What are the responsibilities and job description for the Real Property Appraiser - Open Competitive Exam position at City of Rochester, NY?
General Description
This position involves the inspection and valuation of property in the City of Rochester. Incumbents and other Bureau staff are responsible for the annual assessment roll required by New York State law. The work is performed under the general supervision of higher-level assessment personnel. Related work is performed as required.
Typical Work Activities
- Determines values and assessments by using applicable approaches to valuation or appropriate computer-assisted mass appraisal models;
- Inspects residential and commercial properties in order to gather information about the use and condition of the structure and site, such as the type of dwelling, classification, occupancy, number of rooms, grades of materials, square footage, etc., following established procedures;
- Contacts property owners by telephone and in writing to set up appointments for inspections or other appropriate purposes;
- Interviews property owners and others to collect financial information, such as sales data, type of mortgage, income and expenses;
- Analyzes sales-related data, by gathering information about recent sales and reviewing information such as deeds, closing documents, multiple listing service information, etc.;
- Answers questions generated by the public, such as those concerning billing, taxes, refuse charges, embellishments, assessments, and reasons for inspections, both orally and in writing;
- Analyzes income and expense data to determine value of commercial properties;
- Analyzes market sales and net income to determine appropriate capitalization rates, vacancy rates, and income and expense ratios;
- Advises property owners of available statutory property tax exemptions;
- Inspects properties to determine eligibility for statutory property tax exemptions, and updates residential exemptions;
- Builds subdivisions on the assessment roll;
- Defends value determinations at Board of Assessment Review and Small Claims hearings;
- Prepares presentations for the Board of Assessment Review and Small Claims hearings, by documenting value comparisons;
- As needed, answers inquiry phone lines and assists the public at the walk-in counter;
- Assists in on-the-job training of other appraisers in correct ways of collecting information and assessing property.
Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma or Equivalent PLUS
A. Three (3) years of work experience determining the value of either residential or commercial real estate (or both) using the market value (sales comparison) method, in an occupation such as fee appraiser, municipal appraiser, bank appraiser, municipal assessor, or real estate salesperson, AND completion of OR current enrollment in one (1) or more courses in basic residential or commercial appraising;
OR
B. Current registration with the New York Department of State as a State Licensed Real Estate Appraiser, a State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser, or a State Certified General/Commercial Real Estate Appraiser.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
Possession of a valid New York State Class D license at time of appointment AND availability of a vehicle for use during working hours. This requirement must be maintained Throughout employment in this title.
Exam Information
Scopes/Subjects of Examination: A test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the following areas.
Preparing Written Material:
These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.
Understanding and Interpreting Written Material:
These questions test for the ability to understand and interpret written material. You will be presented with brief reading passages and will be asked questions about the passages. You should base your answers to the questions only on what is presented in the passages and not on what you may happen to know about the topic.
Data Collection:
These questions test for a knowledge of the variables that are collected for residential, commercial, vacant and farm properties.
Hypothetical situations may be used to test for candidate knowledge, skill, and ability in this area.
The majority of these questions are based on the terms, concepts, and principles of data collection that are contained in the Department of Taxation and Finances' data collection manuals which can be found at: www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/assess/manuals/assersmanual.htm
Hypothetical situations may be used to test for candidate knowledge, skill, and ability in this area.
The majority of these questions are based on the terms, concepts, and principles of data collection that are contained in the Department of Taxation and Finances' data collection manuals which can be found at: www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/assess/manuals/assersmanual.htm
Principles and Techniques of Real Property Appraisal:
These questions test for a knowledge of principles and practices used in the appraisal of agricultural, commercial, and residential real property including knowledge of the three approaches to value: sales comparison, income, and cost.
Understanding and Interpreting Abstracts, Deeds, and other documents related to real property:
These questions test for the ability to understand and apply information contained in documents related to real property and include examples, illustrations and applications of laws and procedures in relation to the reading and interpretation of title abstracts, deeds and other related documents.
Test Guide:
- The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However, candidates may find information in the publication 'General Guide to Written Tests' helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm.
- The Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County MAY have exam-related material, as well as, other branches. (i.e., CSEA Exam Preparation booklets)
For full-time employees:
The City of Rochester offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
For less-than full-time employees:
The City of Rochester offers numerous growth opportunities to include the potential to transition into full-time, permanent employment.
