Job Description

JOB TITLE: Appraiser

LOCATION: Senatobia Branch, Senatobia, Mississippi

This is not a remote position

SALARY: Commensurate with Experience and Qualifications

REPORTS TO: Chief Appraisal Officer

COMPANY PROFILE:

Mississippi Land Bank is a financial institution that provides financing for agriculture, agribusiness and rural real estate purchase and improvements. The institution is headquartered in Senatobia, Mississippi with six full-time branches that services 32 counties in Northern Mississippi. With more than $1 billion in assets, the institution is a cooperative and part of the Farm Credit System.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Forestry, Natural Resources, Wildlife or Fisheries, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Real Estate, Business, Finance, Engineering, Geography/GIS, or a related technical or professional discipline. Equivalent combinations of education and directly related experience may be considered. or equivalent experience and two (2) to five (5) years of experience in the area of real estate appraisal with emphasis on appraising agricultural producing properties or collateral evaluation. Licensed Appraiser, Certified Residential Appraiser or Certified General Appraiser required.

JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Provides simple to moderately complex appraisals for agricultural and rural properties and assists senior-level appraisal staff with valuations of large and/or complex agricultural, recreational, timberland, rural residential, and special-use properties. Utilizes professional judgment, market analysis, GIS technology, aerial imagery, public records, and field inspections to develop credible opinions of value while complying with USPAP, FCA regulations, and Association policies. Exercises independent judgment in analyzing market data and property characteristics to support sound lending decisions. Works under minimum supervision.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Prepares valuations or appraisals in connection with loans secured by non-complex agricultural properties and assists with the development of valuations or appraisals of properties that may involve large and/or complex loans, specialized or highly improved properties, loans in litigation, foreclosure or bankruptcy and acquired properties. Perform collateral evaluations in compliance with district and association collateral evaluation standards and procedures on properties and other collateral throughout the association’s territory.
2. Researches, verifies, and maintains comparable sales, construction cost data, timber market information, GIS mapping resources, aerial imagery, and other valuation data necessary to develop credible opinions of value. Communicates market trends and changes in agricultural and rural land values to management.
3. Reviews contents and analyzes fee evaluations utilized in the evaluation of properties and other collateral.
4. May review appraisals performed by outside fee appraisers to ensure compliance with USPAP and association collateral evaluations standards.
5. Prepares collateral evaluation reports and all related correspondence.
6. Maintains state appraisal certification and completes continuing education required by state regulations, USPAP, and the Association. Pursues professional development in agricultural appraisal, market analysis, technology, GIS/Maping applications, and related disciplines.
7. Offers cost effective appraisals and related services.
8. Assists in monitoring the standards of conduct within the appraisal services area. Ensures that all policies, procedures and regulations are adhered to as required.
9. Conducts field inspections of agricultural and rural properties, including documenting site characteristics, improvements, timber, agricultural production, access, soils, floodplain influences, and other factors affecting market value.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

General knowledge of accounting and financial principles. Specialized knowledge of agricultural and rural property valuation methods, appraisal theory, real estate law, timberland valuation, agricultural production systems, and market analysis. Working knowledge of GIS mapping, aerial imagery, public land records, FEMA flood mapping, soils information, and construction cost resources. Skilled in research, data analysis, written and verbal communication, and Microsoft Office applications. Experience with appraisal software, mapping software, and other valuation technologies is preferred. Ability to interview realtors, and landowners in a professional manner. Ability to communicate complex valuation concepts to customers, loan officers, management, and external reviewers.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

Ability to sit for long periods of time. Ability to stand for limited periods of time. Ability to climb stairs multiple times during the day with ease. Frequent finger/hand manipulation (e.g. keyboard, office equipment, small hand tools, etc.). Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling while exerting up to 50 pounds of force. Frequent travel throughout the Association territory. Ability to traverse moderate terrain, wooded areas, agricultural fields, and rural agricultural construction sites while conducting property inspections. Such activities may include; driving, inspecting farms, timber cruising, photographing improvements, measuring buildings, interviewing landowner, verifying sales, etc.

HELPFUL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Candidates with education or experience in one or more of the following areas may be particularly well suited for this position:

• Agricultural production systems, including row crop, livestock, poultry, catfish, and specialty agriculture.
• Forestry, timberland management, timber valuation, or natural resource management.
• Rural real estate, land management, or agricultural lending.
• GIS, aerial imagery interpretation, GPS, mapping software, and public land records.
• Soil science, conservation practices, wetlands, floodplain analysis, and USDA/FSA programs.
• Construction methods, improvement cost estimation, and rural residential properties.
• Market research, data analysis, and valuation of agricultural and rural real estate.

If you meet the minimum qualifications and wish to be considered for this position, please forward a current resume to:

Mississippi Land Bank, ACA

P O Box 667

Senatobia, MS 38668

AA/EOE/M/F/D/V

WHERE YOU CAN PLANT ROOTS

At Mississippi Land Bank, you have an opportunity to make a difference for agriculture and rural communities while elevating your career. We value your skills and unique perspective, and we think you’ll like the impact you can make here and the benefits you will enjoy. Mississippi Land Bank is dedicated to fostering an engaged workplace that makes every employee feel valued, appreciated, and heard. We have a diverse, talented workforce that helps us bring a well-rounded perspective to the solutions we provide. We choose to invest in our employees, because they invest in us and work hard to make our Association successful.

If you are interested in being a part of a growing company that values its employees, develops talent, and has a passion for impacting the agricultural world then we would love to speak with you! We seek highly motivated people who foster our core values behind who we are, how we work, and how we treat others – with commitment, trust, and value. When you’re ready, check out our career opportunities While we offer a variety of lending and credit jobs, we’re more than just an agricultural lending company. We also have many support roles in areas such as accounting, appraisal and loan operations.

WHERE YOU HAVE ROOM TO GROW

It’s Mississippi Land Bank’s mission to make a difference in people’s lives – and that includes yours! We’re committed to developing an outstanding team, supporting each one to achieve his or her full potential. At Mississippi Land Bank, we strive to create a workplace environment that offers:

• a warm, collaborative and family-friendly atmosphere
• value and appreciation as a team player
• competitive compensation and benefits
• ongoing personal and professional development

We come from different walks of life. Some of us grew up on farms or in small towns. Some come from cosmopolitan cities. Together, we bring rich perspectives, specialized skills and deep expertise to our business.

At Mississippi Land Bank, we’re more than just a group of coworkers- we’re a family. We hope you will find more than just a job here. If you join the Mississippi Land Bank family, we hope you will find a fulfilling career that allows you to use your abilities to impact more.

WHERE YOU REAP YOUR HARVEST

Mississippi Land Bank believes employee satisfaction is built around a career that combines personal and professional accomplishment with financial rewards that help you build toward the future. We believe that compensation is more than just a paycheck. At Mississippi Land Bank, you’ll find a total rewards package that includes:

• Competitive pay, with paid vacation, holidays and sick leave
• Corporate incentive plan
• Medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as life and disability insurance.
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts.
• 401(k) matching contributions

Everything at Mississippi Land Bank begins from the ground up. Like our members, we work hard. But we also celebrate those who choose to spend their days working with us. We work hard, but we play hard, too. From company picnics to overnight retreats and football tailgates to birthday celebrations, we strive to make our place of business a place of happiness.