Assistant Project Manager - Utility Design Reviewer (Remote, CA, US)

Job Description

Under the general direction of the Project Manager – Reports of Investigation (“ROI”) and the Utilities Senior Project Manager, the Utility Design Reviewer contributes alongside a team of Utility Design Reviewers to prepare, review, coordinate, and track all utility Reports of Investigation for the Authority. The Utility Design Reviewer is responsible for preparing ROI reports in conformance with Chapter 13 of the Authority’s Right-of-Way Manual for all irrigation, water, drainage, electric, gas, telecom, privately owned utilities, and railroad facilities impacted by the Authority’s high-speed rail system.

Program-specific activities will include the following:

• Review utility relocation design plans and right-of-way maps for the following determinations:
  • Recommendation on approvals on all utility determination packages submitted by the utility relocation staff
  • Review for all aspects of quality control
  • Confirm prior rights determination and Review for any betterments.
• Assess utility-preferred relocation alternatives and provide an analysis of the scope, right-of-way, schedule, and cost impacts.
• Develop and propose justifications regarding utility relocations and right-of-way exchanges for utility facilities, for project consideration.
• Review right-of-way acquisition maps, identify any incorrectly labeled easements, and request updated exhibits, as needed.
• Review easement exhibits prepared by the Design-Builder for accuracy and consistency.
• Review property rights conveyance documents with the counterparty to ensure all documentation is correct and accepted by all parties.
• Provide technical assistance as needed on utility issues to ensure appropriate and consistent interpretation and application of Master Agreements, policies, utility standards, and requirements on complex utility relocations.
• Review and identify prior land rights for JUA, CCUA, easements, and licenses with third parties.
• Conduct and coordinate review of utilities rights crossing excess land.
• Coordinate and provide information for all utility owners in a timely manner.
• Represent Real Property Branch – Utilities Team at all meetings, as requested.
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Job Requirements

• Accredited four (4) year degree or global equivalent in applicable field of study and five (5) years of work-related experience or a combination of education and directly related experience equal to nine (9) years if non-degreed
• Experience in the land services/right of way field

Other Job Requirements

• Knowledge of land rights as they relate to Utility facilities.
• Experience reviewing utility designs to ensure compliance with utility land rights and design standards.
• Knowledge of title research – Investigate records, documents, and reports to ascertain history and status of various types of land rights.
• The ability to interpret various types of land rights in context of a regulated utility.
• Be a self-starter and detail-oriented
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral), and the ability to speak knowledgeably with other consultants, stakeholders, other governmental agencies and individual citizens.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to track large data sets, and the ability to illustrate, analyze and convey those data sets effectively.
• The ability to prepare technical correspondence and complete comprehensive reports; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; and collaboration skills for meeting established project goals and objectives.
• The ability to identify potential land rights conflicts that could create delays for the project.
• A general understanding of land survey principles, and the ability to read and plot legal descriptions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Engineering, business, or law degree
• Knowledge of the California High-Speed Rail Authority Right-of-Way Manual, Caltrans Utility Relocation Manual, Federal Statutes, and California State Statutes.
• Proficiency and knowledge of computer software applications such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Project, Power BI, scheduling software and SharePoint.
• The ability to maintain good communication skills and working relationships with third-party agencies, management, consultants, private sector contractors, subcontractors, and their associations
• Experience in developing and reviewing alternative route studies.