Senior Real Estate Agent

Senior Real Estate Agent

Salary

$163,306.00 - $198,526.90 Annually

Location

San Jose, CA 95134-1927, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-CC-19883

Division

Planning

Department

Real Estate & Joint Development

Opening Date

06/01/2026

Closing Date

7/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

Join VTA's Dynamic Multimodal Planning and Real Estate Team!

At VTA, the newly aligned Multimodal Planning and Real Estate team is a passionate group dedicated to transforming transportation and real estate connections across Santa Clara County.

Planning Division

This division is responsible for conducting all Congestion Management Program (CMP) and VTA transportation and transit planning activities, as well as programming, grants management, and real estate. The Planning Division consists of three primary focus areas: Planning, Programming and Grants, and Multimodal Planning & Real Estate

Multimodal Planning & Real Estate Department Real Estate Department

As part of the Planning Division, the Multimodal Planning & Real Estate department is a passionate group dedicated to transforming transportation, land use, and community connections across Santa Clara County. The department successfully integrates several key programs to achieve this mission, including Multimodal Planning, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD/TOC), Asset Management/Real Estate, and Right-of-Way.

The Right-of-Way Program

As a core program within the department, the Right-of-Way (ROW) team directly executes VTA's capital delivery by overseeing the acquisition of full properties, permanent easements, temporary construction easements, and other critical property interests. ROW ensures project certification and delivery for massive infrastructure improvements across Santa Clara County, including major rail extensions like BART Silicon Valley and Eastridge to BART Regional Connector (EBRC), as well as highway and complete streets projects. This work involves extensive multi-agency coordination with external partners like Caltrans, utility providers, and local municipalities to handle complex property clearances and utility relocations.

What Youll be Doing

Definition

Under direction, the Senior Real Estate Agent plans, organizes, supervises, and integrates the work of assigned staff and consultants engaged in acquiring, appraising, managing, leasing or disposing of real property and rights-of-way and/or planning, offering, negotiating, and managing VTAs joint development projects and associated agreements, and performs related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Senior Real Estate Agent is the first line supervisory classification in the Real Estate job series. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising staff engaged in all aspects of VTA real estate transactions and agreements, and for performing the more difficult and complex duties. Senior Real Estate Agent is distinguished from Manager, Real Estate & Project Administration in that the latter has full managerial responsibility for the entire real property program for VTA.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a seasoned, hands-on right-of-way professional who brings a strong background in public sector property acquisition and a proven ability to lead and guide staff. They possess deep technical expertise in navigating the procedural mandates of the Uniform Act and Caltrans compliance, ensuring that complex transaction files are legally sound and seamlessly positioned for project certification.

As a first-line supervisor, they excel at operational workflows by enjoying the process of mentoring staff, assigning daily tasks, and untangling challenging title, utility, or relocation issues on the ground. They are an empathetic and persuasive communicator who can step in to personally handle high-stakes or sensitive negotiations with property owners, all while keeping a sharp eye on critical milestones across concurrent capital delivery projects.

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County's authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the county's congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward

Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.

Essential Job Functions

Typical Tasks

Not all positions perform all duties and not all duties performed are listed. Duties performed vary depending on the area of assignment.

• Selects, supervises, trains, motivates, assigns, evaluates, counsels, and disciplines staff;
• With assigned staff and consultants, develops, implements, and monitors plans, goals and objectives to ensure that designated property appraisal, acquisition, management, sales, relocation projects, and joint development functions are accomplished in accordance with adopted schedules and budgets;
• Supervises and performs work related to major joint development planning projects that encompass residential, commercial, and other types of real estate development;
• Conducts and/or participates in complex planning and rezoning approvals, competitive offerings for long-term leases, difficult appraisals, negotiations, relocation assistance, and property sale or disposition functions;
• Performs detailed, complex research, analyses, and determinations;
• Develops work plans, schedules, and budget estimates for joint development studies and projects and oversees their execution;
• Prepares and presents information to the public, boards, committees, and community groups;
• Reviews, evaluates, and approves architectural, planning, engineering, environmental, financial, and real estate appraisal work product produced by consultants;
• Provides attorneys with market appraisals and other data for use in property settlements and condemnation litigation;
• Plans, directs, negotiates, administers and/or participates in the development, negotiation and administration of consultant contracts;
• Reviews, recommends, and administers Real Estate Department policies and procedures;
• May perform budget preparation and review;
• Reviews, evaluates, and approves appraisals and amounts for negotiation and settlement in accordance with VTA policies and procedures;
• Ensures compliance with VTA policies and procedures regarding equal opportunity and discrimination and harassment prevention;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Employment Standards

Sufficient training, education, and experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge and abilities.

Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, finance, real estate, or a related field; and five years of increasingly responsible experience in the appraisal, acquisition, relocation, design, financing, construction, and/or management of real property, with at least two years in a project lead or supervisory capacity.

Experience in acquisition of property for public use or experience with public-private development on public property is desirable.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of:

• Concepts, methods and techniques for appraising property and establishing market value, current market conditions, and land sales;
• Principles and practices of planning, development, and management of large-scale mixed-use real estate development projects in complex urban settings;
• Methods and techniques for property recordation and property record search;
• Federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to land and easement acquisition by public agencies, including condemnation and eminent domain proceedings and vacation and relinquishment law;
• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to planning, design, construction, financing, and operation of real estate development projects;
• Basic principles and practices of property and contract law, including preparation of detailed legal descriptions;
• Basic terminology, methods, and practices of engineering design, architecture, land use planning, land surveying, mapping, construction processes, real estate finance, and relocation;
• Principles and practices of communication and engagement with diverse stakeholders;
• Principles and practices of effective good faith negotiations;
• Principles and practices of effective supervision, training, employee development, motivation, discipline, and management.

Ability to:

• Analyze technical data and legal requirements, evaluate alternatives, and make sound, timely recommendations within established guidelines;
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to real estate responsibilities;
• Perform sound property appraisals that require the application of complex valuation considerations;
• Estimate and manage budgets and schedules for planning studies and projects;
• Read and interpret plans, maps, engineering drawings, and sketches;
• Prepare clear, concise, comprehensive, and legally sound documents and reports;
• Exercise sound independent professional judgment within established guidelines;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Negotiate effectively and persuasively on behalf of VTA to meet tight acquisition or project deadlines and legal, regulatory, and budget constraints;
• Use tact, discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and parties;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, staff, consultants, other governmental agencies and their representatives, property owners, tenants, and others encountered in the course of work.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid Class C drivers license issued by the State of California.

General Application Instructions

Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.

To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as "continuous," we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work, we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas, but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.

Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.

Communication & Contact Information

All updates regarding your application-including notices for testing and interviews-will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.

Application Review & Processing

All current and prior relevant work experience-including experience with VTA-must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as "see resume" are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.

While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.

Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.

This classification is represented by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.

Tentative Examinations:

Oral Panel: August 2026

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment.

For safety-sensitive positions, VTA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email Personnel@vta.org at least five business days before the test.

VTA offers a generous benefit package including: vision care, a choice of health plans, dental coverage, an employee assistance program, life insurance, and liberal holiday, vacation, and sick leave. A credit union and deferred compensation are also available to employees at their option. Detailed information on VTAs benefits may be found here: https://app.strivebenefits.com/santa-clara-valley-transportation-authority

As defined by the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA):

• Classic Members retirement benefit formula is 2% @55.
• New Members retirement benefit formula is 2% @62.

All Classic AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non-Rep employees hired on or after 01/09/2012 pay 7.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

All New/PEPRA AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non-Rep employees pay 8.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

Social Security taxes will be deducted from each employees bi-weekly salary.

01

I acknowledge that I have accurately entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position. Candidates found to have exaggerated/falsified any aspect of the application, including but not limited to: their qualifications, experience, training, and/or education may be disqualified at any point in the recruitment process and may be denied future employment with the VTA.

I have read this information and am aware of the importance of accurately entering in all Work Experience and Education on the employment application.

• Yes
• No

02

Drawing from your professional history, describe a complex public sector property acquisition or relocation challenge you personally resolved under the Uniform Act, FTA, or Caltrans guidelines. Without disclosing confidential or proprietary details, please address the following: 1. Describe the general scope of the infrastructure project and the specific type of property interest acquired (e.g., fee take, permanent easement, temporary construction easement, utilities, and/or ingress/egress rights). 2. Detail the exact technical hurdle encountered (e.g., a severe title encumbrance, a complex business relocation dispute, or a utility alignment conflict) and the precise, step-by-step actions you took to resolve it. 3. Explain how you balanced regulatory compliance mandates with the pressure of meeting critical project delivery milestones or certification deadlines.

03

As a Senior Right-of-Way Professional, you will serve as a first-line supervisor, team leader, or technical Subject Matter Expert (SME). Describe a scenario from your experience where a staff member, peer, or consultant submitted a right-of-way file or acquisition package to you that was flawed, stalled, or non-compliant. 1. What was the exact technical error or compliance deficiency in the file (e.g., appraisal inconsistencies, improper relocation notices, or defective legal descriptions)? 2. What specific coaching, technical guidance or corrective feedback did you provide to ensure the file was brought up to standard without you completely taking over the work? 3. Explain the quality assurance, quality control, and/or file tracking workflow you utilize to ensure your teams files are consistently ready for successful project certification.

04

Describe a challenging, deadlocked right-of-way negotiation you personally conducted where a significant gap existed between the agency's approved appraisal/administrative settlement limits and the property owners demands. 1. What specific technical or valuation parameters (e.g., damages to the remainder, highest and best use disagreements, or cost-to-cure items) caused the impasse? 2. What distinct negotiation strategies, market analysis tools or public-sector parameters did you employ to break the deadlock and secure a signed agreement? 3. How did you ensure that the final agreement remained fully compliant with public funding rules and agency guidelines?

05

When amicable acquisition agreements cannot be achieved, files must be seamlessly transitioned to legal counsel to protect project schedules and maintain attorney/client privilege. Describe a situation where you had to prepare and package a complex right-of-way file for Eminent Domain or condemnation proceedings. 1. What threshold or baseline conditions triggered the decision to cease negotiations and move to the Resolution of Necessity (RON) stage? 2. What specific documentation, diaries, appraisal data and legal histories did you compile to ensure the agencys file was legally bulletproof for legal staff? 3. How did you coordinate with legal counsel or manage outstanding property management/possession logistics to minimize delays to the construction schedule?

Required Question

Employer Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Address 3331 North First Street, Bldg. B-1

San Jose, California, 95143

Phone 4083215504

Website http://www.vta.org