Job Description

Senior Review Appraiser

Under general direction, performs a variety of complex senior level or lead duties in assigned area of responsibility in support of Sound Transit's (ST) real property program including property appraisal, appraisal review, acquisition, relocation, surplus property sales, and related activities and services; manages schedule, budget, and interface with project controls; monitors and supervises assigned consultants hired to carry out tasks and provide advanced technical support, analysis and leadership to staff and consultants regarding real estate on various assigned projects; counsels project managers on alternative ways to achieve real estate objectives; performs complex appraisal evaluation of properties using specialized technical concepts; directs and reviews appraisal valuation support for planned ST projects and real estate project budgets; and resolves conflicts and problems that occur as a result of property acquisitions projects.

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Develops scopes of work for appraisals and provides consultants with appropriate recommendations; coordinates these activities with Sound Transit staff, consultants, and the legal department; negotiates, drafts, and reviews documents; meets with supervisor about project related problems and issues; discusses strategies for solutions.
• Applies ST's policy and procedures for appraisal process; reviews appraisal process to ensure consistency with federal and state regulations; coordinates with line of business project manager to prioritize parcels; determines appraisal scope, fees and delivery schedule on a property by property basis; communicates with ST environmental, consultant appraisers and reviewers to coordinate assignments, property owner contacts and schedule; conducts field review of properties and discusses any issues with ST environmental, appraisers, and reviewers.
• Tracks appraisal assignments and provides status updates to stakeholders; recommends work authorization and coordinates delivery of relevant property information to appraisers; monitors, coordinates, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work activities of appraisal consultants and contractors.
• Leads, coordinates, schedules, assigns, and inspects the daily work activities of consultants and contractors. Provides oversight to consultants in due diligence process including title, survey, and appraisal; reviews benefit calculations conducted; conducts and coordinates weekly meetings with Sound Transit staff and consultants regarding project status to validate scope, schedule and budget; determines issues to be resolved to maintain schedules, including acquisition, relocation, title and/or legal issues; and provides direction to consultants in acquiring real estate and relocation.
• Reviews claim packages for signature for property acquisition closings and document packages sent to legal for condemnation.
• Represents the Agency in sensitive briefings related to relocation issues; prepares supporting documentation prior to briefings and prepares detailed summaries documenting interactions with property owners to identify all requests by all parties; summarize commitments approved during each briefing to all stakeholders for record in coordination with agency stakeholders.
• Assembles complete federal transit administration (FTA) package to associated FTA checklist for concurrence and approval as required; upon receipt of concurrence, forwards copy of FTA concurrence letter to acquisition project manager; and updates appropriate project tracking databases with all changes.
• Consults with ST legal on real estate acquisition mediation and relocation court cases; provides real estate valuations services and/or relocation estimates for the development of real estate budgets for existing and planned projects; researches, analyzes, and makes recommendations on a variety of real estate issues as they may impact budget forecasting process to include relocation for comparable replacement properties and comparable rents.
• Develops and maintains the Agency's policies and procedures related to the overall appraisal program; reviews appraisal process to ensure consistency with federal and state regulations; coordinates with line of business project manager to prioritize parcels; determines appraisal scope, fees and delivery schedule on a property by property basis; communicates with appropriate stakeholders to coordinate assignments, property owner contacts and schedule; conducts field review of properties and discusses any issues with ST environmental, appraisers, and reviewers.
• Tracks appraisal assignments; submits work authorization and property information to appraisers according to established procedures; identifies partial takes that can be cured and forwards to appraiser; requests construction cost estimates to affect the cure including any necessary sign relocations to be included in appraisal; identifies needs and problems, including fixtures, parking, building consultant requirements; updates appropriate project tracking databases with new information; reports issues and changes to the ST line of business project manager; and coordinates delivery of environmental cost information to appraiser as necessary.
• Provides support to the department on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees as assigned; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Insurance and Real Estate, Finance, or closely related field; Four years of experience in real estate including real property acquisition, relocation assistance, and real estate appraisal and review that includes one year leading or supervising staff and projects; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications: Current Washington State Certified General Appraiser License.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications: Professional appraisal designation such as MAI or R/W-AC

Required Knowledge and Skills: Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisition. The Uniform Relocation Act. Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a real property program including real estate appraisal, acquisition, relocation, property management and disposition. Principles and practices of program development and administration. Real estate principles and practices related to the appraisal, acquisition, management, and sale of public real property assets. Relocation assistance principles and practices and laws governing condemnation proceedings. Laws, practices, and legal instruments involved in real estate transactions and contracting. Principles and methods utilized in the appraisal of real property for acquisition by a public agency under the threat of condemnation. Principles and practices used in contract preparation and administration. Negotiation practices and techniques. Principles and practices of customer service, confidentiality, and sensitivity when working with the public. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration. Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation. English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases. Supervisory/lead principles, methods and techniques. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other division staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public. Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies. Applying principles and techniques of acquiring real property including handling complex negotiations, mediation, and/or managing the condemnation process. Applying sensitivity skills when working with the public. Reading, understanding, and interpreting complex documents involved in land transactions including title reports, right-of-way plans, legal and technical documents, and financial statements. Reading and understanding terms and symbols as used in engineering, architectural drawings, and construction plans. Reading, understanding, and interpreting documents involved in real property transactions. Working effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities. Applying project management techniques and principles. Preparing clear and concise administrative and financial reports. Applying appropriate oral and written communication techniques to various individuals ranging from Agency employees, the general public, elected officials, community leaders, and local, state, and federal agencies. Monitoring program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules. Leading and delegating daily tasks, communicating, and providing feedback and work direction. Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.

Physical Demands / Work Environment: Work is performed in a standard office and field environment. Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise. This position is responsible for building inspections, field visits interacting with outside consultant and reading detailed appraisal reports and may be subject to walking, talking, seeing, bending, climbing, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, repetitive motion, and reaching. The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

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