The City of Tacoma is establishing a list for the Real Estate Specialist classification. This list will be used for a period of one year to fill vacancies in this classification. Real Estate Specialists provide support to Real Estate Officers and Senior Real Estate Specialists in acquisition, disposition and management of the City's real properties, rights of way and utility corridors. Duties include researching property ownership records and documents, recording transaction documents and plats, setting up and maintaining real property files, entering and maintaining data in an electronic real estate database, and mapping property rights. Work also entails other general duties including drafting correspondence, reports, and spreadsheets using Microsoft Office software; using the City's GIS systems. The Real Estate Specialist will also assist the Environmental Services Department with its in-lieu assessment program by handling all in-lieu assessment related inquires, permit reviews, calculation requests, databases, and maps.
 
If the below list of personal traits sounds like you, then you are just the type of person we are searching for to join our team! 

• Outgoing, positive personality who enjoys managing technical, administrative details in support of real estate transactions.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong personal motivation and drive – a disciplined and committed self-starter.
• Detail-oriented with follow-through.
• Strong commitment to creating and maintaining an equitable, anti-racist environment within both the Organization and the Community.

Essential Duties:

• Maintain files of real property ownerships; prepare liens and foreclosures as directed.
• Review, calculate, map and finalize in-lieu assessments due to the City.
• Maintain ownership records of real property belonging to City of Tacoma; maintain accurate real property maps of real estate transactions; review deeds, judgments and easements for accurate description of property; and ascertain the necessary supporting documents and data.
• Prepare maps of real property and easements; identify, number and index instruments of conveyances; assure that deeds and easements are appropriately drawn and recorded; file instruments according to standard filing system.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of manual and electronic files, records and reports as required such as easements, permits, deeds, franchises, records of petitions, and in-lieu-of assessments on sanitary sewers and other related documents.
• Contact a variety of City personnel and outside agencies such as banks, realtors and escrow companies and others to provide and receive information; assist the public in understanding all types of real estate issues including in-lieu assessments and provide other related property right information.
• Perform a variety of clerical duties such as manual and electronic filing, copying and typing of general correspondence.
• Perform similar and incidental duties as required. 

Our Ideal Candidate will have:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with internal and external clients.
• Experience and familiarity with real property title concepts and instruments.
• Knowledge and skill using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for property records research and maintenance.
• Real property / right of way / title experience.
• Skill in a variety of research methods, particularly internet, courthouse and recorded documents.
• Knowledge of database principles and practices.
• Knowledge of survey concepts.

The Principles that Guide Us:
Tacoma, the City of Destiny, has a workforce of dedicated, talented and open-minded employees with unique skills and perspectives.  We embrace innovation and strive for excellence and community engagement in all that we do.  The Principles that Guide Us, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Equity, speak to the values that we embody as City of Tacoma employees, and represent the core of our work in public service.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
Typical office environment and outdoor activities (i.e. property inspections). 

Qualifications

Knowledge & Skills

• Practices, techniques and terminology used in the examination of land titles and descriptions and real estate transactions.
• Procedures related to the acquisition and transfer of real estate.
• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment including computer terminals.
• City organization, operations, policies and objectives.
• Mapping of real property easements and related information.
• Maintain appropriate manual and electronic files of real-property records.
• Prepare statements, foreclosure letters and complex foreclosure worksheets for the legal department.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Calculate size of parcels and rights-of-way accurately to determine the square footage or acreage of City’s real property interests.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Perform basic math calculations.
• Learn to interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Perform duties such as filing, duplicating, keyboarding, scanning and indexing of real estate documents.
• Prepare and maintain records and prepare reports.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

To be considered for this opportunity: 
Interested individuals must complete the online application and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Candidates who are eligible for Veteran's Preference scoring criteria must attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4, (proof of military discharge form) at time of application, to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference, with redacted birth date and social security numbers.

Examination Process: 
This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated on the basis of education, certifications, professional license and related experience.  Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have Supplemental Questions #6-11 scored as the Experience and Training Test for this position.  It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers.  DO NOT respond with "see resume" in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a failing score.  

Candidates who obtain a passing score on the Experience and Training test will be placed on an eligible list for hiring consideration for a period of one year. Any vacancy that comes up within the one year period of time will draw from candidates on the eligible list for potential interview and hiring consideration. 

This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Local 17 PTE. Appointment is subject to passing a pre-employment background and references check. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification. 


WHY WORK FOR THE CITY?

The City of Tacoma offers a generous program of employee benefits

• Outstanding working conditions and an exceptional quality-of-life environment.
• Medical coverage for eligible employees, spouses and dependents, including children up to age 26.
• Vision care with VSP for employees and eligible dependents enrolled in the Regence PPO medical plan with vision benefits.
• Dental coverage for eligible employees and their elected dependents, including dependent children up to the age of 26.
• Deferred compensation allowing tax-deferred savings as authorized under Section 457 of the IRS Code.
• Personal time off.
• Paid holidays.
• A great pension plan.
  
  

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress.  One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play. 

Our City:
With a population over 210,000, Tacoma is the second largest city in the Puget Sound region, gracing the shores of Commencement Bay. We are a diverse, progressive, international city that serves as a gateway to the Pacific Rim and the rest of the world.  Named one of the most livable areas in the country by Livability.com, Tacoma and the surrounding area is a playground for outdoor and maritime enthusiasts.  Our businesses are vibrant, our parks are beautiful, and our schools are exceptional.

When you work for the City of Tacoma you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work/life balance, the potential for flexible work schedules (with some job classifications), continuing education programs, leadership pathways, wellness incentives and a total rewards benefits program. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny: 

http://www.cityoftacoma.org/   
http://www.traveltacoma.com/ 
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/newhires 

The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success.  This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
 

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, please call Human Resources at (253) 591.5400 before 4:00pm of the closing date of the job. announcement 

• Familiarity with right of way laws and federal regulations governing right of way acquisition.
• Experience and working familiarity with GIS systems

About City of Tacoma

Our Mission: The City of Tacoma provides high-quality, innovative and cost-effective municipal services that enhance the lives of its citizens and the quality of Tacoma’s neighborhoods and business districts.

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