Summary
This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), in Real Property Field Services (TERR), Real Property Services (TER), Engineering and Technical Services (TE), Transmission Services (T).
As a Realty Specialist, you'll be at the forefront of powering the Pacific Northwest. You will manage diverse real estate transactions, from acquisition to landowner negotiation, ensuring the integrity and expansion of our region's vital energy infrastructure.
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Duties
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Powering the Future: Secure the Land that Lights Up the Northwest
Join the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a leader in providing reliable, affordable, and clean energy to the Pacific Northwest. We're seeking a driven Realty Specialist to acquire and manage the real estate interests that are foundational to our critical mission. This isn't just a job; it's a chance to have a tangible impact on the region's economic prosperity and environmental sustainability by securing the path for the energy grid.
As a Realty Specialist, you will be at the center of complex and meaningful projects. Your key responsibilities will include:
- Leading Negotiations: Personally conduct and direct complex negotiations with landowners, corporations, and government agencies to acquire essential land rights (such as easements and permits) for vital BPA programs.
- Valuation and Compensation: Determine fair market value and compensation for property rights, including preparing estimates for damages and overseeing appraisals to ensure equitable agreements.
- Strategic Project Management: Serve as the primary real estate expert and liaison for a wide range of construction projects, skillfully resolving conflicts between internal teams and external landowners to keep projects on schedule.
- Policy and Conflict Resolution: Interpret and apply real estate policies to resolve issues like property encroachments and disputes, coordinating with legal and engineering teams to protect government assets.
- Tribal and Wireless Program Support: Serve as the lead real estate advisor for unique and sensitive projects, including those involving Tribal lands and the expansion of BPA's wireless communications network.
- Community and Public Engagement: Represent BPA in public forums, answering complex real estate questions and building consensus to gain support for projects that keep the region's power supply safe and reliable.
- Title Analysis and Risk Mitigation: Analyze complex title policies to identify and resolve issues, negotiating with multiple parties to clear financial liens and other encumbrances to minimize government risk.
- Disposal of Real Property: Manage the entire process for selling or leasing BPA-owned property and rights, from determining the marketing method to negotiating conditions and collecting payments.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration
When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.
Key Requirements:
- You must be a United States Citizen.
- This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
- Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
- You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.
Conditions of Employment:
- This position requires a valid driver's license as a condition of employment.
- This position has been designated as requiring a PUBLIC TRUST background. A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
- The incumbent reports to the Supervisor for Real Property Field Services but is physically located in the Region the position is located.
- The incumbent is required to travel by air, land and water.
- The incumbent is required to travel (day, overnight, and extended overnight).
Qualifications
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
GS-09: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-07] in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: 1) assisting with real estate transactions, such as the acquisition of land or property rights; 2) performing routine real estate support duties, including courthouse research for ownership and land rights information; and 3) helping to ensure landowners comply with the terms and conditions of real estate agreements.
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:
- Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a LL.B. or J.D. if related; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
- Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited). One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours the graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If the graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study is not available, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is used. When crediting education that requires specific course work the number of hours of related courses required, as a proportion of the total education, is prorated.
GS-11: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-09] in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: 1) performing a variety of real estate services, including negotiating the acquisition of property and land rights such as easements or leases; 2) analyzing title documents to resolve routine encumbrances and preparing documents for real estate transactions; and 3) conducting market research to prepare informal estimates of property value for acquisition or disposal purposes.
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:
- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a LL.M., if related; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
- Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited). One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours the graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If the graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study is not available, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is used. When crediting education that requires specific course work the number of hours of related courses required, as a proportion of the total education, is prorated.
"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
If substituting education for specialized experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation.
Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.
Failure to provide college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'.
Additional information
- This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE
EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center | Equal employment opportunity policy
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement. USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy
Reasonable Accommodation for USAHire: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
Veterans Information: USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans
Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Telework: https://www.opm.gov/telework/
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ - Who must register: https://www.sss.gov/faq/#who-needs-to-register
Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment.
We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
