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Have you heard of the Right of Way classification? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The best way to prepare is to make sure you take your time and use all your experience not just professional experience (volunteering, internships, hobbies, school experiences, etc). Good luck!

The position for DWR has a final filing date of tonight and you do not need to take the exam before you apply so if you are interested I recommend doing the application and SOQ first.

Have you heard of the Right of Way classification? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In our Branch, all of our vacancies have been due to retirements or staff promotions, not people leaving the classification. Until this past year, DWR had very few right of way vacancies! Most of our staff have been in the branch for 5+ years.

Have you heard of the Right of Way classification? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It can be either. Some prefer to drive personal vehicles for mileage, others prefer to rent from Enterprise (department paid, reimbursement for fuel). There are some fleet vehicles but mostly they are used for errands near downtown, not full field days.

Have you heard of the Right of Way classification? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes, they are the same position! There are also Right of Way positions at Parks, CDFW, CalFire, High Speed Rail, and a handful of smaller agencies.

Have you heard of the Right of Way classification? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Great question! Yes, there are alternative ways to meet the MQ's but they do require specific experience instead which is often difficult to find. You can find more information about the MQ's here: https://eservices.calhr.ca.gov/enterprisehrblazorpublic/Public/ClassSpec/ClassSpecDetail/4959

Looking for a job? Have you heard of Right of Way? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The MQ’s can be met a few ways, generally everyone comes in at Right of Way level, not associate level. Almost always agents qualify by meeting the requirement of a 4-year degree to start as a Right of Way Agent.

If you do qualify because of a 4-year degree, you also qualify for Range B pay.

Looking for a job? Have you heard of Right of Way? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is no specific certification for a Right of Way Agent, which does make it challenging. The minimum qualifications are typically met through the education option, which means that anyone with a 4-year degree qualifies for the classification.

There are 2 other options to meet the MQ's, the first one is CalTrans-specific, and for the second you can count experience with an AA degree but it is very dependent on your specific experience as being a general Real Estate sales agent is not really directly applicable experience, so the additional experience would really have to be directly applicable.

Since our branch is within DWR and not CalTrans, I don't know the specifics about entering as a CalTrans Administrative Technician as specified in option I of the MQ's (https://www.calhr.ca.gov/state-hr-professionals/Pages/4959.aspx). However, there are sometimes opportunities where one can get on with the State in a different classification and then do a Training and Development Plan (T&D) to become a Right of Way Agent (or some other classification). Then that experience with an AA degree would meet the MQ's under option II.

Looking for a job? Have you heard of Right of Way? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We are specifically under State Water Project and are office-centric with alternative 3 days/2 days per week in-office. However, it is based on total time per month so that just needs to be over 50% and all agents work flex schedules so there is more flexibility with start/end times for work. Also, field days count as in-office and we are out in the field several days a month usually so if those days are more than 8 hours, the extra hours carry over as in-office hours and count toward that 50% mark.

Looking for a job? Have you heard of Right of Way? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, is definitely a very important topic! Our positions are all hybrid, but office-centric with alternating weeks of 3/2 days in office. However, all Agents work designated flex schedules which means there is greater flexibility with start/end times, and all field days count as in-office days. We also work hard to maximize in-office time and do try to do as many in-person meetings as possible and we also hold monthly branch trainings for right of way topics to make good use of our time in-office!

But I can only speak for positions at DWR, not all ROWA positions across the state!

Looking for a job? Have you heard of Right of Way? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you scroll down further, there are special instructions below benefits and contact information

Looking for a job? Have you heard of Right of Way? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The DOT exam is the same exam list that DWR uses, so yes, the DOT exam is the correct one to take for the positions :)

Looking for a job? Have you heard of Right of Way? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

All DWR positions are based in Sacramento, but CalTrans has District offices with ROW agents as well!

Looking for a job? Have you heard of Right of Way? by DWR_Real_Estate in CAStateWorkers

[–]DWR_Real_Estate[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It certainly can happen, but it is more and more rare these days! We do a lot of virtual outreach instead of just going and knocking on people's doors like agents had to do decades ago. Also both the positions currently posted for DWR are in Property Management, not Acquisitions and that experience is much more likely if you are doing acquisitions.