Right of Way Appraiser (Nashville, TN)

By Tessa Andres | March 15, 2023

Tennessee Department of Transportation is accepting applications for a Right of Way Appraiser in Nashville, TN. 

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, REGION 3 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT , DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position is located in Region 3 Project Development

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Possession of an active Certified General Real Estate Appraiser License and one year of certified general real property appraisal work.

Other Requirements

Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:
  1. upon appointment, applicants must possess an active Certified General Real Estate Appraiser License as issued by the Tennessee Real Estate Appraiser Commission and a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
Examination Method: Education and Experience,100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Job Overview

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional right-of-way review appraisal and appraisal review work for considerable difficulty, and performs related work as required.
Distinguishing Features:  The incumbent in this class performs appraisals and appraisal reviews of property acquired by the State. This class differs from the Right-of-Way Appraiser 2 in that an incumbent of the latter performs appraisals and appraisal reviews of properties of lesser value and/or complexity. This class differs from the Right-of-Way Appraiser 4 in that an incumbent of the latter functions in a supervisory capacity.

Work Activities

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:
  1. Determines final estimate value through approval of appraisal or review report.
  2. Approves or denies the appraisal report.
  3. Resolves appraisal issues identified through review process in order to arrive at an acceptable value estimate.
Processing Information:
  1. Defines appraisal problem to determine the market value of the affected property.
  2. Evaluates appropriate approaches needed for the valuation and/or analysis of the subject property.
Analyzing Data or Information:
  1. Reviews appraisal analyses, judgments, and conclusions concerning land values (includes improvements, damages, and benefits of various tracts).
  2. Reconciles appropriate approaches needed for the valuation and/or analysis of the subject property.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:
  1. Conducts review appraisals for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and compliance with State and Federal laws and specifications.
  2. Compares right of way plan(s) to field inspection and data research to determine accuracy and define appraisal problem.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material:
  1. Conducts field inspections of properties and market area to determine accuracy/reliability of appraisal report.
  2. Conducts field inspections of properties and market area for valuation analysis.
Getting Information:
  1. Gathers documents, including public records and other pertinent data sources which support right-of-way appraisal decisions and ensure appraisals meet federal, state and departmental guidelines.
  2. Researches deeds and comparable property market data to obtain information that will be used in the appraisal and/or review process.
  3. Makes regular contacts with the general public, persons in other departments, divisions or outside organizations and representatives for the purpose of furnishing or obtaining information.
  4. Researches policies, procedures, guidelines, rules, regulations and laws related to the appraisal process.
  5. Receives and collect right of way plans from appropriate source to determine affected property.
Documenting/Recording Information:
  1. Writes final determination of values for each tract/appraisal.
  2. Completes appraisals by entering data (amount of land to be acquired) on necessary forms, adding supporting material such as photographs.
  3. Writes narrative passages, where appropriate, detailing appraisal procedures.
  4. Scans appropriate documentation into database for archival.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:
  1. Meets with property owners to inspect the property and explain right of way process.
  2. Testifies and gives depositions in hearings on behalf of the state as an expert witness.
  3. Communicates project information with consultants to ensure project milestones are met accurately and on time.
  4. Participates in Right of Way and public meetings.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People:
  1. Completes evaluations to determine quality of appraiser performance and work documents.
  2. Reviews appraisals submitted by property owners for compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) to determine acceptability for the negotiation process.
  3. Compares appraisals submitted by property owners to departmental appraisals to determine acceptability for the negotiation process.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:
  1. Interprets a variety of current rules, regulations, policies, procedures and documentation for Attorney General, property owners and/or their representatives, and elected officials.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:
  1. Categorizes property types, features, and improvements by research and/or visual inspection to assist in the determination or verification of property value.
Interacting With Computers:
  1. Uses office productivity software including but not limited to work processing programs, spreadsheet programs, presentation software, email programs, and search engines.
  2. Uses appropriate database tracking software specific to state and agency as required.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:
  1. Organizes and prioritizes personal workload using calendars, lists, and other facilitators to ensure timely and accurate completion of work.
  2. Incorporates last minute and unscheduled tasks into current workload to ensure timely and accurate completion of work.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:
  1. Monitors project schedules to ensure appraisal documents are delivered in a timely manner.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information:
  1. Estimates cost of right of way for project planning purposes by compiling market data research to create a cost estimate.
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others:
  1. Advises internal and external business partners on the appropriate application of departmental, state, and federal laws, rules, regulation, guidelines, policies, and procedures relating to real property valuation.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:
  1. Maintains an open dialogue with internal business partners to ensure effective and efficient communications.
  2. Communicates with assigned supervisor to ensure accurate and timely receipt of instructions of work assignments.
  3. Communicates work related information to peers to facilitate teamwork and coordinate effort.
  4. Communicates with officials at higher levels on situations requiring cooperation and explanation of the services and activities of the agency.
  5. Participates in meetings as required to provide and gather status updates for assigned workload.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:
  1. Networks with internal and external business partners to ensure open dialogues exist and to facilite coordination and unified effort.
  2. Maintains professional working relationships with peers and with upper management to ensure smooth and effective team operations.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others:
  1. Maintains a respectful and productive work environment within the assigned work unit to minimize disputes and facilite performance.
  2. Reports internal and external conflicts, complaints, and other issues to assigned supervisor and appropriate reporting authority as required.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:
  1. Attends training as required to ensure continual learning and current knowledge of the field and maintenance of appraiser certification.
  2. Seeks out work related developmental opportunities for self to improve performance and team efficiency.
  3. Maintains required valid motor vehicle operator's license.
Scheduling Work and Activities:
  1. Schedules personal workload to ensure timely processing and account for current workload.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment:
  1. Operates vehicle to transport self and equipment to and from work related activities.
Coaching and Developing Others:
  1. Provides mentoring to coworkers and other employees to facilitate development and job performance.
Performing Administrative Activities:
  1. Scans, uploads, faxes and/or emails backup copies of appraisal documentation for filing and/or providing information to appropriate individuals.
  2. Enters personal time and leave/overtime requests into the appropriate databases as required.
  3. Responds to email, phone calls, and other correspondence as required.
Thinking Creatively:
  1. Creates spreadsheets, presentations, forms, form letters, memos and other items necessary for communicating with property owners.
  2. Develops process improvement suggestions to streamline workflow and improve process cycle times and accuracy.
  3. Participates in brainstorming sessions to develop process streamlining initiatives and improve business practices.
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment:
  1. Drafts and plots by sketching on paper simple designs and layouts of property and improvements.
Performing General Physical Activities:
  1. Walks property when appropriate to perform appraisal inspection.
  2. Lifts and carries job related job materials.
Competencies:
  1. Decision Quality
  2. Problem Solving
  3. Technical Learning
  4. Time Management
  5. Informing
  6. Standing Alone
  7. Perseverance
  8. Written Communication
  9. Ethics and Values
  10. Self-Development
Knowledge:
  1. Basic knowledge of clerical tasks including use of Microsoft office products, filing and other required equipment and software.
  2. Basic knowledge of design plans.
  3. Intermediate knowledge of building components including materials and construction type.
  4. Intermediate knowledge of structural design elements.
  5. Intermediate reading comprehension.
  6. Intermediate knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and guidelines related to the appraisal process.
  7. Intermediate knowledge of financial mathematics.
  8. Intermediate knowledge of economics and accounting including financial statements, operating information and other financial documents.
Skills:
  1. Active Learning
  2. Active Listening
  3. Critical Thinking
  4. Complex Problem Solving
  5. Quality Control Analysis
  6. Basic skill of speaking to individuals or small groups.
  7. Basic skill of negotiation.
  8. Basic skill of social perceptiveness.
  9. Intermediate skill in the application of mathematics including algebra, geometry and financial formulas.
  10. Intermediate skill of writing and preparing reports, letters, and other necessary documents                .
  11. Intermediate skill of time management and timely decision making.
Abilities:
  1. Deductive Reasoning
  2. Mathematical Reasoning
  3. Oral Comprehension
  4. Oral Expression
  5. Written Comprehension
  6. Written Expression
  7. Visualization
  8. Inductive Reasoning
  9. Time Sharing
  10. Speech Clarity
  11. Speech Recognition

Tools and Equipment Used

  1. Personal Computer
  2. Telephone
  3. Fax Machine
  4. Printer
  5. Vehicles

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

  • A valid driver's license
  • For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.

To learn more and apply for this position, click here.

Learn more about TDOT here.

Posted in Career Opportunities, Career Opportunities in Tennessee