Appraisal Assistant - Jefferson County (Board of Equalization)

About the role

Jefferson County Commission’s Board of Equalization department is looking for a well-motivated Appraisal Assistant. Appraisal Assistants support Real Property Appraisers in appraising real property by obtaining inventory and measurements of properties to assure accurate property values. Employees in this job class visit properties throughout Jefferson County to measure structures using various tools (e.g., tape measure, miter gauge) to calculate square footage, acreage, and to compare building characteristics to records on file. Appraisal Assistants are exposed to all weather conditions, dogs, fumes, high noise levels, dust, pollution, snakes, and potentially hostile citizens. Work is performed in the field gathering information for appraisals with some work in an office setting. Appraisal Assistants' activities require frequent walking, bending, stretching, operation of a motor vehicle, prolonged sitting and/or standing, and lifting objects of light to moderate weight. This position offers a clear promotional pathway within the Real Property Appraisal series and supports employee development through diverse training and professional growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the inspection of real properties (e.g., residences) and related documentation (e.g., property records, maps) on behalf of the Jefferson County Board of Equalization by examining records, visiting properties, reviewing diagrams, and taking measurements in order to evaluate construction, condition, special features, and functional design.
• Examines public records (e.g., tax maps, tax assessor records, transactions) to gather tax-related information for properties within the jurisdiction.
• Takes property measurements (e.g., wall lengths, offsets, and corner angles) using tape measure and miter gauge to provide information to be used for property appraisals.
• Gathers information and specifications from building plans in order to evaluate important property characteristics (e.g., improvement dimensions, construction materials, structural information, functional design).
• Performs administrative duties (e.g., writing reports, maintaining files, drafting mail correspondence, communicating information, providing assistance) in order to maintain efficient departmental operations.
• Assists in the valuations and/or assessments of real properties on behalf of the Board of Equalization by monitoring trends, documenting property characteristics, and calculating estimates in order to determine property values.
• Draws land and improvement diagrams to be used in appraisal reports to support findings.
• Monitors trends (e.g., interest rates, mortgage availability) that may affect real property market prices in order to provide accurate appraisal estimates.

Requirements

• Driver’s license.
• Experience providing customer service (e.g., providing information, explaining/enforcing policies and procedures, dealing with difficult or irate customers).
• Experience performing work that requires knowledge of basic construction materials such as brick, wood, or concrete (e.g., carpentry, home improvement, repairs, construction, real estate, appraisal).
• Ability to pass the Alabama Manual course and the IAAO 101 Fundamentals of Real Property within two years of hire.

Qualifications

• Experience working in Real Estate sales as a Real Estate Agent, Realtor, or Broker.
• Experience working as a Home Inspector.
• Licensed as an Appraisal Trainee through the Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board.

Skills

• Job involves physical exertion required for sustained periods of light physical activity such as walking or standing.
• May involve occasional light lifting of items or objects weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Work is conducted both indoors in an