Appraisal and Environmental Manager

Appraisal And Environmental Manager

The Appraisal and Environmental Manager (AEM) is responsible for the end-to-end governance of the Bank's appraisal and environmental review processes, from ordering through final delivery, review, and acceptance of appraisal and environmental reports. This role ensures that all appraisal and environmental review activities support safe lending practices, comply with applicable regulatory and policy requirements, and effectively mitigate collateral valuation and environmental risk. The Appraisal and Environmental Manager will oversee team members, third-party appraisers, environmental consultants, and appraisal reviewers, will manage the Bank's appraisal and environmental review workflows, supports lending teams through expert guidance, and serves as a key risk partner to the Chief Risk Officer.

Appraisal and Environmental Process Oversight

• Direct and manage the appraisal and environmental review lifecycles, including ordering, engagement, monitoring, review, and final acceptance of appraisal, environmental, and related review reports.
• Ensure appraisal and environmental review requirements are appropriately identified during intake and ordering, aligning collateral analysis and environmental due diligence with loan structure, property type, risk profile, and intended credit use.
• Serve as a liaison between lending staff, branches, internal departments, contracted appraisers, environmental consultants, appraisal reviewers, and applicable third-party appraisal and environmental management platforms.
• Monitor timelines and deliverables to ensure appraisals and environmental reviews are completed within established service level expectations.
• Support the environmental review process via the Environmental Review Officer (ERO), including determining appropriate report scope, coordinating Phase I and other environmental assessments as needed, reviewing findings, tracking required follow-up, and escalating material environmental concerns. Function as a backup for the ERO, as needed.
• Completion of collateral valuation reviews on an as needed basis.

Third Party Appraiser & Reviewer Management

• Oversee performance, quality, independence, and timeliness of all contracted appraisers and appraisal reviewers.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, service level reviews, and quality assessments; maintain performance grading and documentation.
• Manage and maintain the Bank's Approved Appraisers and Reviewers Lists, ensuring licenses, insurance, competencies, and independence requirements are current and documented.
• Recommend additions, removals, or status changes to the Approved Appraisers List to the Chief Risk Officer.
• Coordinate inquiries, revisions, corrections, and clarifications with appraisers and reviewers to support timely and compliant completion.
• Risk, Compliance & Quality Assurance
• Ensure appraisal and environmental reviews meet all applicable standards, internal policy requirements, and regulatory expectations, including USPAP, FIRREA, Interagency Appraisal Guidelines, and environmental risk management guidance.
• Provide final sign-off on appraisal reviews and periodically on environmental reviews, accepted by the Bank, confirming appropriateness of conclusions and minimizing collateral, valuation, and environmental risk.
• Maintain, enhance, and enforce the Bank's appraisal and environmental review policies and related procedures in coordination with Appraisal and Environmental team members.
• Participate in internal audits, regulatory examinations, and risk reviews related to the appraisal and environmental review processes; assist in issue remediation and auditor/examiner responses as needed.

Systems, Training & Process Improvement

• Administer and optimize the Bank's appraisal and environmental review management workflows to reflect organizational needs, regulatory expectations, and process efficiencies.
• Provide training, guidance, and ongoing support to lending personnel on appraisal and environmental review requirements, policy expectations, and workflow usage.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, efficiency gains, and risk reduction within the appraisal and environmental review functions.

Leadership & People Management

• Provide direct leadership to assigned staff, including goal setting, performance management, coaching, and professional development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, quality, collaboration, and regulatory compliance within the appraisal function.

Regulatory & Compliance Responsibilities

• Comply with all applicable State and Federal banking regulations and internal policies, including but not limited to BSA/AML, OFAC, CIP, Fair Lending, Financial Elder Abuse Reporting, Information Security, Privacy, and Sexual Harassment policies.
• Identify and escalate suspicious activity, operational concerns, or compliance risks to supervisory staff and/or the BSA department as required.
• Complete all mandatory compliance training and assigned professional development programs.

Required Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of appraisal laws, regulations, and professional standards, including USPAP and FIRREA.
• Extensive expertise in commercial real estate appraisal methodologies and practices.
• Working knowledge of residential real estate appraisal practices.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements impacting appraisals, including Fair Housing Act, RESPA, HMDA, UDAAP, and related guidance.
• Strong knowledge of environmental due diligence concepts, environmental report types, and risk considerations affecting commercial real estate collateral.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and manage multiple deadlines.
• Elevated level of customer service orientation and professional diplomacy.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, Visio).
• Ability to research and navigate the Bank's core systems (e.g., JHA).
• Familiarity with commercial and/or residential loan underwriting preferred.
• Ability to manage difficult conversations and interact professionally with challenging stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail.

Equipment Operated

• Operates standard electronic computers and customary office equipment required to perform essential job functions.
• Use of equipment is required, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Nothing in this description is intended to limit the availability of reasonable accommodation under applicable law.

• Ability to perform repetitive movements associated with office and computer-based work.
• Ability to sit and or stand for extended periods of time to perform essential job functions.
• Ability to lift, carry, or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to manage, manipulate, or feel objects and operate standard office equipment.
• Work is primarily performed in an office environment with a controlled temperature and standard office conditions.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Finance, Real Estate, or a related field.
• Certified General Real Estate Appraiser license required; MAI designation strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of commercial real estate appraisal experience.
• 5+ years' experience managing an appraisal and/or environmental review function or related third-party risk process within a financial institution, preferably a regional bank organization.

Minimum Absence Requirement

Some positions within the Bank have been designated as sensitive positions due to access to critical systems, records, or processes. In accordance with Bank policy and sound internal?control practices, employees in sensitive positions are required to complete a mandatory consecutive absence from essential duties each calendar year to support segregation of duties and independent review.

The required absence will be scheduled in coordination with management to ensure continuity of operations. Administration of absence, including paid or unpaid status, will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour and leave laws, including California requirements.

Required Minimum Absence for This Position: Two (2) Consecutive Weeks

Officer Title Eligibility

For qualified positions, the Bank may designate an Officer Title based on the role's job level, scope of responsibility, and alignment with established competency frameworks. Eligibility for an Officer Title designation is contingent upon the employee meeting defined competency, performance, and experience requirements and is governed by applicable Bank policies, governance standards, and required approval processes.

This position is eligible for the following Officer Title(s): Vice President, First Vice President

Compensation

The listed range represents the full compensation range for this position. Placement within the range will be determined based on factors including skills, relevant experience, job?related qualifications, geographic location, and internal equity,