Ag Careers

Northwest Farm Credit Services is in search of a Forester Appraiser to join our Appraisal team in our Chehalis, Washington branch. Other Western Washington or Western Oregon Branches will be considered, with Chehalis as the preferred location. As a member-owned financial cooperative, we help business owners in agriculture, forestry and fisheries secure the financing they need to operate and grow, and the crop insurance they need to protect their livelihoods. Our customers are primarily located in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Northwest FCS is a five-time recipient of the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award, and the top scoring large company in the Best Place to Work-Inland Northwest competition five years in a row.

This full-time exempt position reports to the VP-Appraisal Services and is responsible for completing appraisals within an assigned area, developing and analyzing market data to maintain association data-bases, and providing forestry consulting activities. This position is intended for experienced certified appraisers or junior level foresters seeking an appraisal opportunity. Please note, the selected candidate will be required to obtain appraisal certification, which is a three year process.

Compensation Information

Appraiser- $ 67,839 - $98,367; bonus target is 15% of salary

Senior Appraiser - $78,693 - $114,106; bonus target is 20% of salary

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Completes appraisals and evaluations of loan collateral following sound appraisal principles, valuation techniques, and association procedures. This involves travel to visually inspect and value real estate, improvements, fixtures, machinery and timber.
• Collects, verifies and documents sales information maintained in association databases.
• Develops and maintains accurate and usable market studies. This involves traveling to selected areas to determine the value of various types and quality of similar properties.
• Develops, maintains and provides information required for association appraisal reports.
• Effectively works with outside parties and customers; travels to customer locations as needed.
• Provides forestry consulting activities that include inventory due diligence, forest management evaluation, and timber valuation.
• Promotes community and customer relationships.

Benefits Offered 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Basic term life and AD&D insurance (fully paid for by the company)
• Paid days off annually: 15 vacation, 10 sick, 11 holidays and 3 volunteer
• 401(k) plan (6% match plus 3% employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Jeans/appropriate casual dress code

Details about insurance and retirement benefits are available at: https://www.farmcreditfoundations.com/fcfbenefits

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender orientation, national origin, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable discrimination laws.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry or a related natural resource, resource business or economics degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to obtain appraisal certification or current state appraisal certification. Appraisal certification is a 3 year qualification process. 
• Knowledge of appraisal principles, techniques and association procedures
• Knowledge of local agricultural practices, crop and livestock production
• Knowledge of common agricultural practices and agricultural economics
• Ability to understand and interpret complex financial information, and develop discounted cash flow analysis
• Knowledge of forest inventory techniques with ability to interpret various inventory reports.
• Ability to travel up to 25%

About Northwest Farm Credit Services

As a member-owned financial cooperative, we help business owners in agriculture, forestry and fisheries secure the financing they need to operate and grow, and the crop insurance they need to protect their livelihoods. Our customers are primarily located in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Northwest FCS is a five-time recipient of the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award, and the top scoring large company in the Best Place to Work-Inland Northwest competition five years in a row.

Connections working at Northwest Farm Credit Services