Title: Eminent Domain Coordinator Sr.

State Role Title: Lnd Acq & Prop Mgmt Agent III

Hiring Range: $73,522 - $119,474

Pay Band: 5

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Fairfax, Alliance Dr

Agency Website: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Right of Way (ROW) Division is seeking to fill one (1) Eminent Domain Coordinator Sr. position. This position will act as a liaison for counsel for the Attorney General’s Office, local attorneys’ staff and Circuit Court staff in the process of acquiring land rights for public highway projects where eminent domain is necessary. This position will provide documentation and/or include evidentiary support for settlement or trial of eminent domain cases adhering to state and federal laws and regulations. The duties of this position include serving as a fact witness in assigned condemnation cases and serving as the VDOT representative at trial and mediations.

This position will support the Northern Region District Offices.

Additional responsibilities include:

Policies and Procedures
Policies and Procedures Interpret and develop policies and procedures through research of State and Federal laws in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration. Coordinate changes in policies and procedures with RWU Administration, the Administrative Process Act, District Relocation Staff, and other State and local public agencies. Determine economic impact of implementing policies and procedures.

Project Development
Provide and analyze data to assist in developing project cost estimates and cost analysis. Make funding recommendations for Right of Way and Utilities. Ensure Right of Way and Utilities portion of project allocations remain within approved budget.

Teamwork
Function as a vital member of a preliminary engineering development team.

ROW and Utilities Management
Compile and generate information for Right of Way and Utilities Management (Negotiation, Appraisal, Relocation, Condemnation) that is ultimately incorporated into the Six-Year Plan and or construction schedule recommending adjustments, assisting in the establishment of target dates and accomplishing milestones. Attend and participate in project related meetings, inspections, scoping, team meetings, citizen advisory groups, public involvement, and hearings.

Interpretation and Application
Interpret state and federal regulations, rules, laws, policies and procedures and then develop recommendations for revisions to policies and procedures for assigned programs.

Inspections
Perform site inspections. Participate in Mediations. Meet landowners to explain the plans and impact of the project. Document in RUMS and on the Team Site mediation data base the results of each mediation. Upload documents for electronic retrieval. Make recommendations to management to assist in resolving conflict to reach settlement. Review prepared written justifications for settlements. Add additional material from research and site inspections in support of the fee attorney settlement and for Agreement After Certificates. Assist Management or Staff Attorney to facilitate settlement of potential condemnation litigation and participate in a plan of action with management.

Leadership
Provide leadership within Location and Design and Right of Way and Utilities teams. Oversee members of varied disciplines and perform complex assignments in one or more of the functional areas of Negotiations, Appraisal, Relocation, Property Management, Legal, Utilities, Environmental, Design and Construction.

Minimum Qualifications

The successful candidate should meet the requirements below:

• Must have a thorough knowledge of Virginia real estate law and State and Federal law as they pertain to appraisal and eminent domain processes.


• Knowledge of title research, deed preparation and settlement procedures is required.


• Must be familiar with roadway survey, design, construction, and the ability to interpret highway plans.


• Must have the ability to communicate both orally and in writing with VDOT staff, landowners, attorneys, court personnel, and local governmental agencies regarding complex legal and real estate issues and to testify to this information before a jury.


• The successful candidate will have knowledge of trial preparation and litigation processes and possess the ability to testify in a demonstrative and intelligent manner.


• Must have a basic understanding of litigation discovery and knowledge of the land valuation process and property transfer procedures in the real estate market.


• An ability to use computer skills as they relate to all of the aforementioned processes is required.


• Must have excellent organization skills and must have the ability to work within a fixed time schedule and must be willing to work after normal business hours as needed.


• Ability to analyze and compile information and prepare correspondence and reports.


• Knowledge of project development and public involvement processes.


• Ability to perform multiple, concurrent tasks, work effectively with customers, and work independently of direct daily supervision.


• Skill in reading and interpreting property plats and plans.


• Knowledge of engineering as it relates to highway construction to include coordination of preliminary engineering activities and development of estimates, design concepts and project sequence.


• Some overnight travel is required.
  
  
  

Additional Considerations

A combination of training, experience, or education in Business Administration, Real Estate, or related field desired.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application.

VDOT utilizes a market-based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

Additional positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days.

This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, DMV Record Check and Work History Verification with references.

VDOT is an emergency operation agency. Positions physically working within district boundaries, including those that administratively report to Central Office, may be assigned to emergency response duties at the discretion of the District Engineer or Administrator.
Safety shoes are required.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.

Contact Information

Name: Audrey Phillips

Phone: 804-837-4748

Email: audrey.phillips@vdot.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.