, and coordination of major and/or sensitive construction or land acquisition projects;

• Provides expert technical leadership in the development of land rights and legal agreements between the agency and other governmental agencies or private land owners;
• Provides supervision, guidance, and training to subordinate technical staff;
• Confers with County attorneys, County and State agencies, architects, engineers, staff members, and contractors regarding the progress of construction and/or acquisition projects, code compliance, and securing of permits;
• Negotiates and resolves major and/or sensitive purchases of real property;
• Manages and resolves legal issues associated with land acquisition and land management contracts, lease and license agreements, interim use agreements, encroachments and other legal matters and testifies in court;
• Makes recommendations for condemnation proceedings, property use and disposal of surplus properties;
• Reviews construction plans and specifications, shop drawings, insurance claims, payment requisitions, and inspection reports;
• Processes easements for utilities;
• Reviews cost estimates, cost studies, approves and administers contracts;
• Oversees inspection procedures and assignments;
• Ensures conformance to state, county and agency procurement regulations and policies;
• Ensures compliance with federal and state requirements on grant funded projects;
• Compiles facts and prepares reports and correspondence including Board items and presentations; Attends public hearings;
• Assists in the preparation of the agency budget.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of real property acquisition;
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations governing land acquisition, construction, condemnation proceedings, and contracts;
• Ability to negotiate with property owners or agents and to direct subordinates in exercising proper judgment in property negotiation;
• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, assign and evaluate the work of professional and support staff in a complex, highly interactive work environment;
• Ability to direct programs requiring coordination with other governmental agencies, private developers, lending institutions and citizen organizations;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to structure, prepare and deliver concise, understandable presentations on complex issues;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials and representatives of public, private sector and community organizations;
• Ability to enforce contractual specifications;
• Ability to train and supervise subordinates.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, or a related field, and six years of progressively responsible experience in or affiliated with land planning and/or redevelopment, engineering or architecture, or management of large and complex construction or maintenance projects.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: Driver's License (Required)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 4-year bachelor's degree from an accredited university with at least 10 years of experience that includes a combination of related land acquisition, and real estate experience in Fairfax County or the state of Virginia. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and federal code. Experience with county and agency systems such as GEM, CPAN, iCare, PLUS, and Asset Management.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to conduct field review and inspect acquisition sites which may include hiking through stream valleys and properties of varying terrain. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE: Panel interview; may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others). We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.