About the position
The Real Property Appraiser, Property & Acquisition Specialist 5 (PAS5) position at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources is a full-time, permanent role based in Olympia, WA. This position involves a variety of responsibilities centered around the appraisal of real property, particularly in relation to land use and acquisition projects. The successful candidate will be tasked with conducting thorough appraisals that comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and, when necessary, the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (UASFLA). The role requires a deep understanding of the appraisal process, including the ability to determine the Highest and Best Use of transitional lands and to independently conduct appraisal-related research. In this role, the appraiser will manage a database of comparable sales by property type and geographic location, ensuring that all appraisals are based on accurate and relevant data. The position also involves reviewing complex appraisal reports, determining alternate value estimates in assemblage issues, and developing clear directions for consultants on various projects. Staying updated on current developments in the real estate appraisal industry is crucial, as is assisting in the drafting of departmental appraisal policies and procedures. The appraiser will coordinate site visits and perform property inspections across various locations, including urban, suburban, and rural areas, and will need to research state and federal policies related to land use and real estate matters.
Responsibilities
- Preliminary scope assigned projects for complexity and identification of the appraisal problem to solve.
- Prepare USPAP (and when necessary UASFLA) compliant appraisals and review appraisals.
- Determine the Highest and Best Use in transitional lands.
- Independently conduct appraisal-related research, and establishment/management of comparable sales database by property type and by geographic location.
- Independently conduct appraisal reviews, in developing and scrutinizing complex appraisal reports.
- Determine alternate value estimates in assemblage issues, i.e., treated differently for trespass situations and willing seller willing buyer scenarios.
- Develop directions and instructions for consultants on assorted routine projects and obtain consensus from potentially adversarial parties.
- Stay abreast of current developments in the real estate appraisal industry as it affects valuation methods and standards.
- Assist in the drafting of department appraisal policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Research title information and contact property owners as appropriate.
- Coordinate site visits, including performing property inspections in urban, suburban, and rural locations, including outstate locations.
- Research state and federal policies, procedures, rules, and statutes relating to land use and real estate matters on projects with unique appraisal problems.
- Work with the project managers and DNR region personnel to collect necessary data.
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree, involving a major study in business or public administration, real estate, economics, accounting, or a related field.
- Five (5) years of experience independently appraising all types of real property.
- Proven experience successfully completing complex before and after compliant eminent domain appraisal reports meeting the Review Appraiser's expectations from which the Reviewer issued a Determination of Value.
- Proven experience successfully completing review appraisals of complex before and after compliant eminent domain appraisals.
- High-level technical writing skills as evidenced by college-level coursework or completed on-the-job writing assignments.
- Ability to work independently applying sound analysis to make decisions, set own priorities, and meet required deadlines.
- Proficient use of computers and computer software (including, but not limited to familiarity with GPS, reading maps to identify locations in rural areas, GIS, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe, Web, etc.).
Benefits
- Relocation Compensation may be available and considered.
- Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered.
