Senior Real Estate Negotiator

Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today and tomorrow. We offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits program. Learn more about the benefits Metro offers.
Metro's Parks and Nature Department seeks compassionate, collaborative, creative thinkers who are passionate about Real Estate, conserving fish and wildlife habitat, providing safe places for biking and walking, and creating an equitable region for all. Parks and Nature's land acquisition team is seeking two Senior Real Estate Specialists; however, they do have the ability to fill as an Associate Real Estate Specialist. Real Estate Specialists in Parks and Nature work to purchase natural area lands and rights to build trails.
These purchases protect and enhance ecological values, mitigate climate change, and fill gaps in the off-street biking network in the Portland region. The incumbents will work with Metro conservation and parks planning staff, attorneys, landowners and other partners to develop successful Real Estate transactions that advance the commitments Metro made to voters through the 2019 Parks and Nature bond measure. You will join a team of 4 Real Estate Specialists each responsible for leading land acquisition efforts for their assigned geographic portfolio. The team acquires a variety of interests including fee simple, conservation easements, and trail easements, and works across the tri-county region. The work is independent, so we seek candidates that have experience working in Real Estate, demonstrated good judgement, and the ability to manage multiple complex transactions simultaneously. Metro strives to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all its work, both within and outside the organization. To be successful in this role, you must understand the history of inequity in the United States and how systemic racism, racial disparities, and white supremacy culture play out in today's environmental movement and
through settler/colonial concepts like land ownership. Building and maintaining authentic relationships with colleagues and community members is an important function of this position, so we seek candidates with self-awareness, strong cross-cultural communication skills, and experience successfully working with staff and community members from a wide variety of cultural and racial backgrounds.
As the Senior Real Estate Specialist you will:

• Negotiate property acquisitions with landowners, from prospecting through closing, including development and implementation of negotiations strategy, and development, review, interpretation and monitoring of contracts and related documents.
• Evaluate, prioritize, and conduct targeted outreach to private landowners, educate landowners about Metro Parks and Nature's mission and goals, cultivate willing sellers, and be responsive to new opportunities and community questions.
• Study Real Estate market trends, understand market dynamics and land use limitations or opportunities, conduct market analysis, and develop defensible estimations of fair market value.
• Conduct site visits on properties that are often rural, heavily forested, and/or have difficult terrain, either alone or together with landowners, other Metro staff, or consultants (e.g., surveyors, landscape architects or environmental professionals).
• Maintain updated knowledge of legal requirements, regulations and bills that impact Metro's parks and nature Real Estate work.
• Coordinate with legal staff to conduct due diligence processes prior to closing.
• Coordinate between planning and design staff and local agency partners to identify desired trail easement areas based onsite constraints.
• Work regularly with administrative, legal, and technical staff, committees, contractors, and consultants to facilitate natural area or trail acquisition or further department goals; may develop or lead cross-disciplinary work teams on special projects.
• Coordinate and/or develop agreements with external partners (e.g., local jurisdictions, planning agencies, transportation departments, non-governmental partners and other park and trail providers) to facilitate park, natural area, and trail acquisition.
• Provide support, research and materials for committees that advise or oversee Metro's work; prepare complex reports and present results or analyses to colleagues, Metro Council, committees, boards or other government agencies or their staff.
• May provide advice and guidance to other agency staff regarding Real Estate processes and procedures as well as negotiation strategy.
• Act as an engaged member of the Parks and Nature department in support of the mission and vision; perform other duties as assigned.

Attributes for success:

• Knowledge of systemic racism, government's role in creating and upholding systems of oppression, and history of systemic racism within the conservation movement and land use planning.
• Knowledge of and experience applying the theories, principles, practices, and techniques of Real Estate negotiation.
• Knowledge of the Portland metro Real Estate market dynamics and trends.
• Experience engaging with diverse community members, building consensus, and resolving conflict.
• Experience structuring and negotiating Real Estate purchase and sale agreements, particularly for habitat conservation, parks and/or trail acquisition.
• Knowledge of real property law and government land acquisition policies and procedures, including local land use regulatory frameworks and capital project development processes.
• Ability to combine sound business sense and commitment to public open spaces, parks, and active transportation.
• Excellent negotiation, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and work on complex Real Estate transactions with moderate level of supervision.
• Passionate about providing superior public service in a team environment.
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills.

Diversity and inclusion: At Metro, we're committed to hiring a workforce representative of the communities we serve, recognizing that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We invest in employees by supporting equitable and inclusive hiring practices, employee policies and training programs.
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.
Minimum qualifications: Senior Real Estate Specialist

• Bachelor's degree in applicable area of study; AND
• Four years of experience in a similar position; OR
• We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• The ability to pass State of Oregon broker license exam within one year of hire.

Minimum qualifications: Associate Real Estate Specialist

• Bachelor's degree in applicable area of study; AND
• Three years of experience in a similar position; OR
• We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• The ability to pass State of Oregon broker license exam within one year of hire.

Required:
The candidate selected for the position will need to pass a Driving Record check prior to being hired. Speeding tickets do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Working Conditions: Duties are performed in an office environment and in the field. Work is expected to be performed with a mixture of telecommuting and on-site hours. The position frequently requires travel throughout the Metro region to off-site locations, often walking on uneven or rough terrain and ability to spend extended time outside in all weather conditions. This position requires talking in person and over the phone, sitting, repetitive motions of the hands/wrists, and good general hearing and vision ability.
Working environment: The Parks and Nature Department supports a flexible, hybrid work environment. Some in person work time may be required and office workspace is always available. Residency in Oregon or Washington is a requirement for employment.
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply: If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
Like to have qualifications:
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Direct experience in property acquisition for public benefit (public agency, land trust or other non-profit).
• Direct experience advancing racial equity within a government agency, non-profit or other organization.
• Work or project experience or demonstrated knowledge of principles of park and trail planning, land conservation and/or ecology.

COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATION
Based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements, Metro's internal equity review process, and the candidates' qualifications, the appointment for the:

• Senior Real Estate Specialist will typically be made between step 1 $84,739.20 to the equity range step 4 $98,092.80. The full-salary range for this position is step 1 $84,739.20 to step 7 $113,568.00 annually.
• The Associate Real Estate Specialist will typically be made between step 1 $76,814.40 to the equity range step 4 $88,982.40. The full-salary range for this position is step 1 $76,814.40 to step 7 $103,001.60.

Both positions are not eligible for overtime and are represented by AFSCME 3580. The Senior Real Estate Specialist is classified as a Program Manager. The Associate Real Estate Specialist is classified as a Program Coordinator II. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.

Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.
Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process.
Pay equity at Metro: Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): Unless otherwise stated in a collective bargaining agreement, Metro pays both the employee and employer portion of PERS contributions for eligible employees.
Veterans' preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process. Employment Type: Full Time