Real Estate Specialist

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Real Estate
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $73,515 - $91,894
SALARY RANGE: $73,515 - $114,868/ (grade 108)
LOCATION: Western Service Center, Apple Valley
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 pm on Monday, July 6, 2026

What You'll Do
The Real Estate Specialist is responsible for performing a wide variety of duties related to acquiring right of way for County purposes, including transportation, greenways, parks, and conservation. The Specialists work closely with landowners, County staff and project partners to complete the acquisition process, including: acquisition needs easements and types, determining the value of property interests, conducting negotiations, preparing and finalizing documents, coordinating and completing closings, and filing necessary documents.

Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

* Bachelor's Degree AND two (2) years of experience in real property acquisition and appraisals.
OR
* Associate's Degree or Paralegal Certificate AND four (4) years of experience in real property acquisition and appraisals.
OR
* An equivalent combination of education and direct work experience in real property acquisition and appraisals totaling six (6) years.
AND
* Valid driver's license

Preferred license(s) beyond minimum qualifications
* Notary Public Commission
* Certification by the International Right of Way Association (IRWA)
* Completed degree in business administration, economics, education, engineering, finance, geography, planning, public administration, real estate, or appraisals.
* Experience with transportation right-of-way acquisition for a government agency.

The following examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification.

1. Prepare real estate-related information for County staff, utility companies, real estate agents/brokers, general public, other governmental entities, and organizations as requested.
2. Works with interdisciplinary teams as properties are identified for County acquisition to provide real estate-related information and maintains communications with property owners; relevant County staff, project partners, and other entities throughout the acquisition process.
3. Develop and distribute Requests for Proposal for appraisals and appraisal reviews, selects contractor and provides a wide variety of information needed to complete the reports to determine real estate value and options.
4. Facilitate necessary due diligence, including by obtaining and reviewing, Preliminary Title Commitments, Mortgage Consents/Releases, and Environmental Assessments, etc.
5. Serve as the primary County contact in negotiations and providing offers and settlements to property owners when acquiring right of way.
6. Coordinates with the County Attorney's Office to provide required information and serve as an expert in Eminent Domain proceedings.
7. Coordinate the drafting and execution of forms, agreements and other required documents with terms acceptable to the property owner, County, project partners, funding entities, closing company, and other associated parties.
8. Coordinate real estate closings with all parties and ensuring all appropriate documents are filed in a timely and accurate manner.
9. Prepare basic real estate acquisition information needed for County Board action.
10. Provide information and assists in maintaining/updating the County's Real Estate and GIS databases.
11. Complete annual monitoring of County agricultural, buffer, greenway natural area, park, and trail easements.
12. Monitor and negotiate existing County leases and assists in the development of new County leases, as assigned.
13. Performs other acquisition and program-related activities in consultation with or as assigned by the Real Estate Manager, Real Estate Supervisor, Lead Real Estate Specialist and/or Project Managers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Items 1-8 listed above are essential functions of this position.

• General knowledge of current practices and trends in agriculture; commercial, residential and industrial development; natural resources; outdoor recreation; transportation; and water.
• Knowledge about County's Land Conservation Plan, Park and Greenway and Transportation System Plans.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local, laws, policies, regulations, and procedures pertaining to real estate and zoning, as well as laws and sensitivity regarding private property owners.
• Knowledge of federal, state and regional programs and grants and associated with funding requirements.
• Knowledge and ability to read and understand a variety of GIS, legal, planning, and technical documents.
• Knowledge of appraisal methodologies and ability to explain valuation techniques, acquisition needs, laws, and procedures to property owners.
• General knowledge of land surveying, legal descriptions, conservation easements, and Phase I and II Environmental Assessments.
• Knowledge of general contract processes.
• General knowledge of what right of way is and various easement types used to acquire right of way.
• Knowledge of real estate closing processes and document recording.
• Skills in effectively applying this general knowledge to diverse and unique real estate acquisition projects.
• Skills in utilizing and applying technology for increased efficiency.
• Skills in relating to and negotiating with individual property owners to mutually meet their and the County's needs and desired outcomes.
• Ability to meet deadlines and efficiently organize time to complete assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain complex records and prepare detailed reports.
• Ability to employ strong organizational and project/time management skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships and effectively communicate with property owners, co-workers, contractors, partners, public officials, and the general public.
• Ability to employ sound judgment in exercising this discretion, including determination at the appropriate points in which to involve management staff in decision-making.

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time using County equipment

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks