Appraisal and Environmental Manager

Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach•Lakewood, CA

14d•$123,760 - $211,120•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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).
Ability to manage difficult conversations and interact professionally with challenging stakeholders.
Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance, Real Estate, or a related field.
Certified General Real Estate Appraiser license required.
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.

Nice To Haves

MAI designation strongly preferred.
Familiarity with commercial and/or residential loan underwriting preferred.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.