Appraisal Department Manager

Appraisal Department Manager

Heritage Bank has an exciting opportunity to join our organization!

We are seeking an Appraisal Department Manager to lead our Appraisal team. The appraisal department manager is responsible for providing leadership, management and direction to the appraisal department and oversees the Bank's real estate collateral valuation process, ensuring risk appropriate collateral valuation standards. Additionally, this position maintains detailed knowledge of all banking regulations for real estate valuations, and will ensure compliance with Bank policies, Federal and State regulations, including FIRREA and USPAP, and reasonableness of value conclusions. Ensures the Bank's real estate valuation policies and procedures are maintained and current. This position requires the exercise of personal judgment and decision-making independent of undue influence by lenders or borrowers and at times without clear precedent.

Geographical location for this position is Everett, Lynnwood, or Tacoma, Washington. Depending on experience and qualifications, other locations within Heritage Bank's footprint (WA, OR, ID) may be considered. This position is fully on-site in either Washington, Idaho, or Oregon.

Base Salary Range:

$141,729.00 - $177,167.00 - $212,594.00 annual

The Role at a Glance:

• Ensures timely engagement and review of all residential and commercial real estate appraisals in compliance with banking regulations.
• Recommends, develops and implements policy and procedures to assure regulatory compliance for real estate appraisals and evaluations.
• Guides, motivates and trains appraisal department staff relative to individual responsibilities, bank policy and banking regulations.
• Organizes training as necessary for lenders, lending managers and credit risk managers to assure effective knowledge of the bank's appraisal policy and bank regulations.
• Ensures lending, risk management, and bank management's compliance with bank policy and banking regulations.
• Identifies, assesses, recommends, engages, implements and monitors third-party resources as needed for appraisal process management, appraisal engagement and appraisal review.
• Oversees the maintenance of the bank's approved appraiser list / database, and monitors appraiser and evaluator performance. Makes recommendations to management, as needed.
• Qualify external third party appraisers for approved appraiser list.
• Conduct and lead the review team to perform thorough analyses of commercial and residential appraisal reports and evaluations for accuracy, reasonable assumptions, supportable conclusions, appropriate technical analysis, current market conditions, and ensures compliance with policies and all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Act as a resource and subject matter expert for appraisal-related underwriting questions.
• Demonstrates leadership and resourcefulness in communications and interactions with the appraisal staff, lenders, other bank associates, auditors and third-party vendors.
• Responsible for adhering to the department's budget by monitoring budget performance on an ongoing basis through budget variance analysis. May be responsible for developing the department's budget on an annual basis.
• Regularly attends appraisal industry-related seminars and roundtables.
• Provides direct reports with proper tools and authority to execute their assigned functions and develops skills of staff through goal-setting, coaching, problem resolution, delegation, training, counseling, and performance management.

Core Skills and Qualifications:

• H.S. Diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Real Estate or relevant course of study required. Master's degree preferred.
• 5+ years recent experience in commercial and residential real estate appraisal in both traditional and/or investment bank environments, which includes a minimum of 3 - 5 years in a leadership / appraisal management role, and working knowledge and experience with the residential appraisal and review process required.
• Financial services industry experience in a multi-state environment and experience as an in-house review appraiser within the commercial banking industry preferred.
• State Certified - General Real Estate Appraiser designation within the Bank's footprint required.
• Appraisal designation preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education, experience and advanced income property appraisal coursework may be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver exceptional customer service and maintain client relationships, both internally and externally.
• Highly developed interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively, clearly and persuasively in a variety of settings, formats, and audiences; with the ability to read, write, speak, and understand English well.
• Strategic approach to decision-making with proven ability to analyze information, develop strategies and deliver results.
• Strong management / leadership skills are required to motivate and develop a high performance work team and monitor workflow and schedules in multi-site / remote locations; employee development, performance management, training, and employee counseling skills are required.
• Strong working knowledge of lending practices, policies, procedures, disclosures and terminology related to banking laws, regulatory requirements, and legal documents.
• Strong technical and analytical reasoning skills to synthesize information accurately and effectively to understand and interpret regulatory requirements and appropriately apply principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies to the position.
• Strong planning, organizational, time management and follow up skills, demonstrating a strong sense of urgency and ability to execute quickly, timely and efficiently, ensuring that priorities are set and commitments and deadlines are met, with minimal direction and supervision.
• Thorough understanding of complex real estate transactions and associated risks.
• Ability to review commercial and residential real estate collateral to identify banking and USPAP violations, as well as appraiser's errors in methodology or logic.
• Thorough understanding and application of principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies, related to assigned areas of oversight, in a multi- state environment,
• Unquestionable integrity in handling sensitive and confidential information required.
• Proficient use and understanding of MS Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook), with the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies quickly. Working knowledge of appraisal systems required.

Work Environment/Conditions:

• Climate controlled office environment.
• Work involves being able to concentrate on the matter at hand, under sometimes distracting work conditions, and frequent employee and customer contacts and interruptions during the day.
• Occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

Physical Demands/Effort:

• Work may involve the constant use of computer screens, reading of reports, and sitting throughout the day.
• Ability to operate a computer keyboard, multi-line telephone, photocopier, scanner and facsimile which often requires dexterity of hands and fingers with repetitive wrist and hand motion.
• Typically sitting at a desk or table; intermittently standing, stooping, bending at the waist, walking, climbing, kneeling or crouching to file materials

Travel Time:

Occasional travel 10 20% to inspect properties and site visits, attend off-site meetings, meet regularly with remote staff, with willingness to travel to other branch and department locations when needed; overnight travel may be required; valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and access to reliable transportation; or the ability to access and utilize an alternative method of transportation, when needed, to carry out job-related essential functions.

At Heritage Bank, we work hard, but we also know how important it is to take time off to stay healthy, relax, and spend time doing what makes your heart happy!

As part of our team, you'll enjoy a total rewards package, which includes base salary based on the role, experience, and skill set, along with an exceptional benefits package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), community volunteer time), and generous time off policy. Full-time team members receive a minimum of 10 paid vacation days annually* and eight hours of paid sick leave per month*, while also enjoying 11 paid holidays each calendar year, and an annual float day. *pro-rated from start date and/or hours worked.

Heritage Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by applicable law.