Job Description / Duties

Project Manager
Salary $56,055.99 to $64,052.10 annually

Lead the way and showcase your real estate negotiation skills in a fast-paced project management role

Within the Forest Tenures Branch (FTB) the Forest Land Acquisitions Group provides provincial administration of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operation’s property and right- of-way acquisition, real estate operations, and property management and support including lease negotiation and administration.

The Project Manager represents the Ministry’s interests in real estate procurement and provides a broad range of professional real estate advice and expertise to government staff and external stakeholders. Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, the Project Manager provides technical expertise on matters relating to the acquisition, leasing, expropriation and negotiating of land agreements. Utilising your thorough knowledge of financial and administrative practices related to project management, you draft and develop project plans to identify timelines, deliverables, methodologies and resource requirements. Your advanced research, analysis and problem-solving skills are key to this role as you research, investigate and analyze information concerning properties, identify and define obstacles, assess risks and develop strategies to overcome them. If you are a real estate specialist experienced in project management and seeking an exciting new career, consider this opportunity.

An eligibility list will be established. Applicants with less than the above noted qualifications are encouraged to submit an application, as lesser qualified applicants may be appointed at a lower level.

HOW TO APPLY:

Do not submit a cover letter with your application as it will not be reviewed. Please ensure your resume has all the information applicable to this competition.

For complete details on this opportunity, please review the attached job profile. Applications may be considered for other similar current and future vacancies, including permanent and/or temporary positions in various locations. A criminal record check will be required.

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XOnly applications submitted using the BC Public Service Recruitment System on this website will be accepted.

I certify that all information submitted is true, complete and correct. I understand that any information provided by me in my application, any assessment documents or processes and/or an interview that is found to be false or misrepresented in any respect, may eliminate me from further consideration for employment or may result in my dismissal.


Qualifications:

In order for applicants to be considered for this position, their resume must clearly demonstrate that they have the following:

- Degree in a natural resources field, urban land economics, project management or business administration and 5 years related experience; OR Diploma in a natural resources field, urban land economics, project management or business administration and 7 years related experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

- Professional real estate designation: AACI, RI(BC), SRWA or their equivalent.

- Experience interpreting and working with Provincial and Federal statutes and policies related to land and instruments associated to land transfer, disposition and expropriation.

- Experience negotiating real property transactions and associated legal contracts with clients or their representatives

Within the Forest Tenures Branch (FTB) the Forest Land Acquisition section provides exclusive, centralized provincial administration of the Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations’ property and right- of-way acquisition, real estate operations, and property management and support including lease negotiation and administration.

Qualifications / Required Skills

The Project Manager attends to the Ministry’s interests in real estate procurement by participating in corporate strategic planning; conducting appraisal/value assessments; negotiating land acquisition, lease arrangements and/or expropriation with property owners or their representatives; and providing a broad scope of professional real estate advice and expertise to government staff and external stakeholders.
Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, Forest Land Acquisition, the Project Manager is the Ministry technical expert on matters relating to the acquisition, leasing, expropriation, and negotiating of land agreements. This involves developing policies regarding the payment of compensation, providing recommendations for policy revisions, developing the communication strategy for all real estate projects, and making direct contact with stakeholders when expropriating or purchasing land. The Project Manager may be required to assume the responsibilities and authority of the Senior Project Manager, Forest Land Acquisition during extended absences.
50% Project leadership and project management:
• Developing terms of reference to define the scope of projects/project components;
• Drafting project plans to identify timelines, deliverables, methodologies and resource requirements;
• Developing the communication strategy for each project;
• Managing and co-ordinating the activities of resources to ensure critical timelines and milestones are met;
• Leading and managing project teams, as required, to complete project requirements;
• Managing, co-ordinating and directing each component of a project and assigning time and work within defined parameters;
• Preparing strategies, plans, budgets and recommendations to Ministry managers or executive on assigned projects
• Providing status reports and updates to the Executive, and other interested parties, as required;
• Identifying and defining obstacles, assessing risks and developing strategies to overcome them;
• Liaising with stakeholders, colleagues and contacts as required to complete project elements;
• Monitoring contract performance, certify receipt of deliverables;
• Evaluating project processes and progress, and developing recommendations;
• Conducting presentations to various internal / external audiences as required;
• Delivering completed projects/project components within pre-defined criteria, to the satisfaction of the key stakeholders;
30% Negotiation of real estate procurements including leases, expropriation, acquisition and right-of-way agreements:
• Developing policies regarding the payment of compensation to landowners;
• Recommending policy revisions as a result of changes to legislation, zoning bylaws, market values etc.;
• Drafting legal documents for registration at the land title office;
• Developing strategies and work plans to ensure a comprehensive approach to real estate negotiation and procurement, addressing all pertinent issues, risks, and contingencies;
• Preparing and delivering progress reports and presentations for regional and headquarters management and executive;
• Researching, investigating, and analyzing information and circumstances concerning the property to be acquired, for example, title searches, ownership and encumbrances, assessed land improvement value, property taxes;
• Conducting in-depth historical research on properties by way of Crown Grants documentation and other historical records on an as required basis;
• Using a variety of appraisal approaches (e.g., market value, cost approach, income approach, development approach), conducts and prepares property appraisals, reviewing local authority zoning bylaws and changes, Official Community Plans, and other factors pertinent to the value of the subject property;
• Reviewing and analyzing all factors that may influence the negotiating positions of the property owner or their representatives and surrounding residents, and potentially impede the success of the negotiation process (e.g., public interest, environmental hazards, toxic wastes) and develops strategic negotiating approaches;
• As an official government representative, negotiating with property owners for the acquisition of property and/or rights-of-way and committing the Province to negotiated property purchases and/ or lease agreements;
• Meeting with Local Government, First Nations, Special Interest Groups, and any other stakeholder to review, clarify, and solve any issues or extraordinary circumstances in respect to all matters relating to the purchase or occupation of land;
• Developing and composing final/draft documents including leases, licence of occupations, letters of offer, temporary access agreements and right of way agreements, each containing legally-binding terms and conditions that are specific to project issues;
• Consulting with and advising specialized professionals such as legal counsel, accredited real estate appraisers, qualified land surveyors, engineers and professional foresters regarding ministry policy, operational procedure, statutory issues, market environment and physical project settings;
• Coordinating all aspects of expropriation proceedings including: determining when negotiations will not be successful; analyzing circumstances and estimating reasonable compensation; negotiating resolution to outstanding claims; providing
providing expert witness testimony on examination for discovery to Expropriation Compensation Board; preparing executive briefing notes and related documentation

20% Provides expert advice, guidance and information:
• Communicating expert professional and technical advice and making recommendations to Ministry management and executive regarding real estate procurement projects. Recommendations frequently have significant financial impacts to the Ministry and to public/private entities
• Advising and interpreting policy, procedures and practices regarding land transfers, contract law, legal documentation, and procurement approaches as they relate to property negotiation, acquisition, leasing and expropriation

Additional Information

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Degree in a natural resources field, urban land economics, project management or business administration and 5 years related experience; OR
• Diploma in a natural resources field, urban land economics, project management or business administration and 7 years related experience;
• Professional real estate designation: AACI, RI(BC), SRWA or their equivalent
• Experience conducting real estate acquisition, expropriation, disposition and negotiation in the Province of British Columbia
• Experience interpreting and working with Provincial and Federal statutes and policies related to land and instruments associated to land transfer, disposition and expropriation;
• Experience critiquing and reviewing submitted real estate appraisals or estimates of real property values for use in the negotiation process
• Experience completing appraisals estimating market values of property interests for use by Ministry personnel and for use in the negotiation process
• Experience directing, managing and coordinating human and material resources through the process of land disposition, acquisition, or expropriation;
• Experience negotiating real property transactions and associated legal contracts with clients or their representatives;
• Experience selecting, administering and managing contracts including selecting and engaging a variety of professional and technical consultants or contractors to provide services;
• Experience applying analytical and quantitative methods to real estate markets
• Project Management experience;
• Contract Management experience;
• Valid BC Driver’s Licence
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices which characterize the real estate industry;
• Thorough knowledge of financial and administrative practices related to project management;
• Thorough knowledge of real estate activities including assessment, appraisal, survey, engineering, rezoning, and negotiation;
• Sound knowledge of economic, legal and financial principles which affect real estate markets;
• Sound knowledge of project management techniques, theories and practices;
• Working knowledge of management principles and practices;
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations including the Forest Act, Ministry of Forest Act, Forest and Range Practices Act, Land Act, Land Title Act, and Expropriation Act, Transportation Act;
• Superior written and oral communication skills; presentation skills and interpersonal skills;
• Superior project management and coordination skills;
• Superior negotiation, problem solving and conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrated team player with seasoned leadership and management skills;
• Ability to utilize innovative research and analysis skills to keep abreast of change in the Real Estate industry;
• Ability to manage and deliver complex, concurrent projects to successful completion within time and budgetary confines;
• Ability to read and interpret engineering/survey plans (such as road layout/structural design, road dedication or subdivision plans)
• Ability to use software applications such as MS-Word, MS-Excel and MS Project;
• Ability to lead diverse teams of professional employees and/or contractors;
• Ability to identify alternative technological approaches and develop solutions for complex technical and administrative issues;
• Ability to present the Ministry’s position on projects requirements in technical meetings or in public information meetings;
• Ability to develop complex project plans and schedules, and to meet project deadlines within budget;
• Ability to plan, organize, and effectively manage a considerable workload with multiple priorities and demands and produce results within financial parameters;
• Ability to manage diverse project teams and provide leadership and consensus building skills;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with groups and individuals with diverse or competing interests or diverse perspectives in both the public and private sectors;
• Demonstrated ability to be client oriented, able to exchange information, and deliver innovative solutions to stakeholders;
• Ability to provide concise and accurate information orally and in writing, including reports, presentations and correspondence;
• Ability to manage and co-ordinate all aspect of projects through Ministry professionals, technicians and consultants;
• Ability to exercise tact, judgement, discretion, confidentiality and flexibility in project delivery.

Salary: $56,055.99 to $64,052.10

Contact Information

Bill Clifford
Senior Project Manager
Froest Land Acquisitions
250 387 8646

Employer Profile

Forest Land Acquisitions
Forest Tenures Branch
Tenures, Competitiveness and Innovation Division
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hth/index.htm