State of Maryland

A Land Acquisition Specialist is the responsible professional and administrative work in the field of acquisition and appraisal of real property for the State of Maryland.  Employees in this classification work with Land Review Appraisers to establish fair market values for property throughout the State and direct the Contract Negotiators in the acquisition process for the Department of General Services.  Employees in this classification provides administrative assistance to the various State agencies and institutions and individual property acquisition programs by collecting and evaluating market data and other economic sources throughout the State in order to prepare land and/or improvements value reports, sight selections and feasibility studies.  Employees in this classification must be able to deal with the public through all stages of the property acquisition procedures, effectively work with members of the Legislature, Administrative officials of other State agencies, and local officials.  Employees in this classification are responsible for the administrative work in the acquisition of real property and must assure that the required legal documents are prepared for the eventual transfer of property to State ownership at an equitable cost.  Employees in this classification supervise Contract Negotiators, secretarial and clerical personnel.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the Chief of the Land Acquisition Division but considerable independence in planning and organizing is allowed to carry out assignments.  Effectiveness is evaluated from the number and quality of property options obtained and submitted within the required schedule; the quality of appraisals done by employees; and the review of written reports through conferences.  The duties of the position require that the employee frequently has contact with property owners, appraisers, attorneys and others, necessitating travel in all of the counties of the State of Maryland.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

Supervises negotiations for real estate for all State Departments except for the Maryland Department of Transportation;

Supervises a staff of Contract Negotiators;

Coordinates projects with acquiring agencies as to various details and priorities involved;

Prepares appraisal and administrative reports;

Reviews and recommends just compensation of staff and contract appraisals;

Conducts on-site property studies as required;

Collects and evaluates market data;

Appraises improved and unimproved property;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of appraisal practices, techniques, terms, methods and procedures for appraising all types of real property;

Knowledge of land values in the various counties of the State;

Knowledge of real estate trends;

Knowledge of land use planning; Knowledge of zoning and subdivision regulations;

Knowledge of contract real estate and eminent domain with particular reference to compensable and non-compensable items;

Knowledge of negotiating land acquisition;

Ability to plan, program and coordinate acquisition projects;

Ability to read and understand land maps;

Ability to prepare and review real estate appraisals;

Ability to determine fair market values for property to be acquired;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, contract appraisers and individual property owners;

Ability to supervise Contract Negotiators;

Ability to express findings clearly and concisely, particularly in writing.

Experience: Thirteen years of employment in Real Estate negotiation, brokerage, appraisal, or management. Four years of the above experience must have involved the acquisition of private property for a governmental agency.

Note: Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferably with courses or specialized study in civil engineering, economics, business or public administration or law and nine years of employment in Real Estate negotiation, brokerage, appraisal, or management for the required experience. Four years of this experience must have involved the acquisition of private property for a governmental agency.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.