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100: Principles of Land Acquisition (2-day Course)

Duration

April 21st - April 22nd

8am - 5pm

Price

IRWA Member Tuition: $565
Non-Member Tuition: $710

459 South Main Street, Las Vegas, NV, USA

About the Course

Course 100 lays the essential groundwork for understanding the principles of Land Acquisition, which is a critical component in the fields of real estate, urban development, and public infrastructure projects. This comprehensive 16 credit class is not only a core course required for obtaining RWA and R/W-URAC certification, but it also serves as a fundamental building block for professionals seeking to navigate the complex legal, ethical, and practical aspects of land acquisition processes. Throughout the course, students will engage with various topics, including the legal frameworks governing land use, the methodologies for appraising property values, and the essential negotiation skills necessary for successful transactions. Additionally, the curriculum is designed to provide insights into the impact of land acquisition on communities, the importance of stakeholder engagement, and the strategies for minimizing disruption during the acquisition process. By the end of this course, participants will have developed a robust understanding of the principles and practices that underpin effective land acquisition, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to excel in their respective careers within this vital sector.


Course 100 will cover the following topics:

  • Ethics: Describe the IRWA’s Code of Ethical Conduct, Standards and Procedures, as well as ethical behaviors that guide the work of the right of way and infrastructure professional.

  • Interdisciplinary Team: Recognize the key role that the right of way and infrastructure professional plays on the project team, as well as the importance of a team approach to the work.

  • Environmental Concerns: Describe the effects of public projects on the environment, as well as the types of environment assessment processes and studies.

  • Engineering/Surveying: Summarize the three-view concept of engineering plans, as well as property descriptions.

  • Appraisal: Describe the basics of the valuation process and the role of the appraiser in the acquisition process

  • Negotiation/Mitigation: Explain the right of way agent’s role during negotiation, including basic components from preparation to closing.

  • Relocation Assistance: Discuss the basics of relocation assistance for residential and non-residential


Registration includes a learning guide, engineering tools (scale, protractor, scaled ruler, etc.), study guide, United States Law Relocation Supplement, Real Estate Dictionary, and the Principles of Right of Way Textbook.


About the Instructor

James A. Olschewski is a Professional Land Surveyor who has spent the last 30 years designing and acquiring Right-of-Way (ROW) for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) while as a UDOT employee and now again as a consultant. James started his career in ROW researching and designing the widening of roadway projects such as Sardine Canyon, Provo Canyon, I-15 in Salt Lake County and most recently the Mountain View Corridor. James has toured the country teaching transportation design using Microstation and InRoads for several states DOT’s including, New Mexico and UDOT as well as many top fortune 500 Engineering Firms.

James has a degree in Architecture, a second degree in Surveying, and is NICET Certified in Roadway Design. James is a member of the Utah Council of Land Surveyors (UCLS) where he has served on many committees and is a Past SLC Chapter President. James is an active member of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) where he holds the designations of SR/WA and R/W-NAC and is a Climb Certified Instructor. He is the past Chapter38 President, served as the Vice-Chair of the International Transportation Committee (ITC), and served 4 years on the International Executive Committee (IEC). James is a two-time W. Howard Armstrong Instructor of the Year Finalist (2018-2019), and the 2020 Region Nine Professional of the Year. James has served as the Deputy Director of Right-of-Way, the Right-of-Way Design Program

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