Senior Property Rights Specialist

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

Senior Property Rights Specialist

Job Function Summary

Manages company real property portfolio; responds to company, jurisdictional and customer inquiries regarding real property; acquires all real property interests and permits necessary for company operations; disposes of all real property interests designated for sale/disposition/release; maintains compliance of company real property interests with applicable land use processes and permits; and conducts appropriate due diligence with respect to all company projects (including IRP and RFP processes) which include a real property component and advise upper management accordingly.

Key Job Information

Senior Property Services Specialist

Grade 8, Career Level: P4 - Specialist

• Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise.
• Interprets internal or external business issues and recommends best practices.
• Solves complex problems; takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions.
• Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations.
• May lead functional teams or projects.

Key Responsibilities

Real Property Acquisition and Disposition Prioritizes workflow for team. Completes complex and commonly occurring financial feasibility studies; recommends acquisitions based on valuation, constraints, land use classification, permitting and potential of site to meet operational needs and future growth; determines compensation for real property at fair market value or establishes compensation rates; negotiates and acquires properties, easements, rights of way, permits, licenses and consent agreements, ensuring highest benefit to the company; sells real estate and grants easements as required; tracks, manages data for and reports on transactions; ensures project stakeholders and members are fully informed about property acquisitions and dispositions. Serves as a subject matter expert to the team.

Permits Oversees permitting process for difficult or complex permits. Obtains local, county, federal, state and other agency permits; identifies and informs company of risks, timelines and requirements for permitting company facilities; reviews and participates in preparing agreements, permits, applications for use, conditional-use permits and other similar documents; provides technical guidance regarding appropriate courses of action related to permitting.

Property Rights Concerns and Disputes Responds to complex or escalated property rights concerns and requests from external customers or indirectly through executives; participates in investigating, resolving and managing disputes resulting from property trespass, encroachments and damage claims. Maintains communication with internal clients.

Contract Negotiation, Coordination and Review Leads contract negotiations that meet regulatory requirements; coordinates survey, mapping, appraisal and other Property Services contract work; reviews surveys and ownership information for accuracy and adherence to scope of work.

Research and Analysis Leads in-depth research from title reports, GIS, surveys, appraisals and other sources; identifies land-right issues to inform route selection for transmission and distribution facilities; accomplishes zoning analysis, title review and property valuation. Creates and negotiates easements and other agreements in situations for which precedent may not exist; prepares plats and writes legal descriptions. Develops and maintains internal and external relationships to facilitate negotiations.

GIS Maintains geospatial data for company’s current and historical property records. May develop exhibits, maps, analyses of geospatial data and reports; may troubleshoot geospatial data management systems; actively seeks knowledge of trends and developments in the GIS field and analyze application to company needs.

External Communication Builds and maintains key relationships with outside entities. May represent the company in public meetings/hearings pertaining to property rights and real estate transactions to protect the corporate interest and obtain necessary approvals.

Education/Experience/Certifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in real estate, business, finance, law or other related field or equivalent experience. Advanced Degree or J.D. is preferred.
• Typically, ten or more years in commercial real estate or related field.
• Requires a valid driver's license and a history of safe driving practices.

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities)

Functional Competencies

• Intermediate knowledge of real estate laws, regulations, rules, principles, practices and markets.
• Advanced knowledge of contracting rules, regulations and procedures.
• Advanced skills in reading/interpreting property legal descriptions, plat maps, title reports and appraisal reports.
• Advanced skill in estimating the value of property.
• Intermediate skills in using department systems. (e.g., GIS, document management)
• Intermediate knowledge of environmental laws, regulations, procedures and processes.
• Intermediate knowledge of the electrical utility industry.

General Competencies

• Advanced analytical thinking skills.
• Advanced conflict management skills.
• Advanced decision-making skills.
• Advanced influence skills.
• Advanced interpersonal skills.
• Advanced negotiation skills.
• Advanced organization and prioritization skills.
• Advanced project management skills.
• Intermediate written and oral communication skills.

Physical and Cognitive Demands

Cognitive Level Substantial: Consistent use of logic or scientific thinking to define problems, collect information, establish facts and draw valid conclusions (for example, engineer, HR director, plant manager, etc.).

• Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks.
• Ability to follow accuracy standards.
• Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks.
• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress.
• Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change.
• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback.
• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement.
• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks.
• Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization Demonstrates sound memory.
• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks.

Schedule/Attendance

• Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule.
• Ability to work long hours.
• Ability to work a variable schedule.
• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather.
• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance.
• Ability to work shift schedule.
• Ability to work on-call schedule.

Physical Capabilities

• Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory - Frequently (at least once a week or more)
• Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)
• Unstable surfaces requiring balance: (i.e., moving equipment, boats)
  • Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces)

Environment - Indoor/Outdoor

• Office
• Plant
• Field

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Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here.

Join us today and power your potential!

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PGE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Recruiter associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting talentacquisition@pgn.com or by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process. 

To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date.  Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.