Chief Real Estate Appraiser

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via PennDOT seeks a Chief Real Estate Appraiser to lead appraisal teams and manage complex property valuations for transportation projects. You will supervise staff, coordinate large projects, and ensure adherence to USPAP, Pub 378, and departmental policies.

The role involves public engagement, collaboration with engineers and attorneys, and oversight of contracting with fee appraisers. Residency in PA is required.

Qualifications

• Active Pennsylvania Certified General Appraiser certification is required.
• Active motor vehicle license is required.
• You must meet PA residency requirements and be able to perform essential job functions.
• Minimum experience: either one year as General Real Estate Appraiser or three years of professional real estate appraisal experience including one year appraising all property types.

Responsibilities

• Staff supervision: plan, organize, assign and review appraisal work.
• Complex appraisals: complete and supervise difficult appraisals and value estimates.
• Project coordination: manage multiple appraisal projects and communicate with engineers and attorneys.
• Compliance oversight: ensure adherence to USPAP, Pub 378, and department policies.
• Contract management: oversee fee appraiser contracting and reports.
• Public engagement: attend meetings and provide testimony as needed.

Skills

Staff supervision

Complex appraisals

Project coordination

Compliance oversight (USPAP)

Contract management

Public engagement

Driver's license

Education

Pennsylvania Certified General Appraiser

Job description

THE POSITION

Are you ready to lead high-impact real estate decisions that shape transportation projects across Pennsylvania? As a Chief Real Estate Appraiser with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), you will have the fulfilling opportunity to guide complex appraisal work that supports public initiatives throughout the Commonwealth. You will lead staff, coordinate large-scale efforts, and help ensure accurate and compliant property valuations. This role allows you to use your expertise to solve challenging issues and support community needs. If you are an experienced leader who values precision and public service, we want to meet you!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position oversees appraisal work, supervises staff, and manages complex real estate valuation activities that support transportation projects across the Commonwealth. Your work will involve coordination, evaluation, communication, and adherence to state and federal requirements. As a Chief Real Estate Appraiser, you will perform the following duties:

• Staff Supervision: Plan, organize, assign, and review staff appraisal work while overseeing performance and development
• Complex Appraisals: Complete and supervise difficult appraisal activities, determine compensable damages, and evaluate value estimates
• Project Coordination: Manage multiple appraisal projects, support project delivery, and communicate with engineers, attorneys, and consultants
• Compliance Oversight: Ensure appraisals follow Pub 378, Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the Uniform Act, and departmental policies
• Contract Management: Oversee fee appraiser contracting, review reports, maintain appraisal records, and ensure timely completion
• Public Engagement: Attend meetings, explain appraisal topics to the public, and support litigation through expert testimony

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• This position may be eligible for alternate work schedule (AWS).
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 3 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Uniontown. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Required Experience, Training & Eligibility

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• One year as a General Real Estate Appraiser (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of professional real estate appraisal experience which includes one year appraising all types of real property.

Special Requirements

• All positions require possession of an active Pennsylvania Certified General Appraiser certification.
• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.

Other Requirements

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.