Real Property Agent III

In addition to the current two (2) openings, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future career service Real Property Agent III positions within the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next 6 months.

Are you passionate about land conservation and looking to apply your real estate expertise in a way that creates lasting impact? King County is seeking two (2) Real Property Agent III's to join our Open Space Acquisitions Team. In this role, you will help permanently protect land for public access, climate resilience, and habitat preservation while supporting critical capital improvement projects across the region.

You’ll work alongside a highly experienced team to manage real estate acquisitions that directly contribute to King County’s Land Conservation Initiative—an ambitious effort to protect tens of thousands of acres of open space for current and future generations. This is a unique opportunity to combine technical real estate skills with meaningful, mission-driven work that benefits communities and the environment.

About the Role

In this role, you will manage a portfolio of fee and easement acquisitions from initiation through closing, supporting conservation efforts and capital projects across King County. You will work independently while collaborating with internal partners, landowners, and external stakeholders to successfully complete real estate transactions in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Key aspects of the role include developing acquisition strategies, conducting property research, coordinating due diligence, managing transaction timelines, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and policies. You will also prepare documentation, manage acquisition files, and communicate regularly with a wide range of audiences including landowners, attorneys, consultants, and project teams.

This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects. Success in this role comes from being proactive, adaptable, and committed to delivering high-quality work that advances conservation goals and public benefit outcomes.

About the Team

The Open Space Acquisitions Unit is part of the Rural and Regional Services Section within King County’s Water and Land Resources Division. Our team plays a central role in advancing the County’s Land Conservation Initiative by acquiring land and conservation easements that protect parks, open space, habitat, floodplains, farmland, and forestland across the region.

We partner with internal programs, public agencies, and community stakeholders to deliver complex, high-impact projects. Our work also supports innovative, market-based conservation programs, including transfer of development rights and environmental mitigation efforts.

Our team is known for professionalism, collaboration, and delivering results while working at the pace of the private market. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to building an inclusive workplace where employees can contribute meaningfully to environmental stewardship and community well-being.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Real Property Agent III, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Apply now for a rewarding career at theDepartment of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP)of King County. Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training,comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

• Facilitate all aspects of fee and easement acquisitions to achieve land conservation goals and to advance capital improvement projects in compliance with applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and internal policies.
  
  
• Collaborate with colleagues to implement acquisition strategies, including the preparation of acquisition cost estimates.
  
  
• Perform a variety of administrative tasks, including drafting internal offer routing packages and landowner correspondence, ordering maintenance cost estimates, providing accurate and timely updates to various tracking mechanisms, and managing your own acquisition files.
  
  
• Develop and review consultant scopes for tenant relocations and boundary line adjustments, direct and manage consultant work, and track consultant progress.
  
  
• Attend site inspections on an as-needed basis.
  
  
• Perform property research and present findings in response to internal and external inquiries.
  
  
• Collaborate with the environmental markets programs to maximize conservation potential through the acquisition process.
  
  
• Understand the tenant relocation process and associated legal requirements.
  
  

• At least 3 years of experience independently managing moderately complex real estate transactions; ideally, fee and easement acquisition from inception through closing.
  
  
• Knowledge of laws governing voluntary government acquisitions in the State of WA
  
  
• At least 3 years of experience implementing and tracking a workload consisting of multiple discrete projects concurrently.
  
  
• Experience performing the administrative tasks necessary to successfully and efficiently advance real estate transactions.
  
  

• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Situational Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
  
  

• Notary or the ability to gain appointment by the State of Washington within 90 days of employment.

• Valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to starting work if selected for this position.

• Due to potential conflicts of interest, candidates may not maintain an active real estate license or must be willing to transition their licensure status to “inactive” within 30 days of employment and for the duration of their employment in this role.

• Experience performing real estate transactions on behalf of a governmental entity.
• Familiarity with the process of segregating land to enable partial acquisitions.
• Advanced or highly specialized knowledge in one or more of the following areas: negotiation, escrow, real estate, property management and appraisal techniques, procedures and legislation.

• Work Location: The Open Space Acquisitions Unit works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104.
  
  Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
  
  King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
• Work Schedule:This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible
• Union Representation:This position is not represented by a union,
• Physical Requirements:Occasional travel throughout King County is required to conduct physical site inspections of properties. Site inspections may include uneven terrain, overgrown vegetation, forested environments and farms.

We will review applications based on clarity, completeness, and alignment with the qualifications outlined in this posting. To receive full consideration, applicants should clearly demonstrate the following in their materials:

• End-to-end transaction experience with clear examples of your role and level of independence

• Fee and/or easement experience, including familiarity with key differences

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, with examples of tools or strategies used

• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, particularly for government acquisitions

• Strong organization and administrative skills, including managing files, documentation, and timelines

• Clear, concise, and professional communication in all application materials

Applicants who provide specific, relevant examples and clearly connect their experience to the role will be most competitive.

• Complete Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume(Your resume should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Cover Letter(Your cover letter should detail your background and what you can bring to this position and will be used in the screening process; we’re looking for originalwriting that showcases your relevant job experience)

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.