Title: Relocation Improvement Program Manager

State Role Title: Lnd Acq & Prop Mgmt Manager I

Hiring Range: $78,044 - $126,822

Pay Band: 5

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Annex Building

Agency Website: www.virginiadot.org/jobs

Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A

Job Duties

****PLEASE NOTE: This position is open to VDOT employees only. 

The Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) is excited to offer and announce a competitive opportunity to serve as a Relocation Improvement Prog Manager in the Central Office’s Right of Way Division. This position will be located in Richmond, Virginia. The selected candidate will administer, lead, and direct acquisition, legal, special negotiations and relocation assistance programs and staff in the Right of Way and Utilities Division, ensuring successful delivery of right of way and utilities' requirements for projects.

This challenging and rewarding position’s specific responsibilities and duties will include, but are not limited to:

Acquisition and Legal

Administer statewide acquisition and legal program. Evaluate and recommend approval or rejection of settlements involving all agreements after certificates and administrative settlements. Evaluate, analyze and make recommendations to the Director of Right of Way regarding refusal and certificates. Continue negotiation efforts with property owners.

Program Management

Plan, direct and administer assigned programs within Right of Way. Meet project advertisement date commitment for the acquisition of right of way and relocation and, or adjustment of utilities. Develop and implement statewide policies and procedures, perform audits to ensure compliance and consistency in program areas, and maintain programs' section of the ROW manual. Provide guidance and interpretation of policies, procedures and statutory requirements. Serve as liaison between Central Office, Regional Offices and consultant contractors. Develop and implement short and long-range strategies for improvement and enhancement of Division processes and employee satisfaction. Serve as project manager on complex, special, or unique projects. Exercise sensitivity and acknowledge diversity during business decision making. Support decisions made by all levels of management. Provide training to staff statewide.

Project Development

Evaluate and monitor project development involving value engineering responsibilities. Research and prepare specialized reports, lead special assignments, and serve on and chair committees assigned by Division Administration and the Executive Team.

Professionalism and Training

Promote professionalism through statewide training and development of Right of Way personnel, fee appraisers and Right of Way acquisition consultants. Research new technological advances and assess staffing needs.

Special Negotiations and Property Rights

Conduct special negotiations and obtain property rights required for roadway construction, operation and maintenance of highways from a select group of customers and landowners to include federal and state agencies, private railway companies, utility companies and other entities that may be exempt from condemnation. Evaluate and make recommendations regarding plans and design to minimize project impacts to landowner's property. Create legal instruments and agreements and finalize transfer of property rights through execution of documents. Maintain current status of all special negotiations to ensure they are concluded on time to meet VDOT's construction advertisement schedule. Fulfill all long-term obligations that may result during negotiation. Cultivate and maintain good working relationship with landowners.

Program Leadership

Plan, direct and administer the statewide acquisition, legal, relocation assistance and special negotiation programs.

Communications

Correspond and interact with Central Office staff, regions, consultants, landowners, displaced persons, attorneys, government officials and agencies, corporations and the general public concerning complex or sensitive right of way problems, taking action to achieve a positive solution with appropriate follow-up. Attend meetings, facilitate actions and demonstrate support for VDOT's mission, goals and objectives. Provide timely, accurate, pertinent information to citizens, community groups, elected officials and government agencies to provide the best customer service.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of all disciplines involved in the acquisition of Right of Way and Utilities, preliminary engineering and construction sequences, and design concepts.
• Knowledge of administrative, managerial and leadership principles and practices.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications.
• Ability to be flexible and make decisions using sound and independent judgment as dictated by situations to reach a positive outcome.
• Knowledge of contractual procurement and prequalification.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to the acquisition of Right of Way and Utilities, as well as VDOT, Right of Way and Utilities policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with internal and external customers.
• Knowledge of supervisory practices to include discipline and performance management.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and manage a complex program.
• Ability to interpret and apply state and federal laws and VDOT policies and procedures.

Additional Considerations

• A combination of training, experience, or education in Property Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Real Estate, or related field desired.
• Progressively responsible managerial experience in right of way and utilities or other transportation programs.

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.

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

This position is designated as essential, employees may be required to work in emergencies, including weekends, holidays, and after normal business hours; assignments may vary based on business needs to include working in severe weather.

This position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Teleworking 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.

Contact Information

Name: Audrey Phillips

Phone: 804-837-4748

Email: [email protected]

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.