POSITION SUMMARY — RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Full-Time, On-Site or Hybrid Remote After Training Period and Approval, $37,500 – $42,500
The Research Associate supports the appraisal process by gathering, verifying, and organizing
property, market, and transaction data. This role is heavily research- and detail-focused, with
extensive use of phone, email, web-based systems, and Excel/Word to produce accurate,
reliable data for use in commercial real estate appraisal reports. The position is based in
FedVal’s Providence, RI, office, with the potential for a hybrid remote schedule after training
and with management approval. FedVal is a growing firm, and this position is expected to
evolve over time; the Research Associate must be comfortable with changing workflows, tasks,
and responsibilities as the company expands.

HOW TO APPLY
To apply, email a cover letter and resume/CV to Info@FedVal.com.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Market & Transaction Research
• Research and record recent sales and lease transactions and related market data.
• Use multiple web resources (e.g., assessor/GIS sites, MLS, CoStar/LoopNet, municipal
sites, mapping tools) to research and verify details about properties, transactions, and
markets.
• Verify key data points such as sale price, lease terms, concessions, building size, land
area, property type, condition, and occupancy.
Contacting Market Participants
• Use telephone, text messaging, and email to verify sales and leases and to interview
market participants (brokers, owners, property managers, municipal staff).
• Conduct concise, professional phone interviews to confirm transaction details and
clarify discrepancies in the data.
• Document call outcomes and email correspondence clearly and accurately.
Data Entry & Database Maintenance
• Enter, clean, and maintain accurate data in the firm’s internal databases and
spreadsheets.
• Assist in organizing and updating sale and lease comparable files, market rent data,
expense data, and other reference data.
• Ensure data is complete, consistently formatted, and properly labeled for future use.
Property & Public Record Research
• Review property records, zoning information, and tax data using online municipal and
state resources.
• Occasionally travel to local/county registries of deeds, town halls, or similar offices to
obtain property records when information is not available online.
• Scan, label, and file documents obtained from public records into the firm’s digital filing
system.

Property Inspections & Field Support
• Assist with or perform property inspections under the direction of a certified appraiser,
including taking photographs, basic measurements, and site notes.
• Travel to subject properties and comparable properties primarily within Rhode Island
and Massachusetts, with occasional trips to other states as needed.
• Represent the firm professionally during site visits, trainings, and events.
Report & Document Support
• Review copy for spelling, typographical, grammatical, and formatting errors, and for
clarity/readability.
• Write narrative descriptions of research findings, including sale and lease summaries,
regional and neighborhood analyses, zoning and tax summaries, and other relevant
commentary on properties, markets, geographies, and factors influencing property
values.
• Assist with preparing tables, charts, and exhibits (e.g., sale/lease comp summaries, rent
rolls, market summaries) in Word and Excel based on researched data.
• Help maintain standardized templates, checklists, and style consistency across
documents.
Process & Tools Optimization
• Learn and apply firm-approved digital tools to improve the efficiency, consistency, and
accuracy of research, data entry, and document preparation.
• Provide feedback on research workflows and suggest practical improvements to
streamline recurring tasks.
Administrative & Operations Support
• Perform administrative tasks as assigned, such as organizing digital folders, naming
files consistently, tracking assignments, and updating internal logs or trackers.
• Assist with preparing responses to RFPs/RFQs and similar qualification or proposal
requests.
• Handle basic office tasks such as checking and distributing mail, preparing deposits,
and bringing checks to the bank.
• Support the appraisal team with scheduling property inspections or calls, collecting
missing information, and following up on outstanding items.
• Help maintain internal process documentation for research procedures and data
sources.

COMPENSATION & FULL-TIME BENEFITS
• Competitive wages.
• Employer-subsidized health insurance after six months of employment.
• 401(k) plan with employer match after one year of employment.
• Paid time off.
• Sick leave.
• Hybrid remote work schedule with approval (following training and subject to business
needs).
• Company-issued technology and software necessary to perform the role.
• Selected education and professional development reimbursement, as approved.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
• Strong phone and interpersonal communication skills; comfortable making outbound
calls and speaking with brokers, owners, property managers, and municipal staff.
• Excellent written communication skills, including clear, concise emails and error-free
written notes and documentation.
• Strong typing skills with the ability to type while on calls or reviewing data.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word (styles, formatting, tables, basic editing).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel (sorting, filtering, basic formulas, data entry, and
organizing datasets).
• Ability to use multiple web-based systems and online tools at once (browser tabs,
portals, GIS, online databases) and switch between them efficiently.
• Comfortable learning and using new software and digital tools to streamline research
and documentation workflows.
• High attention to detail; able to spot inconsistencies, missing data, and errors in
numbers, names, and addresses.
• Strong organizational skills; able to manage multiple assignments, track status, and
always meet deadlines.
• Adaptable and comfortable with changing priorities, workflows, and responsibilities in
a growing firm.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision after training.
• Comfortable following structured procedures and checklists, while also using judgment
to escalate questions or irregular findings.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of client, property, and transaction information.
• Reliable transportation to the Providence, RI, office and to properties, trainings, and
events throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and occasionally other states.
• Bachelor’s degree is required; a degree in a related field is preferred.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Prior experience in real estate, appraisal, brokerage, research, title, or related fields.
• Familiarity with property record databases, GIS systems, or MLS-type platforms.
• Experience working in a professional office or remote environment.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

FedVal is a commercial real estate appraisal firm based in Providence, RI. The firm provides
independent valuation and consulting services for a diverse client base that includes banks,
property owners/managers, attorneys, accountants, and government agencies. FedVal is
known for producing superior appraisal reports and analyses that are credible, accurate, and
practically useful to our clients.

FedVal is a relatively young and growing company, positioned to expand its services and
geographic reach. The firm is committed to excellence and continuous improvement, which
means our workflows, tools, and processes are actively developed and refined over time. We
embrace change and innovation to stay ahead of market trends and to lead the industry in
delivering reliable, well-supported valuation services.