Right of Way

Class code: 003677
Bargaining unit(s): 207
Classification title: Transportation Specialist
Function: Right of Way
Kind of work: Senior level technical and/or specialized work.

Nature & purpose

Under limited supervision, an employee in this class performs difficult technical work associated with right of way pre-acquisition/acquisition and right of way management; and performs related work as required.

This position is different from the Transportation Generalist Senior in that at the Transportation Specialist level, employees plan and organize work based on deadlines, procedures and standards. An employee determines what shall be done and how it will be done and continually improves work processes. At this level, an employee provides technical expertise and information, in a specialized field, to others. An employee resolves most problems using theoretical principles and concepts of a specialized field as well as knowledge of and impact on the department’s programs. An employee is considered the technical expert in a specialized area and provides technical support and expertise to others. An employee is responsible for completing or leading multiple complex projects and/or work activities and has a substantial degree of authority in planning, organizing and completing work. Some employees at this level may perform as lead worker having considerable freedom to organize human, equipment, material, and other resources as well as prioritize, schedule, assign, direct, guide and report on the work activities of other state employees.

Examples of work

A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.

Performs technical activities related to the preparation and completion of right of way packages sufficient to maintain accuracy and project schedule.
Performs technical activities related to reconveyances, turnbacks, leases, limited use permits, and access control changes to ensure compliance with statutes, policies and regulations.
Performs technical activities related to the acquisition of right of way and management of property owned by MnDOT sufficient to enable the project to be let on schedule.
Creates and maintains right of way records/files related to pre and post acquisition activities such that records are up to date and information can be readily retrieved.
Prepares exhibits and related information necessary for eminent domain, hearings or jury trials sufficient to ensure that information is current, exhibits are of high quality and
are completed on time.
Operates GeoPak and Microstation programs related to the preparation, computation, and submittal of right of way packages sufficient to maintain project schedule.
Combines, processes and corrects all electronic files/information in order to produce final right of way
mapping of project history.
Provides assistance and direction to consultants in right of way related activities to ensure information is correct and MnDOT standards are upheld.
Meets and/or communicates with the public and property owners as directed to ensure they have current and correct information regarding MnDOT right of way.
Organizes and researches information for use by field survey crews such that survey crews maintain accuracy, efficiency and effectiveness when performing land and location surveys.
Prepares and/or reviews complex building demolition sheets sufficient to describe amount and type of work required by contractor for inclusion in construction contract.
Conduct field reviews sufficient to prepare right of way non-encroachment certificate or reviews right of way non-encroachment certification.
Notifies maintenance of right of way encroachments for subsequent removal to ensure MnDOT owned right of way is in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Substitutes for Right of Way manager as needed in project meetings and customer service requests.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required to be proficient at the job

Knowledge of:

Right of Way, real estate and land acquisition principles, practices and procedures, and access control principles, practices and procedures sufficient to provide advanced expertise with right of way activities.
Civil engineering technical standards sufficient to effectively provide advanced expertise with right of way activities.
Design standards and planning principles, practices and procedures to effectively provide high-level assistance with right of way activities.
Federal law and statutory requirements, state statutes and regulatory requirements sufficient to provide advanced assistance with right of way activities.
Eminent domain procedures sufficient to provide technical assistance at court hearings.
Working knowledge of English sufficient to read, write, speak and understand oral and written information; communicate with employees and the general public in-person or via two-way radio and other electronic devices; and to maintain routine written logs and simple records.

Skill in:

Use of basic hand tools as demonstrated by using drills, hammers, etc.
Operation of CADD (Microstation) and GeoPak software sufficient to produce right of way layouts, exhibits and final mapping.

Ability to:

Equipment – Handle materials as demonstrated by ordering materials and transporting equipment and supplies; perform routine, scheduled preventive maintenance as demonstrated by coordinating right of way equipment and vehicle maintenance.
Information Technology – Enter data as demonstrated by entry of time into timesheet and information into right of way database program; create and edit data files as demonstrated by originating and editing of files, basic memos or letters, and spreadsheets and Power Point presentations; use CADD (Microstation and GeoPak) software to produce right of way mapping and edit shapes and lines; use EDMS and REALMS to maintain right of way records.
Interpersonal – Work cooperatively with peers as demonstrated by understanding and carrying out verbal instructions and directions within a work group; interact with customers, stakeholders and co-workers as demonstrated by reporting and reviewing work progress; train or mentor others to perform tasks or operate equipment; resolve interpersonal conflicts among work group.
Leadership – Take responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work as demonstrated by completing assigned tasks, reporting work progress, and demonstrating behavior consistent with department direction; lead crews or perform as lead on part of a project; look for opportunities to improve processes; participate in change management processes; contribute to the development and implementation of work plans.
Math – Perform pre-algebra problems, performing operations with monomials sufficient to calculate ratios, proportions, equations and formulas; geometry and trigonometry sufficient to calculate areas, angles and distances.
Oral Communication – Articulate job-related questions in order to fully comprehend work assignment; deliver pre-planned informational presentations to groups; answer questions from the public in one-on-one situations, either in the field or by telephone; participate in open group discussions and debates; serve as panel member in structured discussions; negotiate in order to make or change decisions; articulate and defend proposals to adopt/change a course of action; act as an expert witness.
Problem Solving – Receive, understand and carry out verbal instructions sufficient to complete work assignment; work independently to resolve routine technical, procedural or work team issues.
Reading – Read and understand notes, letters, memos, electronic mail, proposals, department forms and policies, instruction manuals, construction plans, MnDOT manuals and spec books sufficient to facilitate effective job performance. Read and interpret right of way maps sufficient to understand line types, parcel numbers and locations. Read, interpret, and analyze titles and legal descriptions sufficient to locate right of way parcels and property rights information and determine need for additional information.
Written Communication – Write notes, letters, memos, basic reports and proposals, and complete forms; generate technical documents such as special provisions, building demolition plans, and specifications.

Licenses, Certifications:

Some positions may require a driver’s license, as well as endorsements, specific to position demands and/or equipment required to perform the job within the work area posted.

Technical certifications may be required specific to position demands and will be documented on the posting as to the justification of why specific certifications are necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

Include years of experience, education, training, licenses and certifications required at the time of application to be considered eligible for the vacancy. The level of experience to perform this job at the TS level can be achieved with:

Four years of experience performing right of way or related Activities;

Three years of experience performing design, pre-design, survey or right of way activities PLUS a combination of one year of related experience in surveys, design, road maintenance, materials/soils, permits, etc.
Note: A Two year Civil or Construction Technology Degree or the following four year degrees: Architectural, Civil or Mechanical Engineering; Land Surveying / Geomatics; or equivalent may substitute for one year of experience. (In order for education coursework to be considered in lieu of work experience you must submit a copy of your transcripts).
Working knowledge of English sufficient to read, write, speak and understand oral and written information; communicate with employees and the general public in-person or via two-way radio and other electronic devices; and to maintain routine written logs and simple records.
Field positions require a Class D driver’s license.

Physical capabilities and environmental work conditions:

Requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes and heavy hand tools or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. A job in this category may require a significant degree of walking and/or standing on uneven ground or may involve sitting most of the time with a degree of pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls.

Weather elements:

May require frequent exposure to weather elements (both hot and cold) on a daily basis.

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