This is a flexibly staffed, three-part series. Incumbents will be expected to perform increasingly complex duties, requiring specialized knowledge of appraisal methodology as it relates to valuing property for property tax purposes. Incumbents are expected to possess technical knowledge as it relates to applicable computer technology and pertinent Revenue and Taxation Codes. All incumbents will be expected to perform tasks necessary to appraise real or personal property, as assigned. This will include field inspections to measure and inventory property, interviewing real estate professionals, secure and analyze data for the appraisal of real and personal property, inputting data into the County’s Automated Property Tax System, defending value conclusions in appeal hearings, maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work, and such other duties as may be assigned.

APPRAISER I

Incumbents work under close supervision while being trained and will gradually work more independently as knowledge and skills are acquired.

APPRAISER II

Incumbents will be assigned increasingly difficult tasks including income-producing properties.

APPRAISER III

Incumbents will be assigned to perform the more difficult appraisal work and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

APPRAISER I

This is the entry level class for appraisal work. Incumbents will work under close supervision while being trained to appraise all property types and will gradually work more independently as knowledge and skills are acquired. Routine work will be assigned to this class. Appointment to the Appraiser I position will be made based on a competitive recruitment process. Incumbents in the Appraiser I position are expected to develop basic appraisal and assessment skills.

APPRAISER II

This is the journey level position within the series. Incumbents are expected to advance as soon as they acquire the necessary skills and experience and can demonstrate an ability to perform more difficult tasks. Incumbents will be expected to appraise all property types including income-producing property, restricted property, and personal property.

APPRAISER III

This is the advanced level position within the series. Incumbents are responsible for the more complex technical assignments and work with greater independence from close review. Incumbents may assist in training and guiding subordinates.

• Make general investigations and analyzes data in the appraisal of real and personal property.
• Makes field studies and appraisals of residential, commercial and farm properties.
• Gathers information and measures and plots land and improvements.
• Collects, analyzes and tabulates sales, rentals and construction costs of properties.
• Makes and verifies computations involved in cost estimating of properties.
• Makes and verifies computations involved in cost estimating and appraising.
• Appraises commercial, large rural, residential and other large or unusual properties whose appraisal involves unique or more difficult problems.
• Investigate and analyze data in appraisal of difficult commercial, industrial, rural, residential or timber appraisals.
• Assists in training and instructing lower classes in the appraisal series.
• Inspect land and improvement changes to determine effect on value.
• Obtain information from interviews with owners, contractors, real estate agents and others.
• Combines various elements affecting land values and exercise judgment in arriving at equitable and consistent property value judgments.
• Prepare verbal and written reports and make recommendations based on complaints concerning appraisals.

APPRAISER I

Knowledge of:

Basic principles of land economics; general knowledge of the principles of property appraisals; general knowledge of property taxation in California.

Ability to:

Learn and apply the principles and techniques of property appraisal; assemble and analyze data and make mathematical calculations; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work; exercise judgement.

APPRAISER II (in addition to the above)

Knowledge of:

Factors involved in the appraisal of real property and the principles underlying the appraisal process; real property laws; provisions of the State Constitution and Revenue and Taxation Code pertaining to the assessment of property for tax purposes; purposes organization and procedures of the local Assessor’s Office.

Ability to

Apply appraisal principles and techniques in the equitable and justifiable appraisal of property; assemble and analyze data; make arithmetical calculations, charts, and descriptive sketches in connection with appraisal work.

APPRAISER III (in addition to the above)

Knowledge of:

Real property appraisal for tax assessment purposes; common methods of describing real property; methods of making depreciation studies; principles and practices of public administration, time management and workload distribution; effect of economic trends and conditions affecting real property values.

Ability to

Read and interpret blueprints, maps and property descriptions; exercise sound judgments in the development, analysis and evaluation of appraisal information; analyze situations accurately and adopt and effective course of action; analyze complex appraisal and assessment systems and assist in improvement of same; establish and maintain cooperative relations with taxpayers and other contacted; prepare correspondence and reports.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Equivalent to completion of a four-year degree from an accredited college or university with a course of study that provides basic knowledge to successfully perform typical duties or such other combination of education and experience that meets BOE approval for a temporary appraisal certificate.

APPRAISER I

No experience required.

APPRAISER II

Incumbents must be a Certified Property Tax Appraiser by the State Board of Equalization, have one year of experience appraising property for property tax purposes, and have passed the following courses or their equivalent:

Course 2A – Residential Cost Estimating

Course 3 – Residential Appraisal Procedures

Course 5 – Income Approach to Value

In addition, incumbent must show demonstrated competency appraising single family residential properties.

APPRAISER III (In addition to the Appraiser II requirements)

Incumbents must be a Certified Property Tax Appraiser by the State Board of Equalization, have three years’ experience appraising property for property tax purposes, and have passed the following courses or their equivalent:

Course 56 – Advanced Sales Comparison and Income Capitalization

One course equivalent to an advanced-level course offered by the State BOE

In addition, incumbent must have one year of experience appraising income-producing properties and show a demonstrated competency appraising those property types.

ALL LEVELS

Possession of a valid California driver’s license. Incumbents will have one year from the date of employment to obtain a valid appraiser’s certificate from the California State Board of Equalization [BOE].

Possession of a valid appraiser’s certificate is a condition of continued employment. Every effort is made to provide opportunities for training as our budget permits. If we are unable to provide training, incumbents are still responsible for obtaining the required continuing education to keep their appraisal certificate.