Does working outdoors with a fair amount of time spent in the office seem like the perfect work setting to you?  Are you comfortable traveling and working independently in rural settings to inspect and valuate commodities, livestock, and equipment?  Have great people skills and appreciate opportunities to interact with others? 

If you have a willingness to learn and this appeals to you then we encourage you to apply for our Chattel/Real Estate Valuator Trainee position.  We’re an energetic and family oriented company that is looking for a passionate individual to join our appraisal team that supports those that feed the world.

Apply at Careers | Golden State Farm Credit or learn more about the position.  

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday, August 22nd 2025 at 3pm 

Salary Range:   $50,557 - $74,948

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Position Summary

The Chattel Trainee aids in tracking commodity and livestock prices, inspects livestock, equipment and commodities, and participates in developing a value conclusion. The Chattel Trainee will assist in making crop inspections and write crop inspection reports for credit staff.  The Chattel Trainee also may help the Chattel Valuator complete Real Estate Valuations for internal clients by participating in inspecting, researching, analyzing, and valuing real estate as a support function to the real estate appraisal department

 Essential Functions

•  Chattel Inspections (30%)
  • Assists in completing physical inspections of livestock, equipment, growing crops, and feed inventories to determine type, age, quality, quantity, condition, and utility of chattel
  • Meets together with Chattel Valuator and with customers and helps determine what content to include to determine value
• Chattel Valuation Services (30%)
  • Aids Chattel Valuator in determining what information is most pertinent for reporting purposes
  • Helps determine, analyze, and apply the appropriate approaches to value
  • Assists in concluding an opinion of value
  • Helps provide a summary of the valuation process and conclusions in a written valuation report
  • Provides help to ensure valuations meet GSFC and general industry expectations and guidelines
• Price Tracking (10%)
  • Attends livestock and equipment auctions to stay informed and aware of the market
  • Attends meetings to stay informed of trends influencing various commodities, farming practices, and other pertinent topics
  • Helps maintain database tracking prices for various commodities, livestock, and equipment
  • Participates in communicating findings to internal appraisal and credit staff
  • Participates with committees in setting Association approved commodity and livestock prices
• Real Estate Valuation Inspections (5%)
  • Assists in completing physical inspections of subject properties including buildings, land, permanent plantings, water systems/resources, and other property characteristics
  • Participates in completing physical inspections of comparable sales
• Real Estate Valuation Services (5%)
  • Helps collect and analyze specific property and general market data
  • Researches, confirms, analyzes, inspects, and enters sales and rental information in the Association’s database
  • Aids staff in determining the highest and best use of the subject property
  • Assists in selecting the market data that is most appropriate for the valuation of the subject
  • Helps conclude an opinion of value
  • Assists in writing a summary of the subject property’s physical characteristics, valuation process, and value conclusion in a written report
  • Helps ensure valuations meet the company expectations and guidelines
• Communication (20%)
  • Provides written and verbal communication with internal and external customer base
  • Assists the Chattel Valuator throughout the valuation/lending process
  • Helps identify areas of concern specific to the subject property/chattel and, in conjunction with Chattel Valuator, consults with appropriate internal and external staff as needed
  • Represents the Association at various community events
• Data Security and Confidentiality
  • Appropriately protects the confidentiality, security, and integrity of the Association’s systems and data and clients’ data

• Commitment and Support of Association Mission

                Understands, applies, and supports the Association mission and vision statement in a positive, professional manner at work and with customers in all settings

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of the agriculture, financial and real estate industry, and applied business mathematics and principles.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, computers, current appraisal-related software, and other office tools.
• Ability to effectively read, write, and communicate in the English language.
• Skill in serving and working effectively with both external and internal customers in a professional, respectful manner.
• Skill in analyzing information and problem solving to formulate logical and objective conclusions.
• Knowledge of title issues, easements, and legal descriptions.
• Knowledge of typical crops and land uses, equipment types/uses, building types/uses, livestock, and yield potential.
• Knowledge of soil and drainage characteristics, ground/surface water resources, and accompanying regulations.
• Knowledge, understanding, and application of appraisal concepts, regulations, processes, and procedures related to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices.
• Knowledge, understanding, and application of appropriate industry expectations and guidelines in the valuation of chattel and real property

Qualifications: You will be a Chattel Trainee until the you meet the minimum qualifications of a Chattel Valuator I

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Business, or Agricultural Science. Background or experience in agriculture or chattel/real estate valuation is preferred. Must demonstrate an interest and desire for a career in chattel and real estate valuation.
• No appraisal licenses are required. Chattel classes from professional appraisal organization are required. The basic Chattel Valuation class offered by ASFMRA, along with Basic Appraisal Principles and Basic Appraisal Procedures are required prior to moving up to Chattel/Real Estate Valuator I. Increasingly advanced chattel valuation & real estate appraisal classes are required for Chattel/Real Estate Valuator II and Senior Chattel/Real Estate Valuator levels.

Physical Demands

Positions in this class requires:  typing, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.  May be required to lift up to 20 pounds, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects while completing essential functions.  This position is comprised of some sedentary work which involves sitting at a computer a portion of the workday; walking and standing are required regularly. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer screen, and/or reading extensively. Also requires:  climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, grasping, walking on uneven surfaces and/or confined areas.

Working Conditions

This position is subject to office and outdoor working conditions with variable work hours.  Indoor Office Conditions:  Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Outdoor Conditions:  Employees may be subjected to environmental conditions and atmospheric conditions, including: dusts, fumes, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, and intense noises. This position requires approximately 40% travel time. In both environments employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Note

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by associates assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. Golden State Farm Credit is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.