Senior Real Estate Agent

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is seeking a Senior Real Estate Agent for its Finance, Budget & Real Estate Division in San Jose, CA. The role involves supporting rail and highway capital projects, particularly the BART extension to Santa Clara County. Candidates should have at least five years of right-of-way acquisition experience. The job offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
Salary

$151,715.20 - $184,436.20 Annually

Location

CA 95134-1927, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

1290-Feb2024-AF-E-MF

Department

Finance, Budget & Real Estate

Division

Real Estate & Joint Development

Opening Date

02/06/2025

Closing Date

3/14/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description

VTA’s Finance, Budget, & Real Estate Division is looking for an experienced Senior Real Estate Agent in right-of-way to join our team in supporting VTA’s many active rail and highway capital projects. This role is pivotal in helping VTA bring BART to Santa Clara County, enhancing light-rail service, and reducing congestion on key highways across the County. Apply Now!

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have at least five years of right-of-way acquisition experience as an employee or consultant to a public agency. The candidate will have acquired right-of-way for a variety of capital projects and will be familiar with the processes and nuances under federal/state/local agency rules. Experience with Caltrans is preferred. Remote flexibility available.

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused, innovative, and environmentally responsible transportation options promoting the region's vitality. VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services and participates as a funding partner in regional rail services, including Caltrain, Capital Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

To learn more, go to: vta.org

About the Division
VTA's Office of Real Estate & Transit-Oriented Development leads the agency's work in property acquisition for transportation projects, with over $400 million in property acquisition currently in progress for VTA's BART Silicon Valley Extension Phase II, Eastridge to BART Regional Connector light rail, and a range of transportation projects funded by 2016 County Measure B. The Office also creates new mixed-use and mixed-income Transit-Oriented Developments (TOD) on VTA sites and manages VTA assets including advertising & sponsorships for transit stations and vehicles, paid parking at Silicon Valley BART stations, and over 80 leases and use agreements for VTA property – generating significant revenue for the agency. VTA’s full portfolio of sites for TOD comprises more than 200 acres in Santa Clara County, adjacent to 20+ VTA transit stations across San José, Campbell, Gilroy, Morgan Hill and other local jurisdictions. Through public-private partnerships to date, nearly 450 mixed-income and affordable housing units have been constructed, and 1,600+ more are in preconstruction or predevelopment. Additionally, the Office manages VTA’s Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Program developing larger, equitable and sustainable environments around stations beyond VTA-owned sites and in collaboration with local agencies and community.

Our Community

Santa Clara County, sometimes referred to as “Silicon Valley”, is unique for its innovation, natural attractions, and social diversity. With numerous amenities and perfect weather, it has long been considered one of the best places in the United States to live and work. calendar of festivals and celebrations supports the community spirit. Nearby open space provides easy access to mountain parks, trails, lakes, streams, and beautiful coastal beaches. San José has received accolades for its vibrant neighborhoods, healthy lifestyle, and diverse attractions from national media, including Business Week and Money magazines.

The county’s population of 1.9 million is the largest in Northern California and is rich in ethnic culture and diversity. Enjoy access and the option to explore our closely neighboring counties of San Francisco and Alameda.

Definition

Under direction, the Senior Real Estate Agent plans, organizes, supervises, and integrates the work of assigned staff and consultants engaged in acquiring, appraising, managing, leasing or disposing of real property and rights-of-way and/or planning, offering, negotiating, and managing VTA's joint development projects and associated agreements, and performs related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Senior Real Estate Agent is the first line supervisory classification in the Real Estate job series. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising staff engaged in all aspects of VTA real estate transactions and agreements, and for performing the more difficult and complex duties. Senior Real Estate Agent is distinguished from Manager, Real Estate & Project Administration in that the latter has full managerial responsibility for the entire real property program for VTA.
Remote flexibility available
Classification Bargaining Unit: AFSCME

Please be aware that this position will close promptly on 3/14/2025, at 11:59pm. Thereafter, applications will be reviewed in groups of 25. This process will continue in successive increments of 25 until a qualified candidate is selected and the position is filled

Essential Job Functions

Typical Tasks
Not all positions perform all duties and not all duties performed are listed. Duties performed vary depending on the area of assignment.
• Selects, supervises, trains, motivates, assigns, evaluates, counsels, and disciplines staff;
• With assigned staff and consultants, develops, implements, and monitors plans, goals and objectives to ensure that designated property appraisal, acquisition, management, sales, relocation projects, and joint development functions are accomplished in accordance with adopted schedules and budgets;
• Supervises and performs work related to major joint development planning projects that encompass residential, commercial, and other types of real estate development;
• Conducts and/or participates in complex planning and rezoning approvals, competitive offerings for long-term leases, difficult appraisals, negotiations, relocation assistance, and property sale or disposition functions;
• Performs detailed, complex research, analyses, and determinations;
• Develops work plans, schedules, and budget estimates for joint development studies and projects and oversees their execution;
• Prepares and presents information to the public, boards, committees, and community groups;
• Reviews, evaluates, and approves architectural, planning, engineering, environmental, financial, and real estate appraisal work product produced by consultants;
• Provides attorneys with market appraisals and other data for use in property settlements and condemnation litigation;
• Plans, directs, negotiates, administers and/or participates in the development, negotiation and administration of consultant contracts;
• Reviews, recommends, and administers Real Estate Department policies and procedures;
• May perform budget preparation and review;
• Reviews, evaluates, and approves appraisals and amounts for negotiation and settlement in accordance with VTA policies and procedures;
• Ensures compliance with VTA policies and procedures regarding equal opportunity and discrimination and harassment prevention;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Employment Standards

Sufficient training, education, and experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge and abilities.

Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, finance, real estate, or a related field; and five years of increasingly responsible experience in the appraisal, acquisition, relocation, design, financing, construction, and/or management of real property, with at least two years in a project lead or supervisory capacity.

Experience in acquisition of property for public use or experience with public-private development on public property is desirable.

Interested applicants may only meet some of the requirements. We encourage applications from any person who believes they can thrive and grow within VTA.
While we’re welcoming to a variety of different candidates, this position could be an excellent role for a number of different profiles, including those who:
• Want to be team players with strong interpersonal skills, working within the community and VTA to help elevate and integrate equitable transit initiatives throughout our work
• Are passionate, adaptable, and innovative team players who want to learn and contribute to the development of a visionary transit network through an equity lens
• Are interested in collaborative and impactful, transformative change; working with supportive diverse teams to help grow our service and lead our region.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of:
• Concepts, methods and techniques for appraising property and establishing market value, current market conditions, and land sales;
• Principles and practices of planning, development, and management of large-scale mixed-use real estate development projects in complex urban settings;
• Methods and techniques for property recordation and property record search;
• Federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to land and easement acquisition by public agencies, including condemnation and eminent domain proceedings and vacation and relinquishment law;
• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to planning, design, construction, financing, and operation of real estate development projects;
• Basic principles and practices of property and contract law, including preparation of detailed legal descriptions;
• Basic terminology, methods, and practices of engineering design, architecture, land use planning, land surveying, mapping, construction processes, real estate finance, and relocation;
• Principles and practices of communication and engagement with diverse stakeholders;
• Principles and practices of effective good faith negotiations;
• Principles and practices of effective supervision, training, employee development, motivation, discipline, and management.

Ability to:
• Analyze technical data and legal requirements, evaluate alternatives, and make sound, timely recommendations within established guidelines;
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to real estate responsibilities;
• Perform sound property appraisals that require the application of complex valuation considerations;
• Estimate and manage budgets and schedules for planning studies and projects;
• Read and interpret plans, maps, engineering drawings, and sketches;
• Prepare clear, concise, comprehensive, and legally sound documents and reports;
• Exercise sound independent professional judgment within established guidelines;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Negotiate effectively and persuasively on behalf of VTA to meet tight acquisition or project deadlines and legal, regulatory, and budget constraints;
• Use tact, discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and parties;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, staff, consultants, other governmental agencies and their representatives, property owners, tenants, and others encountered in the course of work.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
Possession of a valid Class C driver's license issued by the State of California.

What’s in it for You?

Work/Life Balance: 40-hour work weeks, and a option of a flexible/hybrid remote schedule.

Health: VTA participates in a CalPERS-sponsored medical plan with VTA contribution to employee and dependent premium health insurance premiums. Employees pay a monthly contribution of any amount in excess of the Kaiser Bay Area Family rate.

Flex Spending Account: $300 employer-funded Health FSA for eligible employees

Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents

Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents

Leave: 17 days of vacation (accrued), 80 Hours of sick time (accrued), 12 paid holidays per year, and 1 floating holiday per year.

Retirement:
• Participation in CalPERS
• Classic Members: 2%@55
• PEPRA Members: 2%@62
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (voluntary)
• 457 pre-tax
• 457 Roth
• Self-directed brokerage account option for qualifying employees
• Retiree medical coverage for eligible employees with VTA contributions to the retiree’s medical premium

Additional perks:
• All active full-time employees and their eligible dependents are eligible for transit passes for use over VTA lines, including VTA Paratransit services.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to each employee, eligible dependent, and household member, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Development Fund
• Wellness Programs

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward

VTA offers a generous benefit package including: vision care, a choice of health plans, dental coverage, an employee assistance program, life insurance, and liberal holiday, vacation, and sick leave. A credit union and deferred compensation are also available to employees at their option. Detailed information on VTA's benefits may be found here: https://www.vta.org/about/careers/benefits

As defined by the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA):
• Classic Members' retirement benefit formula is 2% @55.
• New Members' retirement benefit formula is 2% @62.

All Classic AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non-Rep employees hired on or after 01/09/2012 pay 7.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

All New/PEPRA AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non-Rep employees pay 8.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

Social Security taxes will be deducted from each employee's bi-weekly salary.

Employer

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Address

3331 North First Street, Bldg. B-1

San Jose, California, 95143

Phone

4083215504

Website

http://www.vta.org