Supervisor-trainee Question

[Pittsburgh Pete]

Good news: you seem to be learning quite a bit and have progressed very well. Bad news: your employer seems to be taking advantage of you to some degree.

Strikes me as rather shortsighted on his part. He seems to be guaranteeing that once you get your certification that you'll be out the door for greener pastures. One should treat a trainee, especially one who seems as productive as you are, as an asset rather than as a tool.

P.S,. be sure to get Penndot's updated 2018 forms.

 

[Pittsburgh Pete]

Good news: you seem to be learning quite a bit and have progressed very well. Bad news: your employer seems to be taking advantage of you to some degree.

Strikes me as rather shortsighted on his part. He seems to be guaranteeing that once you get your certification that you'll be out the door for greener pastures. One should treat a trainee, especially one who seems as productive as you are, as an asset rather than as a tool.

P.S. be sure to get Penndot's updated 2018 RW forms

 

[JTip]

P.S. be sure to get Penndot's updated 2018 RW forms

You have 90 days to use current forms for ongoing appraisal/negotiation assignments, FYI. I just printed off the 508 pages yesterday.

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OP: Your situation sounds link mine 15 years ago. Spot on with the mentor showing up for 3 hours (typically in golf attire for the afternoon tee time) and me doing 100% of the work for 25% of the fee. The only difference between you and me? I worked for family (FIL)........

Do your time, get your cert and leave with a firm handshake and gratitude for the experience.

 

[dexter_m]

"I would just ride it out until you are certified. Once you're certified, you have the opportunity to work for the state (there is a dearth of CG's at PennDOT and dwindling fast) or make a lot of money working on the outside doing eminent domain work for the state and Turnpike Commission, as you are now. You've seen the fees this work commands and I'm sure you're aware how much better it pays than non-specialized work.[/QUOTE]

What do you see as the opportunities on the private-sector side for a newly-minted CG in PA with my background? It is my understanding that Category 2 ITQ requires 5 years post-certification (though I know my boss got on before 5 years, sometime since 2007). Do you know if the 5 year minimum is generally adhered to? For what it's worth, I believe I would have as solid references three individuals who have served as PennDOT chiefs of appraisal & review. Do you know if Category 1 actually yields any work?

 

[dexter_m]

Good news: you seem to be learning quite a bit and have progressed very well. Bad news: your employer seems to be taking advantage of you to some degree.

Strikes me as rather shortsighted on his part. He seems to be guaranteeing that once you get your certification that you'll be out the door for greener pastures. One should treat a trainee, especially one who seems as productive as you are, as an asset rather than as a tool.

P.S. be sure to get Penndot's updated 2018 RW forms

Thanks! We do have all the new forms, though I admit I haven't had a chance to look at them thoroughly yet. The district chief who sent them to us said that it was mostly just the date change. Do you know of any other changes?

I am inclined to agree with your assessment of both the good new and bad news.

As for what I'll do when I finish my certification (which should be by the end of this year or shortly thereafter), I'll ask the same question I posed to cpalub above - What do you see as the opportunities on the private-sector side for a newly-minted CG in PA with my background? It is my understanding that Category 2 ITQ requires 5 years post-certification (though I know my boss got on before 5 years, sometime since 2007). Do you know if the 5 year minimum is generally adhered to? For what it's worth, I believe I would have as solid references three individuals who have served as PennDOT chiefs of appraisal & review. Do you know if Category 1 actually yields any work?

 

[JTip]

ITQ guidelines are just guidelines. If you know Bill, I'm sure he would give you a chance if you've done DOT work before.

If you are in Pitt (vs Pete), you probably won't score any work. But if you search 'out of the area' districts, say Oil City or Clearfield, or work, you may have a better shot getting jobs. Just remember, if you produce subpar work/communication/turn times, you probably won't get much work in the future.

 

[dexter_m]

ITQ guidelines are just guidelines. If you know Bill, I'm sure he would give you a chance if you've done DOT work before.

If you are in Pitt (vs Pete), you probably won't score any work. But if you search 'out of the area' districts, say Oil City or Clearfield, or work, you may have a better shot getting jobs. Just remember, if you produce subpar work/communication/turn times, you probably won't get much work in the future.

I am located in Southcentral PA, and cover mostly Harrisburg and east. (Though I am willing and able to consider relocation.) I unfortunately haven't had the chance to interact directly with Bill, but have developed working relationships with a few CORA appraisers, district chiefs, and former PennDOT employees. Do you see the "in" with Bill as instrumental, or do the other relationships possibly hold enough clout? I think I have heard/seen that 5 co-signatures post-certification would go a long way toward getting around the 5-year "guideline"?

 

[NachoPerito]

I don't think it is your concern that your mentor doesn't work many hours. Most us appraisers work too much. I wouldn't mind doing what he is doing for a while. He may get bit by a reviewer for missing something in your report, but that is a risk he is taking.

Also, don't worry about what his overhead is at this point. He is probably making money off you, but there are always more expenses than you think (payroll, accounting, Word, Excel, Adobe, hardware, software, subscriptions, cost handbooks, printing, paper, phones, rent, utilities, furniture, insurance, etc) and there is the responsibility.

Worry about what you are getting. You are earning $40k plus benefits as a trainee. That sounds great.

You are also getting Eminent Domain work experience, which is rare.

As long as he is available to answer a question when you have it then you are fine. You can get more expertise at your next job.

 

[Pittsburgh Pete]

Thanks! We do have all the new forms, though I admit I haven't had a chance to look at them thoroughly yet. The district chief who sent them to us said that it was mostly just the date change. Do you know of any other changes?

I am inclined to agree with your assessment of both the good new and bad news.

As for what I'll do when I finish my certification (which should be by the end of this year or shortly thereafter), I'll ask the same question I posed to cpalub above - What do you see as the opportunities on the private-sector side for a newly-minted CG in PA with my background? It is my understanding that Category 2 ITQ requires 5 years post-certification (though I know my boss got on before 5 years, sometime since 2007). Do you know if the 5 year minimum is generally adhered to? For what it's worth, I believe I would have as solid references three individuals who have served as PennDOT chiefs of appraisal & review. Do you know if Category 1 actually yields any work?

don't really see anything different in the new forms but the date.

In all my years, I've never seen a Category 1 fee quote request. I would assume those are all done in-house.

Your experience should give you a plethora of options in the private sector either with a fee shop or with a RW Company.

 

[JTip]

I am located in Southcentral PA, and cover mostly Harrisburg and east. (Though I am willing and able to consider relocation.) I unfortunately haven't had the chance to interact directly with Bill, but have developed working relationships with a few CORA appraisers, district chiefs, and former PennDOT employees. Do you see the "in" with Bill as instrumental, or do the other relationships possibly hold enough clout? I think I have heard/seen that 5 co-signatures post-certification would go a long way toward getting around the 5-year "guideline"?

District 8 (along with 5 & 6) is packed full of consultants.....it may be impossible to get in being 'green' with all that competition. I suggested district 1 or 2 because they are always looking for fee help. Might be good to pound the pavement and build a rep with the state.

Bill is the Chief Appraiser of the State, so he reviews all ITQ apps. Knowing other review appraisers can help as they report to him, so that might help.

If you are interested in a FINE job with the state as a CG, I'd be happy to help. We have positions available all over and roll out the red carpet for appraisers.