Right of Way Agent

Position Information The purpose of this classification is to coordinate acquisition of right-of-way from property owners for use in County construction projects. Job Summary The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Provides direction, training, guidance, and assistance to County consultants; coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work, inspects completed work, and troubleshoots problem situations. Identifies right-of-way property and easements requiring County acquisition to conduct road construction projects, water & sewer infrastructure projects and other projects requiring land rights; researches property deeds, plat records, and other legal records to determine ownership, property rights, and correct right-of-way; makes copies of tax maps, retrieves deeds and plats for road, and prepares list of property owners. Visits road sites of potential projects; determines whether road can be improved to meet County standards; verifies compliance with fifteen houses per mile rule. Communicates and negotiates with property owners to secure County acquisition of right-of-way property for road improvement, easements, and water & sewer infrastructure projects; prepares and mails necessary letters, forms, and deeds for property owners to dedicate right-of-way or easements; makes copies of current tax maps and identifies property owners not responding to right-of-way and easement requests; initiates follow-up communications with property owners not responding to initial communications; mails letters of notification to property owners prior to commencement of road improvement and water & sewer infrastructure projects. Coordinates with Procurement to obtain quotes for surveying, title searches, and appraisals required for right-of-way acquisitions; submits quotes to Right of Way Manager for approval; prepares notices to proceed and other documentation required for completion of work. Prepares closing documents and right-of-way deeds for acquisitions; requests authorization from County Commissioners to mail deeds to acquire right-of-way on requested roads; assists legal counsel in preparing documents required for condemnation. Researches roads listed in County Road inventory with zero right-of-way; determines existence of any right-of-way; notifies road inventory manager of any changes needed to update inventory. Provides information and assistance related to department projects, activities, procedures, documentation, or other issues; educates property owners regarding right-of-way issues; assists the public in locating easements, determining existing right-of-way, and identifying end of County-maintained roads; informs property owners of impact of road improvement, easements or water & sewer infrastructure projects on their property, and proper procedures to request maintenance or paving of gravel roads or abandoned roads; responds to routine questions/complaints, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution. Prepares website information pertaining to right-of-way issues; responds to emails received through website. Maintains master status sheet on all projects involving acquisition of right-of-way projects. Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, lists, status reports, tax statements, deeds, easements, or other documents. Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, property plats, deeds, easements, tax maps, road inventory records, policies, procedures, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate. Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail, Internet, or other computer programs. Creates and maintains files/records of right-of-way acquisitions; updates records of research previously conducted for right-of-way acquisitions. Retrieves deeds and plats from courthouse as needed. Serves as liaison between all parties involved in acquisition projects; coordinates legal aspects of acquisitions with County legal counsel. Serves as a representative of the County to the public. Assists water department, utility companies, and surveyors in determining existing right-of-way on County-maintained roads. Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, County officials, attorneys, appraisers, property owners, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems. Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable regulations, standards, and guidelines. Operates a motor vehicle to conduct work activities. This classification is designated as a safety sensitive position which is subject to random drug and alcohol testing and any other drug testing methods as stated in policies adopted by Forsyth County concerning drug and alcohol. Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, sending/receiving faxes, making copies, filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail. Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed. Performs other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or GED; supplemented by three (3) years previous experience and/or training that includes right-of-way administration, property acquisition negotiations, map/plat interpretation, research of legal records, office administration, and personal computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license. BENEFITS PROVIDED BY FORSYTH COUNTY TO FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES: Personal Leave Accrual Personal leave shall be accrued as follows: 0 - 4 Years - 20 days per year - 6.16 hours per pay period 5 - 14 Years - 25 days per year - 7.70 hours per pay period 15+Years - 30 days per year - 9.24 hours per pay period Observed Holidays New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (2), and Christmas (2). Medical Insurance The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners offers employees a choice of two medical plans offered by Aetna and a plan offered by Kaiser Permanente. Aetna Choice POS II - $2000 Individual Deductible (Basic Plan) Aetna Choice POS II - $1000 Individual Deductible (Plus Plan) Kaiser Permanente HMO- $0 Individual Deductible Dental Insurance The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners offers two dental plans from Delta Dental: Base $1,000 Plan Buy-Up $1,500 Plan Vision Insurance The vision plan offered by Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is administered by Aetna and will offer office visit copays for exams, as well as copays for lenses, frames, and contacts. Basic Life & AD&D Insurance The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recognizes the importance of basic life insurance for all of its employees. The Board provides term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) protection for each full-time employee. This is a County-paid benefit. Disability Insurance - Short Term and Long Term 100% paid by Forsyth County. Eligibility begins date of hire. Short Term Disability - 60% of weekly earnings to a maximum of $1,000.00 a week. Eligibility begins 14 days after an accident or sickness and has a benefit period of 24 weeks. Long Term Disability - 60% of monthly earnings to a maximum of $5,000.00 a month. Eligibility begins at 26 weeks to coordinate with the end of Short Term benefits and continues 24 months (Own Occupation). Additional Life Insurance and AD&D Rates vary based on amount of coverage selected. Additional life insurance may be purchased for employee, spouse, and children. Retirement Plan (401K) Fully vested at five years of employment - 20% graduated vesting annually. Eligible to begin contributions immediately upon hire. Six Months through One Year of County Service Forsyth County matches your contributions, dollar for dollar, up to 5% of your pay. That's a 100% return on the first 5% of pay you save. Years One through Five Forsyth County "seeds" your account with 5% of your pay each year, and matches 100% of what you contribute, up to 5% of your pay. Years 5 through 10 The County continues its automatic "seed" contribution of 5% of pay, matches up to the first 5% of pay that you contribute, then adds a 50% match up to the next 5%. After 10 Years of Service You continue to receive a 100% County match on the first 5% of pay you contribute, and 50% on the next 5% of pay you save. But now, the automatic contribution the County makes to "seed" your account each year increases to 7.5% of your pay. 01 Do you have a high school diploma or a G.E.D? Yes No 02 Do you have at least three (3) years previous experience and/or training that includes right-of-way administration, property acquisition negotiations, map/plat interpretation, research of legal records, office administration, and personal computer operations? Yes No 03 Do you have a valid driver's license? Yes No Required Question Agency Forsyth County Address 110 East Main Street Suite 230 Cumming, Georgia, 30040 Phone Website