Position Description
Position Overview:
Harris County is the nation’s third-most populous and one of the fastest-growing counties. The Office of the County Engineer (OCE) is the engine driving Harris County's development, safety, and resilience. Guided by the Harris County Commissioners’ Court, this department manages a wide range of essential projects and services that affect more than 4.7 million residents across the county, including Houston and surrounding areas. The Real Property Director plays an instrumental role in advancing the OCE’s objectives by facilitating strategic real estate initiatives. The Director will develop, analyze, and negotiate complex real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and leases on behalf of OCE. This position drafts, reviews, and issues letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, offer packages, counteroffers, listing agreements, purchase and sale agreements, leases, licenses, operation and maintenance agreements, easements, and right-of-way agreements. With a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach, the Director will ensure the seamless progression of all active projects by carefully evaluating, reviewing, and monitoring each phase.
Job Duties:
- Provides strategic leadership and oversight of Harris County’s real estate acquisition, disposition, and management programs, including easements, rights-of-way, residential, commercial, industrial, and other property interests.
- Directs and ensures compliance with all legal, regulatory, and policy requirements governing County real estate transactions, safeguarding County interests and assets.
- Oversees complex negotiations, purchases, sales, and leases; establishes acquisition and disposition strategies; and approves key terms and conditions aligned with County objectives.
- Serves as the County’s principal liaison on real estate matters with elected officials, department leadership, property owners, developers, legal counsel, consultants, and external agencies.
- Guides due diligence, appraisals, title reviews, and valuation processes to determine fair market value and support sound financial decisions.
- Establishes and enforces internal policies, performance standards, and procedures for real property operations and documentation management.
- Provides executive review and approval of offer packages, purchase agreements, counteroffers, and financial projections to support transparency and fiscal accountability.
- Leads multidisciplinary coordination with engineers, attorneys, economic development teams, utilities, and external partners to advance County infrastructure and capital improvement projects.
- Evaluates and determines the appropriate type and extent of property rights required for County projects, recommending acquisition methods and mitigation strategies.
- Directs the preparation and procurement of independent appraisals, environmental studies, and related professional services to support County initiatives.
- Develops and mentors a high-performing real estate team through coaching, performance management, and professional development; recommends recognition or corrective action as appropriate.
- Oversees OCE parking operations, including policies, budgets, contracts, facilities, and technology, to ensure efficient, secure, and customer-focused service across all parking assets.
- Leads and develops the Parking Team, drives performance and compliance, and strengthens processes for access control, revenue management, maintenance, and emergency readiness.
- Serves as the County’s subject matter expert on real property policy and practice; advises executive leadership on strategic land use, asset management, and development opportunities.
- Leads special initiatives, continuous improvement efforts, and cross-departmental collaborations to optimize operational efficiency and service delivery.
- Performs other executive duties as assigned to support departmental and Countywide goals.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Real Estate, or another relevant field.
Experience:
- Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in general real estate transactions or related project, program, or contract management, including responsibility for contract/document preparation.
- Five (5) years of supervisory/leadership experience in the public or private real estate industry.
Education and Experience Substitution: Required experience may be substituted for the relevant education on a year-for-year basis, provided the education is directly related to the position.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):
- Knowledge of real estate appraisal, acquisition, leasing, condemnation, licensing, contracts, title work, and closing processes.
- Knowledge of operations, services, and activities related to land acquisition, tax foreclosure proceedings, leasing, and abandonments.
- Knowledge of laws, codes, and regulations governing the sale and disposition of surplus and tax-foreclosed properties.
- Skilled in the principles and practices of real property acquisition, including eminent domain processes, property appraisals, and leasing strategies.
- In-depth understanding of current real estate market trends, enabling informed decision-making and strategic planning.
- Proficient in overseeing land acquisition processes and managing property transactions through completion.
- Experienced in budget preparation and financial management, ensuring responsible fiscal planning and resource allocation.
- Familiarity with best practices in managing operations within large, fast-moving, and complex organizations.
- Proven ability to lead by example while driving accountability, teamwork, and high performance.
- Strong leadership abilities in supervision, training, and performance management, fostering a productive and efficient team environment.
- Strong communicator with the ability to build trust, negotiate effectively, and maintain productive relationships across all levels.
- Collaborative leader who works effectively with peers, executive leadership, and external stakeholders to move initiatives forward.
Emergency Deployment & Continuity of Operations Requirement:
In accordance with Harris County’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Policy, this position is subject to emergency response and deployment protocols. The employee may be designated as supporting a Mission Essential Function (MEF) and must:
- Participate in the classification of departmental staff based on MEF responsibilities.
- Be available for temporary deployment to an alternative work location, role, or telework assignment during emergencies.
- Confirm work assignments with their supervisor before reporting to any worksite during such events.
- Remain flexible in assuming alternative duties as directed to support continuity of County operations.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week. Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload. Salary: Commensurate with experience, based on 26 pay periods.
Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:
- The personnel will be in the office 80% of the time and 20% in the field.
- The personnel will primarily be working at a desk while in the office.
- Field visits may require personnel to be outside for several hours at a time.
- Must be able to lift 20 lbs. and go out to the field to do field work.
- Personnel must be able to operate a vehicle to do field visits.
FEATURED BENEFITS:
- Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
- Wellness.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Flexible spending accounts.
- 457 deferred compensation plans.
- Retirement pension (TCDRS).
- Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).
- Disability and life insurance.
- Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
Benefits
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
- One (1) floating holiday per year
- Paid Parental Leave*
- Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
- Professional learning & development opportunities
- Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
- Flexible work schedule*
- METRO RideSponsor Program*
- Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
www.benefitsathctx.com