DORA/Division Of Real Estate: Compliance Investigator II

Department Information

The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado.
Consumer protection is our mission.
DORA values and promotes diversity, supporting a workforce that is inclusive of people from different backgrounds and experiences; creating an environment that is reflective of our communities; promoting positive relationships; and putting forth unique perspectives to fulfill our mission.

Description of Job

The Division of Real Estate exists to protect consumers through licensing, regulation, and enforcement of the provision of the state licensing statutes and board and commission rules pertaining to appraisal management companies, community association managers and companies, homeowners’ associations, real estate brokers, real estate appraisers and appraisal management companies, mortgage loan originators and mortgage companies, and subdivision developers.

Position: SIA 7713

This position exists to maintain compliance with license laws, the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, and board rules for all real estate appraisers and appraisal management companies in the areas of licensing, continuing education, criminal charges, pleas and convictions, and overall appraisal practice. The position plans and completes investigations into complaints that are received from the public, including investigations into alleged unlicensed real estate activities. The position provides guidance, interpretations and recommendations to appraisers, appraisal management companies, the public, and other law enforcement entities in those specific areas covering license laws.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Planning and conducting investigations of non-compliance with statutes, rules, and regulations concerning standards of practice for real estate appraisers, unlicensed activity, and failure to comply with the practice standards established for appraisal management companies – including reviewing appraisal reports, conducting interviews and collecting documentary evidence to substantiate investigative findings;
• Collaborating with the team lead to determine the appropriate scope of an investigation, such as which parties to interview and what documentation to collect and review;
• Preparing complete, concise and accurate reports which present investigative results and documentation in an objective manner that can easily be understood by a variety of stakeholders;
• Presenting investigative findings to the investigations manager or the applicable board or commission in a thorough and carefully articulated manner;
• Testifying at hearings when necessary regarding investigations conducted, including providing investigative support to the Office of the Attorney General in order to help them develop and present their case at hearing.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (MQs):

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in criminology, criminal justice, political science, law, psychology, sociology, economics, business, or a closely related field; AND
• Two (2) years of professional* experience in one of the following areas: investigative experience, compliance experience, appraisal experience, and/or appraisal review experience.

NOTE: Please note that the above-referenced investigative, compliance, appraisal and/or appraisal review experience must align with the following definitions in order to be considered:

• Investigative and compliance experience must include the following:
  • Gathering, interpreting and/or analyzing evidence, data, and relevant facts in complex cases, and applying applicable laws;
  • Distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant evidence, and preparing analysis and recommendations;
  • Fostering cooperation under potentially stressful situations with a variety of audiences; and
  • Presenting clear and concise oral and written samples of evidence.
• Appraisal experience must include the following:
  • Performing commercial appraisals, including researching appropriate market areas and assembling and analyzing facts, statistics and other information pertinent to providing a fair, objective and unbiased valuation of a property;
• Appraisal Review experience must include the following:
  • Reviewing appraisals to determine the acceptability of methodology, technique and credibility to ensure product quality and reliability;
  • Maintaining appraiser auditing functions and monitoring responsiveness and quality of work product provided by appraisers;
  • Coordinating with appraisers to resolve potential issues;
  • Implementing regulatory policy changes as required; and
  • Reviewing all products in a work file to determine if the value opinion was acceptable and in compliance with all federal and state regulations.

NOTE: Please read the minimum qualifications carefully and describe your experience in detail. General experience performing mortgage broker, real estate broker, real estate appraiser, sales or similar job duties may not automatically qualify you for the position.

Document this experience in your application IN DETAIL, as your experience will not be inferred or assumed. Part-time experience will be prorated.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• A combination of professional* work experience as described above, which provided the same kind, amount and level of knowledge acquired in the required education, may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis;
• A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assignment may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree.

• Professional work involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment and personal accountability and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is: uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.

Preferred Qualifications/Competencies:

• An advanced degree in criminology, criminal justice, political science, law, psychology, sociology, economics, business, or a closely related field;
• Real estate appraisal industry experience;
• Currently hold, or have held in the last three years, a Certified General Appraiser License;
• Experience with real estate industry-specific auditing, investigations or compliance work;
• Experience in the use of multi-list systems; the review of contracts, leases, zoning, assessor records, builder plans and specifications, cost manuals, and performing appraisal reviews of residential and/or commercial appraisals;
• Real property valuation-related activities for vacant land, 1 to 4-family residences, condominiums, commercial property, farm and ranch, eminent domain and/or conservation easements;
• Certification in interviewing/interrogation techniques;
• Experience testifying as an expert witness;
• Experience managing a heavy complaint and/or investigative caseload;
• Experience applying generally accepted standards of practice directly related to any of the areas regulated by the Division of Real Estate.

Required Competencies: The following knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics are required competencies and may be considered during the selection process (including examination and/or interview):

• Demonstrated communication skills (oral and written);
• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills;
• Demonstrated attention to detail;
• Ability to conduct research and gather pertinent information;
• Ability to handle sensitive and/or highly confidential information in a professional and ethical manner, and in accordance with state and federal laws;
• Accountability for work product and attendance;
• Ability to accept and apply constructive criticism, and take ownership of mistakes and improve from them;
• Ability to read, understand and apply rules, policies, and statutes to ensure compliance, as well as to explain them to various stakeholders;
• Caseload management skills, including the ability to manage complaints;
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills;
• Focused and demonstrated understanding of quality customer service, including the ability to work diplomatically with difficult customers;
• Time management, including the ability to meet strict deadlines;
• Comfortable demonstrating expertise in front of authorities;
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to work well within a collaborative team;
• Creativity and flexibility, with an ability to adapt to new changes;
• Demonstrated ability to understand and abide by workplace principles, practices and behaviors as internally identified and defined by the division;
• Professional demeanor;
• Proficiency in the use of PC software applications, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.), Google Suite (Doc’s, Sheets, etc.) well as the use of databases.

Conditions of Employment: Candidates who fail to meet the conditions of employment will be removed from consideration.

• The successful passing of a reference check and/or, if required, a background check.
  • A reference check may include but is not limited to: contacting previous and current supervisors to verify employment and discuss performance, a review of the personnel file, a review of the performance record, etc.
  • The type of background check depends on the job duties of the position, and can include a review of any criminal record, credit report, and/or driving record.

Supplemental Information

PLEASE READ - Required Application Materials

Interested individuals must submit the following online:

1. A completed State of Colorado Application (log-in to your current NeoGov account or create a NeoGov account to complete the online application). Note: Incomplete applications, including incomplete work history sections or "see résumé," "see attachment," or "see addendum" statements, will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application form.

2. A current email address on your application, as all communication pertaining to this position will be conducted via email. Please set up your email to accept messages from info@governmentjobs.com and '@state.co.us' addresses, and check your email often. Note: The department cannot guarantee the successful delivery of email, including incorrect filtering into junk mail folders.

3. A detailed cover letter, explaining how you meet the required competencies and how your accomplishments, qualifications, skills, areas of expertise, personal characteristics, etc. make you a good fit for this position; you may also attach additional documents that demonstrate this.

Comparative Analysis Process: Structured Application Review
Part of, if not the entire, comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials; Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application and cover letter, you describe the extent to which you possess the education, experience, and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the required and/or preferred qualifications/competencies. You are also encouraged to attach additional documents to that effect. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may affect your score and prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

Veterans' Preference: Candidates who wish to assert Veterans' Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 to their application. Failure to do so will result in being denied Veterans Preference.

PLEASE NOTE: Former State Personnel System employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application. Colorado Revised Statutes require that all state employees be hired and promoted through competitive examination of merit and fitness. Failure to include the required information, failure to follow instructions, and/or failure to submit materials by the application deadline may result in your application not being considered for the position and may affect your score or inclusion in the final pool of qualified candidates.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

ADAAA Accommodations: DORA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Rachael Alkayali, at dora_hr@state.co.us or call (303) 894-2441.

Appeal Rights: If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination.

Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.

Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb.

A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.