Independent Contractor Real Estate Appraiser Jobs in Tennessee

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, KNOX COUNTY
This position is in the ROW & Utilities Division - Region 1 Preconstruction - Appraisal Section.
For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/HR/ROW-Division-Regional-Preconstruction-Right-of-Way-Appraiser-V01-Final.pdf

This position has a starting salary of $6,834 monthly/$82,008 annually.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

TDOT ROW Appraiser 1

Bachelors degree in a related field of study as may be outlined in the position description.

TDOT ROW Appraiser 2

Possess and maintain an active Certified Residential Appraiser License as issued by the Tennessee Real Estate Appraiser Commission.

TDOT ROW Appraiser 3

Possess and maintain an active Certified General Appraiser License as issued by the Tennessee Real Estate Appraiser Commission.

Necessary Special Qualifications:

Possess and maintain a Class D driver's license valid to operate vehicles in the State of Tennessee.

Overview

The Region Right of Way (ROW) Appraiser will work both independently and in a team setting, providing support and expertise to the Region ROW Appraisal Section. This position will assist the Region ROW Appraisal Team Lead with implementing Region work plans, meeting the Section's strategic vision, and ensuring compliance with Federal and State laws and requirements pertaining to Appraisal. This position will involve the appraisal of and/or appraisal review of (1) properties being acquired as rights of way which are necessary for transportation projects and under threat of eminent domain and (2) excess land about to be sold or leased to others (3 Appraisal reviews for condemnation appraisals and court updates. The Region ROW Appraiser supports Project Teams and Project Managers by sharing insights as to project impacts, potential cost savings design options, and risk management decisions associated with project delivery.

The Region ROW Appraiser will possess and demonstrate a wide range of ROW skills and knowledge, including application of real estate principles and practices, appraisal valuation concepts, title searches, legal descriptions, instruments of conveyance, eminent domain, and related computer applications and technology. This position will also possess and demonstrate extensive skills and knowledge related to transportation projects and engineering, such as construction plans reading, the Project Delivery Network (PDN), and access management guidelines. This position will participate in Appraisal Training programs covering required proficiencies, appraiser certification, and similar courses involving class attendance, completion of training modules, and on-the-job training while working towards advancement as a ROW professional to State Certified Residential Appraiser and then to State Certified General Appraiser. The Region ROW Appraiser position must effectively communicate ROW concepts through training, mentoring, and collaboration as part of a matrix organization.

Responsibilities

Perform ROW Appraisal functions and actions taken in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (Uniform Act - PL 91-646), the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), Tennessee Statutes, and the TDOT ROW Manual to ensure that compliance/audit standards and performance measures are achieved. Maintain accurate, complete, and timely documentation of all actions taken during appraisal or appraisal review, including field inspections, property owner contacts, and notices, comparable sales research and analysis, title search verification, construction plan viability, severance damage assessment, highest and best use determination, distinguishing real property from personal property, and related tasks.

Prepare appraisals and perform appraisal reviews on non-complex level takings and tracts and form an opinion of fair market value while researching and applying policies, procedures, guidelines, rules, regulations, and laws related to the appraisal process. Gather and review documents, including public records, land sales, construction costs, business valuations, residential and commercial rents, and other pertinent data sources, which support valuation decisions. As a reviewer, establish fair market value for use in ROW negotiations and make determinations of uneconomic remainders.

Participate as a team member in Preliminary Group Inspections (PGI) on transportation projects, including discussions of risk management concerns, project impacts, access issues, cost savings analysis, scheduling, and sequencing of appraisals. Participate on Project Teams as part of a matrix organization and attend public meetings and hearings for transportation projects in support of the Project Managers and Project Teams.

Participate in on-the-job training, online courses, and classroom training to ensure fundamental right-of-way knowledge, continual learning, and career advancement, including courses required or defined by the Appraisal Institute, the Appraisal Foundation, or FHWA. Gain hands-on experience toward the State Certified Residential and Certified General Appraiser designation and learn the required foundational level skills needed to perform assigned appraisal duties and to become proficient in the competencies required for promotion.

Assist with the data collection and preparation of ROW cost estimates for a variety of purposes and with the evaluation of appraisal consultants. Assist with Local Agency training, assistance, guidance, and oversight. Assist with compliance and performance audits conducted by the IG's office, FHWA, ROW HQ, and others. Administer and manage project data in TDOT ROW Division's database program and software including IRIS.

Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers, exercise effective listening skills, assist in the implementation of policies and procedures related to ROW appraisal, provide prompt responses to all inquiries, and communicate effectively. Assist with responses to Public Records Requests involving ROW issues and assist TDOT Legal and the Attorney General's Office with eminent domain proceedings, including depositions, testimony, summary reports, and strategy sessions.

Prepare appraisals and perform appraisal reviews on intermediate-level takings and tracts and form an opinion of fair market value while researching and applying policies, procedures, guidelines, rules, regulations, and laws related to the appraisal process. Appraise or review the following types of properties: (1) tracts with greater complexity such as more severe takings, difficult title issues, commercial developments, and change of access; and (2) tracts classified as `special acquisitions' including local agency, stream mitigation, contaminated, state, Federal, and railroad.

Perform appraisal reviews, making valid assessments of taking valuations, allocation of severance damages to remainders, and determination of special benefits, with emphasis on completeness, accuracy, consistency, and supportability of judgments/conclusions. As a reviewer, establish fair market value for use in ROW negotiations and make determinations of uneconomic remainders.

Lead data collection and preparation of ROW cost estimates for a variety of purposes. Evaluate appraisal consultant performance and make the determination of appraiser consultant pre-qualification requirements. Serve as team leader on Preliminary Group Inspections (PGI) on transportation projects, including discussions of risk management concerns, project impacts, access issues, cost savings analysis, scheduling, and sequencing of appraisals. Assist with appraisal contracting and ROW project scheduling as directed.

Prepare appraisals and perform appraisal reviews on the most complex level takings and tracts and form an opinion of fair market value while researching and applying policies, procedures, guidelines, rules, regulations, and laws related to the appraisal process. Appraise or review tracts with the greatest complexity, such as most severe takings, most challenging title issues, complex commercial developments, special purpose properties, and loss of access tracts. Appraise or review the following types of properties: (1) tracts with greater complexity such as more severe takings, difficult title issues, commercial developments, and change of access; and (2) tracts classified as `special acquisitions including local agency, stream mitigation, contaminated, state, Federal, and railroad.

Perform appraisal reviews, making valid assessments of taking valuations, allocation of severance damages to remainders, and determination of special benefits, with emphasis on completeness, accuracy, consistency, and supportability of judgments/conclusions. As a reviewer, establish fair market value for use in ROW negotiations and make determinations of uneconomic remainders.

Perform direct oversight and authority over complex tract appraisals. Perform cost estimates, appraisals, and/or appraisal review work on all types of real property without statutory limitations on value. Work in a team setting with increased responsibility for performing advanced skill-level technical duties and competencies. Continue advanced training in the appraisal field, apply lessons learned, initiate the use of best practices, and assist in mentoring and training appraisal staff.

Competencies (KSA's)

TDOT ROW Appraiser I
Competencies:
1. Self-Development
2. Communicates Effectively
3. Ensures Accountability
4. Financial Acumen
5. Tech Savvy

Knowledges:
1. Transportation
2. Building and Construction
3. Law and Government

Skills:
1. Learning Strategies
2. Reading Comprehension
3. Active Learning and Listening
4. Technical Report Writing
5. Mathematics

Abilities:
1. Deductive Reasoning
2. Inductive Reasoning
3. Information Ordering
4. Mathematical Reasoning
5. Written Comprehension

TDOT ROW Appraiser 2
Competencies:
1. Instills Trust
2. Communicates Effectively
3. Ensures Accountability
4. Decision Quality
5. Manages Complexity

Knowledges:
1. Contract Management
2. Real Estate Principles and Practices
3. Uniform Act (PL 91-646)
4. Project Delivery Concepts
5. Design Plans

Skills:
1. Solving Intermediate Appraisal Problems
2. Financial and Advanced Mathematics
3. Writing Intermediate Level Technical Reports
4. Applying Transportation Engineering Principles
5. Interpreting design plans

Abilities:
1. Deductive Reasoning
2. Inductive Reasoning
3. Information Ordering
4. Mathematical Reasoning
5. Written Comprehension

TDOT ROW Appraiser 3
Competencies:
1. Instills Trust
2. Communicates Effectively
3. Ensures Accountability
4. Decision Quality
5. Manages Complexity

Knowledges:
1. Contract Management
2. Government Economy and Cost Savings
3. Uniform Act (PL 91-646)
4. Project Delivery Concepts
5. Design Plans

Skills:
1. Solving Complex Appraisal Problems
2. Financial and Advanced Mathematics
3. Writing Complex Level Technical Reports
4. Applying Transportation Engineering Principles
5. Interpreting design plans

Abilities:
1. Deductive Reasoning
2. Inductive Reasoning
3. Information Ordering
4. Mathematical Reasoning
5. Comprehending Access Management Rules

Tools & Equipment

1. Computer
2. Office and Mobile Phone
3. Calculator
4. Vehicle
5. Digital Camera