Occ. Code 2341100

REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST 1, GRADE 18	2341100
REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST 2, GRADE 23	2341200
REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST 2 (CONSERVATION), GRADE 23	2341210
REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST 2 (GENERAL SERVICES), GRADE 23	2341220

 New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

            Real Estate Specialists collect, acquire, review, and reconcile assessment and real property data, prepare and review appraisals of real estate and real property interests, perform ownership and real estate title research, assist in the disposition of State-owned real estate, and negotiate with private owners concerning the States acquisition of real estate and real property interests. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST 1:  full performance level; performs the full range of professional real estate acquisition and property management activities.

REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST 2 and parenthetic titles: supervises a unit or work team of at least two professional positions at the Grade 18 level; may function as the agency's expert and provides a leadership role in a major functional area such as lease negotiations and agency relocations, project management, acquisition, disposition, negotiation, land management, relocation assistance, and conveyance of easements; and may be responsible for an agencys Statewide or regional program.

RELATED CLASSES

            Complex Real Property Appraisers perform data collection, analysis, and valuation activities of sales and appraisals for certain commercial, industrial, non-forest, and utility structural properties; obtain and analyze economic rental income, company financial statements, and expense information requiring extensive analysis, multiple computations, and synthesis of information from varying sources; and oversee the computerized analysis of data and the generation of models to predict property values. 

            Land Surveyors direct, coordinate, and conduct surveys of State-owned and private property, including lands and waters, and certify the accuracy of maps, descriptions, and boundaries. 

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

            REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST 1

Prepares or reviews appraisals of property and rent studies.

• Researches public land records for title background, easement encumbrances, liens, deed restrictions or covenants, and determines effect of local zoning, or community master plan on potential use of State parcel.
• Conducts physical inspection of property.
• Supervises collection of data from other offices on real estate transactions, property titles, special assessments, taxes, etc.
• Prepares full narrative self-contained appraisal report to determine value.
• Drafts scope of service and reviews consultant prepared appraisals.

• Prepares draft permits and licenses for the private use of State-owned real estate or real property.
• Determines eligibility for relocation payments and calculation of payment amounts.
• Conducts public auction of surplus real estate or real property, including coordination of advertising, conducting open houses for potential bidders, and arranging for date and site of auction.
• Prepares and reviews valuation for easements and grants of land underwater
• Drafts leases, licenses, and easements for the use of State natural resources, recreational assets and underwater lands.
• Reviews and controls sand mining, underwater land filling, gas drilling, mineral operations and salt mining conducted by licensed operators on State-owned lands.
• Presents negotiated offers to property owners and landlords or their legal representatives during the condemnation process.

• Explains real property acquisition and procedures for settlement of claims to affected owners.
• Negotiates lease transactions with private building owners including preparation of final lease documents including issuance of Request for Proposals.
• Coordinates, reviews and approves all Vendor Responsibility documents submitted by landlords in support of proposed transactions.
• Interacts with all key players in a lease transaction including legal staff, planners and construction supervisors until agency move-in.
• Provides relocation assistance to businesses and individuals who might be displaced.
• Makes presentations on land acquisition disposition or regulatory requirement procedures at public hearings and information meetings.
• Ensures compliance of the rules and regulations of the NYS Outdoor Advertising Sign Program as it relates to the federal Highway Beautification Act.

· Responds to inquiries from the public and other State agencies.

• Coordinates activities and assists on claims in litigation with the Department of Law.

            REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST 2 and parenthetics: 

Supervises professional staff including Real Estate Specialists 1 and Land Surveyors.

• Assigns work to subordinate staff.
• Coordinates the work flow of a unit, program function or project.
• Reviews work of subordinates to ensure standards and procedures are followed.
• Approves and disapproves time off.
• Prepares performance evaluations.

Performs the more complicated transactions.

• Prepares appraisal reports that may have Statewide agency real estate acquisition and disposition implication.
• Coordinates property acquisition in a geographic area including preparing cost estimates.
• Coordinates and oversees consultant contracts including tenant broker agreements.
• Directs negotiations with property owners and landlords regarding services for lease terms and conditions, and conditions for sale.
• Carries out politically sensitive negotiations.
• Coordinates activities with other divisions and/or agencies on major projects.
• Meets with the Department of Law concerning Court of Claims cases.
• Supervises recording and maintenance of existing real estate records, such as conveyance of interest or easements.

INDEPENDENCE OF OPERATION

            Real Estate Specialists 1 work under administrative and technical supervision from a Real Estate Specialist 2.  They work with considerable independence within the scope of their field assignments and are expected to produce completed work.  Their work must conform to policy and technical standards set by executive management and various sections of New York State Laws such as the Highway Law, Eminent Domain Procedure Law, Public Buildings Law, Public Lands Law, Environmental Law, Canal Law, as well as the Codes, Rules, and Regulations of the State of New York.  Real Estate Specialists 1 have access to Real Estate Specialists 2 for technical advice and assistance.  Direction is also available in the form of policy directives, professional standards, and agency technical manuals and procedural guidelines. 

Real Estate Specialists 2 work under general supervision from higher level program managers, but work with considerable independence in performing supervisory work activities. Work assignments are performed with only limited review and technical direction. Their work must conform to policy and technical standards set by executive management and various sections of New York State and federal laws. Written program procedures, policies, and guidelines are usually available and followed. Real Estate Specialists 2 are expected to advise their supervisors about problems and difficulties encountered and discuss with them solutions and alternate approaches to problems. 

COMPLEXITY

            Real Estate Specialists 1 and 2 apply a good understanding of land, tenements and hereditaments, real estate appraisal practices and standards, real estate law, leasehold interests, real estate financing, cartography and map reading, metes and bounds survey descriptions, utility easements, techniques of negotiation, and agency programs, policies, and procedures to perform their work activities.  The work may be complicated by changes in the organization, legislation, program requirements, and work environment.  Frequently, work plans and activities are altered or disrupted in response to priorities and needs of other program areas.

            While work activities are covered by established procedures and guidelines, other activities require understanding of a variety of factors to complete or accomplish objectives.

COMMUNICATION

            Real Estate Specialists have frequent written and oral communications with various people, including co-workers, program and administrative staff, representatives of businesses and organizations, elected and appointed officials and their staff, and the general public.  They answer questions, exchange information, provide assistance and advice, clarify policies and procedures, and represent the program and its officials and staff.  Effective working relationships must be established and maintained to foster assistance and cooperation and to represent the program.

            Written communications include the preparation of narrative and tabular reports, letters, forms, policies, work plans, and procedures of varying complexity and length and requiring a strong understanding of policies, procedures, and legislative mandated program and project activities 

            Oral communications may be by telephone or in person, including face-to-face dialogue and participation in and presentations at meetings and public information meetings.

SUPERVISION

            Although supervision of other staff is not required for classification of Real Estate Specialists 1, they may oversee the work of clerical and paraprofessional staff and may review the work of outside consultants. 

Real Estate Specialists 2 supervise two or more professional employees.  They perform the full range of supervisory activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

            REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST 1

Promotion:  one year of permanent competitive service in a position allocated to Grade 9 or higher and completion of a two-year traineeship.

Open Competitive:  four years of experience in real estate work, including one year performing at least two of the following: inspection and appraisal of real property, legal research related to the sale of real property, title search, survey work in a responsible position determining property lines, and appraisal negotiations or related work with a public acquisition agency.

            REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST 2

Promotion:  one year of permanent competitive service as a Real Estate Specialist 1.

            REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST 2 (CONSERVATION)

Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Real Estate Specialist 1 or Land Surveyor in the Department of Environmental Conservation.

REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST 2 (GENERAL SERVICES)

Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Real Estate Specialist 1, Land Surveyor, Leasing Agent 1, or Senior Building Space Analyst.

Revised:  1/12

NOTE:   Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.