Property and Acquisition Specialist 4
State of Washington
FreshPosted Jan 21
✓ Fresh Listing
Posted: January 21, 2026 (3 days ago)
This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.
Property & Acquisition Specialist 5 (In-Training)
State of Washington
Dept. of Transportation
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$66,372 - $103,536
per year
Type
Full Time
More Procurement & Contracts jobs →Closes
February 4, 2026More State jobs →
Job Description
Summary
This job involves valuing land and property rights for transportation projects, such as building highways or bridges, and managing contracts with experts who do similar work.
You'll help estimate costs for buying or selling state-owned properties to ensure everything is fair and legal.
It's a great fit for someone with strong experience in real estate appraisal who enjoys detailed analysis and working on big public infrastructure initiatives.
Key Requirements
- Certified General Real Property Appraiser license or equivalent
- Extensive experience in complex real property appraisals for public sector projects
- Knowledge of state and federal laws governing property acquisition and valuation
- Skills in managing contracts, including bidding, negotiation, and monitoring compliance
- Ability to prepare valuation reports, cost estimates, and funding analyses
- Proficiency in project planning, scheduling, and reconnaissance for transportation right-of-way
- Strong analytical skills for reviewing appraisals and ensuring legal defensibility
Full Job Description
About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence!
Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state.
In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!
The Opportunity
WSDOT is seeking a highly skilled Property and Acquisition Specialist 5 (In-Training) to join the North Central Region Property Asset Office in Wenatchee, Washington.
This role serves as a senior-level appraisal professional, providing expert real property valuation in support of WSDOT’s transportation mission.
In this position, you will appraise real property and property rights to support the acquisition of right of way for transportation projects, as well as provide accurate and defensible valuations for the sale or lease of WSDOT-owned properties and property interests.
You will prepare complex valuation analyses for access breaks on limited access highways, develop cost estimates to establish right of way work orders and project funding, and provide valuation expertise and analytical support to project engineering offices.
In addition to hands-on appraisal work, this role includes managing appraisal consultant contracts, ensuring compliance with professional standards, timelines, and contractual requirements.
The position plays a critical role in delivering legally sound, well-documented property valuations that support project delivery, fiscal stewardship, and public trust.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Property and Acquisition Specialist 5 will:
- Provide estimates for project real estate acquisition and manages contract appraisal work.
- Manage daily appraisal matters, including, but not limited to, planning, scheduling, and implementing of appraisal workload to ensure timely completion of all acquisition, disposal, and lease appraisals, Waiver Valuations, and Value Memos.
- Complete project reconnaissance, appraisal cost estimates, and project funding estimates.
- Define tasks for assignment of parcels to fee appraisers based on the complexity and needed expertise and available staff.
- Solicit appraisal bids, negotiate, draft, award and monitor personal service contracts for appraisal and related activities.
- Examine appraisal to assure compliance with acceptable appraisal procedures, state and federal laws, contract or assignment terms, current departmental requirements and recommend corrective actions.
- Coordinate with state review appraisers for review of appraisals and preparation of Determination of Value.
- Perform appraisals, waiver valuations, and value memos for WSDOT projects and disposals.
Qualifications
This is a Property and Acquisition Specialist 5 position.
However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan.
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required to meet the PAS 5 level:
- Property Appraisal & Valuation Expertise: Demonstrated ability to independently lead and complete complex real property appraisal assignments—including acquisitions, access breaks, leasing, and disposals—by applying sound valuation methodologies and professional judgment to support transportation and property management objectives.
- Consultant Contract Management: Demonstrated ability to manage appraisal consultant contracts from procurement through completion, including scope development, competitive bidding, negotiation, performance oversight, and review of deliverables to ensure quality, compliance, and timeliness.
- Financial Analysis & Project Cost Estimation: Demonstrated ability to develop accurate cost estimates and valuation projections that support project planning, funding decisions, and right of way work order development.
- Regulatory Compliance & Legal Defensibility: Demonstrated advanced knowledge of appraisal standards, regulatory requirements, and internal valuation policies, with the ability to produce well-documented, technically sound, and legally defensible valuation analyses.
- Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively with diverse stakeholders—including property owners, consultants, and senior program staff—to explain valuation concepts, resolve issues, and support informed decision-making.
- Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
- Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:
- Professional Appraisal Certification: Demonstrated possession of, or ability to meet the requirements for, a Washington State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser credential, or an equivalent certification from another state, with the ability to apply credentialed appraisal standards in a public-sector environment.
- Eminent Domain Appraisal Experience: Demonstrated experience conducting eminent domain appraisals, including the application of valuation principles and legal considerations specific to condemnation proceedings, with a level of proficiency consistent with a Property and Acquisition Specialist 5 role.
- Public-Sector Property Transactions: Demonstrated experience supporting or performing real property acquisition, disposal, and leasing activities within a public agency—preferably within WSDOT—by applying agency policies, procedures, and documentation standards.
- Federal Acquisition & Relocation Compliance: Demonstrated knowledge of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, with the ability to apply its requirements to appraisal, acquisition, and relocation-related activities.
- Federal Appraisal Standards (UASFLA): Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (UASFLA) and the ability to produce appraisal work that meets federal technical and legal requirements.
- Agency Right of Way Policy Application: Demonstrated knowledge of the WSDOT Right of Way Manual (revised 2025) and the ability to apply its guidance consistently to appraisal, acquisition, leasing, and disposal activities.
Important Notes
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
- To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the “Contact Us” section of this posting.
- WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
- Property & Acquisition Specialist 4: $71,472 – $96,144 Annually
- Property & Acquisition Specialist 5: $76,968 – $103,536 Annually
In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position.
For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
This is a Property & Acquisition Specialist 5 position.
However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan.
The base salaries for each level are: Property & Acquisition Specialist 3: $66,372 - $89,316 Annually
Why WSDOT
- Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
- Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
- Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
- Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.
Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?
How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:
- An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
- An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
- Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.
Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.
WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency.
Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.
All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply.
Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the recruiter listed.
Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Amanda Strebeck, at amanda.strebeck@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference PAS 5 #24667 in the subject line.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes