Appraiser I/II/III at County of Mono – Bridgeport, California

DEFINITION

Appraiser I
Under direction, to learn the procedures and methods for securing and analyzing data for the appraisal of real property for ad valorem tax purposes; to assist with and make field investigations, studies, and appraisals of residential, commercial, and farm properties; to explain appraisal methods, laws, and procedures to the public and to do related work as required.

Appraiser II
Under supervision, to secure and analyze data for the appraisal of real property for ad valorem tax purposes; to make field investigations, studies, and appraisals of residential, possessory interest, commercial, farm, and properties; to explain appraisal methods, laws, and procedures to the public; to defend challenged appraisals before the Assessment Appeals Board, when necessary; and to do related work as required.

Appraiser III
Under direction, to perform the most complex appraisals of real property for ad valorem tax purposes; to assist with the developmental appraisal methods and analytical methodologies, including data processing systems; to provide project leadership and training for other staff; to make field investigations, and appraisals of vacant land, residential, possessory interest, commercial, farm, and resort properties; to explain appraisal methods, laws, and procedures to the public; to defend challenged appraisals before the Assessment Appeals Board when necessary; to perform other job related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Appraiser I
This is the entry and training level in the Appraiser class series. Incumbents often work under the guidance of other Assessors Office staff until they become familiar with appraisal methods, procedures, and policies. After some knowledge and experience has been obtained, easier and more routine job assignments are given to incumbents. When an incumbent has gained substantive knowledge of Assessors Office procedures and policies, demonstrated sound work habits, and obtained proper certification, they may be promoted to the higher level of Appraiser II. Appraiser II is distinguished from Appraiser I by the fact that Appraiser II is the first experienced working level in the Appraiser class series. Appraiser II incumbents are expected to perform a variety of job assignments, requiring appraisal knowledge and background, with minimal supervision and direction. Also, they are expected to be fully capable of explaining appraisal methods and applicable sections of the Revenue and Taxation Code to the public.

Appraiser II
This is the first experienced working level in the Appraiser class series. Incumbents are expected to perform a variety of job assignments, requiring appraisal knowledge and background. They normally receive only routine supervision and direction. Also, they are expected to be fully capable of explaining appraisal methods, procedures, policies and applicable sections of the Revenue and Taxation Code to the public.

Appraiser III
This is the advanced working level in the Appraiser class series. Incumbents are expected to perform the full scope of real property appraisal, requiring an extensive appraisal knowledge and background, with minimal supervision and direction. Also, they are expected to perform the more complex appraisals and special job assignments, as well as assist with the training of new staff. They must be fully capable of explaining appraisal methods and applicable sections of the Revenue and Taxation Code to the public.

REPORTS TO:
Chief Appraiser or designee

CLASSIFICATIONS DIRECTLY SUPERVISED
None.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Appraiser I
Conducts investigations and analyzes data in determining the value of residential, commercial, small commercial, and homogeneous farm properties for tax assessment purposes; inspects building improvements and changes to determine the effect on property value; inspects exterior and interior of buildings to determine classifications according to standards and examples set forth in appraisal manuals; examines, analyzes, and determines the quality of materials, fixtures, equipment, and general construction in buildings and improvements; measures buildings and computes both total area and improved areas as required; estimates replacement costs, construction costs, resale value, and other pertinent factors affecting property values; obtains information in interviews with owners, contractors, real estate agents, and others when necessary; combines the variety of elements affecting property value and exercises judgment in arriving at consistent equitable appraisals for tax assessment purposes; records factual data and comments on appraisal forms; performs roll corrections on properties incorrectly assessed; reviews properties for special exemptions and insures proper valuation of claims; prepares scale drawings of the location of buildings and improvements in relation to property lines; sketches maps to assist with field locations; explains assessment procedures, value determinations, methods and laws to the public; prepares analysis and defends challenged assessments before the Board of Equalization, when necessary; prepares reports.

Appraiser II
Conducts investigations and analyzes data in determining the value of vacant land, possessory interest, residential, small commercial, and homogeneous farm properties for tax assessment purposes; inspects building improvements and changes to determine the effect on property value; learn to conduct appraisals on more complex properties; inspects exterior and interior of buildings to determine classifications according to standards and examples set forth in appraisal manuals; examines, analyzes, and determines the quality of materials, fixtures, equipment, and general construction in buildings and improvements; measures buildings and computes both total area and improved areas as required; estimates replacement costs, construction costs, resale value, and other pertinent factors affecting property values; obtains information in interviews with owners, contractors, real estate agents, and others when necessary; combines the variety of elements affecting property value and exercises judgment in arriving at consistent, equitable appraisals for tax assessment purposes; records factual data and comments on appraisal forms; performs roll corrections on properties incorrectly assessed; performs field inspections for a variety of purposes; prepares scale drawings of the location of buildings and improvements in relation to property lines; ability to read a variety of maps; explains assessment procedures, value determinations, methods, and laws to the public; prepares analysis -and defends challenged assessments before the Assessment Appeals Board, when necessary; prepares reports; may assist will familiarizing other staff with office functions; maintains confidentiality.

Appraiser III
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
May assist in designing, implementing, and helping maintain department appraisal procedures, methods, and standards; develops and updates sales ratio data; may assist with the design and implementation of data processing methods; conducts studies of appraisal systems and analyzes current practices; performs the full range of real property appraisal work; performs the more difficult, complex, and unusual appraisal assignments; monitors property sales and changes of ownership to evaluate transaction types and appropriateness of reappraisals; designs sample selection procedures and systems for evaluating infrequently sold properties, makes field investigations and conducts a variety of interviews to gather data for the evaluation of property; combines the variety of elements affecting property value and exercises considerable judgment in arriving at consistent, equitable appraisals for tax assessment purposes; records factual information and comments on appraisal forms; performs roll corrections on properties incorrectly assessed; performs field investigations for a variety of purposes; reads a variety of maps; explains assessment procedures, value determinations, methods, and laws to the public; prepares analysis and defends challenged assessments before the Assessment Appeals Board, when necessary; prepares reports; may provide work direction and training for less experienced staff; maintain confidentiality.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Appraiser I
• Factors, techniques, methods, and principles involved in the appraisal of real property
• Principles of land economics

Appraiser II
• Factors, techniques, methods, and principles involved in the appraisal of real property.
• Methods of aetermining property values.
• Laws and regulations affecting the appraisal of real property, including pertinent principles and guidelines contained in the State Constitution, Revenue and Taxation Code, and Assessors Handbook.
• Organization, procedures, and responsibilities of the County .Assesso??s Office.

Appraiser III
• Factors, techniques, methods, and principles involved in the appraisal of real property.
• Methods of determining property values.
• Laws and regulations affecting the appraisal of real property, including pertinent principles and guidelines contained in the State Constitution, Revenue and Taxation Code, and Assessor's Handbooks. ..,
• Organization, procedures, and responsibilities of the County Assessor's Office.
• Principles of work direction training.

Ability and willingness to:

Appraiser I
• Learn and apply appraisal principles, methods, and techniques in the equitable and justifiable appraisal of real property.
• Assemble and analyze statistical and narrative information.
• Read and interpret maps, assessment books, property descriptions, and legal codes.
• Prepare analytical reports.
• Make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Communicate orally and in writing.
• Maintain effective communications and good relations with the public and individuals questioning assessment practices and results.
• Effectively represent the County Assessor’s policies, programs, and functions with the public, community organizations, County staff, and other government agencies.
• Regularly work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines.
• Constantly demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues, supervisors, and customers/clients.

Appraiser II
• Apply appraisal principles, methods, and techniques in the equitable and justifiable appraisal of real property.
• Assemble and analyze statistical and narrative information.
• Read and interpret maps, assessment • books, property • descriptions, and legal codes
• Prepare analytical reports.
• Make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Operate various equipment such as typewriter and computer.
• Speak and write effectively.
• Maintain effective communications and good relations with the public and jndi??iduals questioning assessment practices,an?? results.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Learn more complex appraisal tasks.

Appraiser III
• Apply appraisal principles, methods, and techniques in the equitable and justifiable appraisal of real property.
• Perform the more complex real property appraisal work.
• Provide training and work direction to other staff.
• Assemble and analyze statistical and narrative information.
• Read and interpret maps, assessment books, property descriptions, and legal codes.
• Prepare analytical reports.
• Perform a variety of special projects and assignments.
• Assist with the establishment of standardized appraisal systems and methods; ·
• Make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Speak and write effectively.
• Maintain effective communications and good relations with the public and individuals questioning assessment practices and results.
• Use computers.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Learn sales ratio analysis and ratio determination methods.
• Learn to develop appraisal methods and standards.
• Maintain confidentiality.


Training and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

With respect to education and experience, the applicant must:

1. Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution of higher learning; or

2. Be a high school graduate (or equivalent) and have four years of relevant experience; or

3. Possess a combination of education from an accredited institution of higher education and relevant experience totaling four years.

When an applicant has not graduated from a four-year college or university, the amount of education will be calculated based on the number of successfully completed units; one year of education is equivalent to either 30 semester units or 45 quarter units. Relevant experience is employment experience occurring within the last ten years in any of the following occupations:

a. An accountant, auditor, real property appraiser, building cost estimator, engineer, real estate loan agent, real estate loan underwriter, right-of-way agent, licensed building contractor; or

b. A real estate licensee, licensed by the California Department of Real Estate, engaged in buying, selling, leasing, or managing real estate; or

c. An appraiser aide or appraiser trainee in a County Assessor's office or in the BOE's Property Tax Department; or

d. An employee, other than an appraiser, appraiser aide, or appraiser trainee, of a County Assessor's office or of the BOE's Property Tax Department. However, that experience will be limited to qualifying for only two-thirds or 2.67 years of the four-year relevant experience requirement.12 The remaining one-third of time or 1.33 years, must be accumulated by other qualifying relevant experience, as previously described in items a, b, and c, or by education in an accredited institution of higher education. For those counties where the County Assessor is also the County Recorder or County Clerk, only the duties performed as part of the County Assessor's functions can qualify as relevant experience for purposes of certification as an appraiser.

Special Requirements:
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid diver’s license

Appraiser I
Continuation of employment in this class series is dependent obtaining valid Appraiser’s Certification issued by the State Board of Equalization and advancement to the Appraiser II level.

Appraiser II
Typically, incumbents have one year from the date of appointment to this class to obtain a valid appraiser's certificate issued by the State Board of Equalization.

Appraiser III
Possession of a valid appraiser's certificate· issued by the State Board of Equalization.
The contents of this class specification shall not be construed to constitute any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee, nor shall it constitute a contract of employment. The County of Mono assumes no responsibility beyond the general accuracy of the document, nor does it assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained herein. The contents of this specification may be modified or revoked without notice. Terms and conditions of employment are determined through a “meet and confer” process and are subject to the Memorandum of Understanding currently in effect.