The work we do matters!
Hiring Agency:
Transportation - Agency 27
Location:
Lincoln, NE
Hiring Rate:
$24.193
Job Posting:
JR2026-00027693 Right-of-Way Negotiator (Open)
Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
07-17-2026
Job Description:
Would you like to have a job that involves an interesting mix of real estate, marketing, public relations, engineering, public administration, and law?
As a Right of Way Negotiations Agent for the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), you will learn about all of these fields. In a nutshell, we acquire the land needed to build and maintain the State's transportation infrastructure within an environment where you get to be out-and-about, traveling our beautiful state part of the time, with the other part spent in the office surrounded by a supportive crew of teammates and team leaders. You get the best of both worlds and experience job autonomy.
As a comprehensive team member, you personally get to leave a big mark on the State of Nebraska! You will contribute to projects that literally change the landscape of the state.
In addition to the excellent benefits package offered to state employees, NDOT provides 100% tuition reimbursement for applicable degrees and has a wide range of training and education opportunities that will help you excel at your job and learn about subjects you find of interest.
We reward our employees' hard work with a friendly and supportive work environment and a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- State-matched retirement contribution of 156%
- 13 paid holidays
- Generous leave accruals that begin immediately
- Military leave
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Dependent tuition reimbursement program with partnering Nebraska community colleges
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
- 79% employer-paid health insurance plans
- Dental and vision insurance plans
- Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy
- Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State
- Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
- Training and Development based on your career aspirations
- Job security and stability, even during times of economic hardship
- Employee Assistance Program
- Fun, inviting teammates
- Free parking
JOB DUTIES
Review design plans, appraisals, and legal documents prior to making an offer to the owners to acquire property.
Contact property owners to explain project plans, appraisals, contracts, acquisition processes, and answer questions.
Display a patient demeanor and a capability to explain the project. Educate the landowner regarding potential impacts to their property.
Extend purchase offers and counteroffers to property owners. Negotiate reasonable and justifiable counteroffers that can address the owners' concerns; explain condemnation procedures if negotiations do not reach a settlement, and prepare documents required for the eminent domain procedures.
Prepare call reports documenting all contacts with owners or residents, and settlement reports documenting the basis of settlements.
Prepare and review files and documents to submit to senior management of the Right-of-Way Division to ensure compliance of actions, decisions, or settlements with laws, rules, and policies; prepare documents used by the State Attorney General's office as the basis for determining appropriate parties in condemnation actions.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements/ Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Education and/or experience in real estate appraisal or valuation, relocation assistance, property management, public relations, public policy, mediation, or public/business administration.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree and/or Real Estate License, Appraisal License, or Abstractor's Certificate.
Experience in current highway construction projects and NDOT Agency/ROW Division goals and policies.
Experience in appraisal, ROW acquisition, legal real estate instruments, negotiation techniques, and/or basic engineering practices.
Interpersonal communication skills and exercise of tact and judgment when dealing with property owners, agency representatives, and the public.
Other:
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES
Excellent time management, workload planning, and prioritizing skills.
Possess strong communication skills to effectively communicate and educate the public, and successfully negotiate settlements with landowners.
Ability to travel throughout the state with occasional (sometimes frequent) overnight stays.
Ability to quickly learn right-of-way and negotiation methods, procedures, practices, and regulations in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and policies.
Ability to write narratives within call reports, accurately describing interactions with landowners and other parties.
If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/
We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.
Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits
Equal Opportunity Statement
The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.
