Appraisal Review Manager

At Stearns Bank, we’re helping people, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local communities nationwide reach their full financial potential. Sound like something you want to be a part of? If so, we’re currently looking for an Appraisal Review Manager to join our team! This is a fully remote position. 

Come see how we’re doing business unusual and charting our own path to reimagine a more inclusive financial services and banking ecosystem for all.

Benefits

Stearns Bank understands and respects that everyone is managing unique career, family, and wellness needs. That’s why we offer industry-leading benefits to employees to help them live healthy lives and bring their full selves to work every day. Benefits may vary for part-time positions. Some of those benefits include:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan & 401k Plan with Employer Match
• Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Telehealth, Life insurance)
• 12-week Paid Medical Leave
• Paid Parental Leave: 21-weeks Primary Care Parent, 14-weeks Secondary Care Parent
• $5,000 Family Care Reimbursement: Childcare, Elder Care, Student Loan Debt, Pet expenses, down payment assistance
• PTO from 13 to 23 days depending on tenure. Cashout and Carryover options.
• 10 Days Sick Time
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 4 Days Volunteer Time
• 2 Days Self Allowance Time
• Tuition Assistance

For this position, we anticipate an annual salary between $165,000 - $180,000. Final employment offers will be dependent upon the selected candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience.

JOB SUMMARY: Lead a team of Appraisal Reviewers, providing oversight of evaluations and reviews performed by them to ensure compliance with regulatory (FIRREA) and USPAP guidelines and Stearns Bank internal appraisal and evaluation policies and procedures. Assist with performing evaluations and reviews, as a working manager. Monitoring for changes to regulatory guidelines and market conditions which might affect policies and procedures and keeping applicable Teams informed.  

This position is critical to the bank in maintaining independence of real estate appraisal and evaluation process. A key element is the independent selection of qualified individuals to appraise and evaluate real estate; and a qualified individual who is not involved in loan production to review the reports.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly lead the Appraisal Review team to ensure compliance with departmental goals and objectives.
• Direct the department’s workflow, training, and for any direct reports, complete their performance evaluation and compensation reviews.
• Ensure departmental adherence to internal appraisal policies and procedures in accordance with regulations and laws.
• Maintain a solid understanding of all legal and regulatory compliance issues as they pertain to this position 
• Analyze market trends in real estate development, valuation, and appraisal techniques.
• Participate in Loan Committee as needed by actively providing input to discussions regarding appraisals and valuation discussions.
• Perform the functions of a Real Estate Credit Administrator as needed
  1. Assist with determining the type and level of appraisal or internal valuation that is required per the regulations for the specific loan transaction.
  2. Engage appraiser applying the standard Stearns Bank engagement letter.
  3. Review appraisal reports completed by independent appraisers, with responsibilities including making recommendations regarding the validity of the reports and challenge appraisal assumptions when appropriate.
  4. Manage a list of approved appraisers.
  5. Monitor appraisal process from engagement to review completion.
  6. Consult and assist lending personnel regarding property values, marketability, and economics related to real estate.
  7. Inspect properties under construction as deemed fundamental to verify location, compliance with plans and figuring out the percentage of completion.
  8. Maintain current knowledge of real estate values and property developments to ensure that valuations confirm with current market.
• Loss prevention and security as applicable for this position.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.  
• Ability to understand and follow instructions in English.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time, twist, bend, sit, walk use hands to twist, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, such as computer mouse, computer keyboard, calculator, stapler, telephone, staple puller, etc., reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, kneel, talk or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university or equivalent field experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of experience in residential and commercial real estate appraisals.
• Licensed and certified to perform commercial and residential real estate appraisals.

THE COMPANY

Founded in 1912, Stearns Financial Services Inc. (SFSI) is a $3.2 billion, independently owned financial institution with locations in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, and over 35,000 small business customers nationwide. Specializing in affordable housing financing, USDA and SBA lending, and small business and equipment financing, Stearns Bank is regularly recognized as one of the country’s top-performing banks and “Best Banks to Work For” by American Banker.

As a Star Tribune Top Workplaces award recipient and an award recipient of the Minnesota Business Magazine 100 Best Places to Work in Minnesota, Stearns takes pride in their team and holds their employees in extremely high regard. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package including our Employee Stock Ownership Program-one of the best long-term incentive programs in the nation. To learn more about Stearns Bank, visit www. StearnsBank.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER /AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, or creed, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, status with regard to public assistance, or any other class protected by Federal, State, local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.