Description
Who We Are
First Fed is a local community bank on an exciting growth trajectory with 18 locations including 12 full-service branches in Western Washington. First Fed was recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as a Best Workplace for the last 3 years and a Top Corporate Philanthropist in 2023. By popular vote, First Fed received 2023 awards for Best Bank in The Best of the Northwest, Best Banker in Readers' Choice by Cascadia Daily News, and Peninsula Daily News named us Best Bank on the Olympic Peninsula. We also received a Best-In-State bank award from Forbes in 2021.
For over 100 years First Fed has served our customers and communities throughout the PNW. We've donated over $9 million to non-profit organizations in the past 8 years through our foundations, sponsorships, direct donations, and matched employee donations. Our amazing team has volunteered over 25,000 hours in the past 5 years - many by using our benefit of 3 paid volunteer days per year.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds - our diversity makes us stronger. Join our award-winning team.
Our Values
Optimism: We are positive and decisive. We believe the future will be better than the past. Our attitude demonstrates persistence which leads to success.
Initiative: We are self-starters and find innovative solutions. We are courageous, entrepreneurial, and passionate. We take action for good.
Respect: We include individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different perspectives. We are committed to honoring and serving others.
Growth: We learn and adapt so we can continually improve. We believe in personal growth through grit and determination.
Ownership: We are invested in our endeavors. We are accountable and take responsibility for our actions and decisions.
Position Purpose:
Liaison and administrator protecting the Bank's interest in the project collateral, mitigating risk and providing excellent service to internal and external stakeholders.
Essential Functions:
- Process and disburse residential construction draws. Ensure that all analysis and documentation follow established policy and procedures.
- Demonstrate understanding of policy and procedures through thorough file review, and informed disbursement recommendations and decisions
- Perform accurate monetary transactions, ensuring funding sources are disbursed according to type, remain balanced between systems, are thoroughly documented
- Monitor residential construction projects for timely completion, balanced budget, and project status. Ask relevant questions of all stakeholders to stay current on project status and challenges.
- Coordinate and collaborate with lending officers, customers, appraiser/inspectors, contractors & title company personnel, to process construction loans in an effective manner
- Engage inspections, provide thorough review of reports received; communicate and resolve discrepancies or questions with borrower, builders, and monitoring companies
- Manage Approved Contractor data; maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders)
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as required and advised from Supervisor or Manager.
- Onboard new loans ensuring completeness of file and accuracy of budget. Resolve any budget questions prior to activating customer.
- Document and administer loans in Built software platform accurately, with robust comments, regular follow up and timely and professional communication.
- Continually evaluate processes for efficiency; propose solutions to increase department efficiency
Construction Admin II will additionally:
- Process both commercial and residential draws requests
- Monitor commercial construction projects for timely completion, balanced budget, and project status. Ask relevant questions of all stakeholders to stay current on project status and challenges.
- Engage and evaluate new project budget reviews; collaborate with lending officers to clear concerns and conditions.
- May administer hazard insurance claims; review contract, administer draws through the cost estimate until work is complete.
- May approve residential loan disbursement exceptions in the absence of Supervisor, per construction procedures and guidelines.
Senior Construction Administrator will additionally:
- Analyze and review draw requests for disbursement approval on exceptions - expanded authority from Construction Administrator II
- Make approval recommendation on residential and commercial budget reviews
- Manage Manufactured Title Elimination process; delegate and obtain Supervisor approval as needed
- Manage Hazard Insurance Claims process; delegate and obtain Supervisor approval as needed.
- Coach team members on department procedures as needed, including in absence of Supervisor
Qualifications / Requirements:
- High school diploma or certified equivalency; Associates Degree with real estate, finance and/or accounting course work preferred.
- Construction Admin I: Typically requires 3-5 years' experience in the banking and/or real estate construction fields.
- Construction Admin II: Typically requires 5+ years' experience in the banking and/or real estate construction fields.
- Construction Admin II: Typically requires 5+ years' experience in the banking and/or real estate construction fields.
- Working knowledge of real estate terms required.
- Strong attention to detail and mathematical analysis skills required.
- Must be self-motivated, a self-starter and possess strong critical thinking skills.
- Excellent organizational, prioritization and time management skills.
- Ability to work independently and multi-task in a fast-paced environment where deadlines must be met.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Provide quality service to internal and external stakeholders. Desire to work collaboratively.
- Must be proficient in MS Word and an Intermediate level Excel user.
- Incumbent must be an active learner with demonstrated ability to seek out resources and address own learning needs effectively.
Physical Requirements:
The work requires the ability to operate office machines and equipment, such as personal computers, printers, copying machines and telephones. The work requires the ability to communicate clearly with customers, coworkers, and others in person and on telephones. Work activities involve combinations of sitting/standing for extended periods.
Pay Grade
- The pay range for this position is $22.67 - $38.55
- The typical hiring range for this position is $22.67 - $26.02
- The incentive plan for this position is the Credit Support Incentive plan. It is paid out quarterly with a 7.5% target payout.
- Employees will be eligible for our benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, retirement plans (401k with company match and Employee Stock Ownership Plan), gym membership reimbursement, discounts on our banking products, and more. Additional information on our benefits package can be viewed at
Qualifications
Education
Required
Experience
Required
- 3 years: Typically requires 3-5 years' experience in the banking and/or real estate construction fields.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.