Appraiser I/II/III

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations, inspections, and interviews to analyze data in determining the value of land, orchards, vineyards, buildings, and other structures.
• Estimate replacement cost, obsolescence, construction cost, market value, and other pertinent factors by obtaining information from interviews with owners, contractors, real estate agents, and others.
• Prepare scale drawings of the location of buildings and improvements in relation to property lines.
• Explain assessment procedures and determinations to taxpayers.
• Review properties for special exemptions and ensure proper valuation of claims.
• Assist in the training and orientation of new appraisers.
• Devise capitalization rates on projected income for commercial property appraisals.
• Present the department’s case in taxpayer protest hearings.

Requirements

Possess a valid California driver’s license at time of appointment and maintain.

Qualifications

Appraiser I

• Experience: None required.
• Education: Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university, preferably in accounting, business administration, economics, agriculture, or civil engineering. Equivalent experience in accounting, auditing, appraising, or building cost estimating may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
• Licenses: Eligibility for either temporary or permanent certification as an appraiser by the California State Board of Equalization. If a temporary certification is used, permanent certification must be acquired within one year from the date of appointment.

Appraiser II

• Experience: One year of responsible professional-level property appraisal work for tax assessment, purchase, or loan extension purposes.
• Education: Equivalent to college graduation, preferably in accounting, business administration, economics, agriculture, or civil engineering. Equivalent experience in accounting, auditing, appraising, or building cost estimating may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
• Licenses: Possession of permanent certification as an Appraiser by the California State Board of Equalization.

Appraiser III

• Experience: Three years of responsible professional-level property appraisal work for tax assessment, purchase, or loan extension purposes.
• Education: Equivalent to college graduation, preferably in accounting, business administration, economics, agriculture, or civil engineering. Equivalent experience in accounting, auditing, appraising, building cost estimating, or engineering may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
• Licenses: Possession of permanent certification as an Auditor-Appraiser/Appraiser by the California State Board of Equalization.

Essential Functions

• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures, and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Conduct inspections over uneven surfaces under various environmental conditions.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision, and color perception.
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist, and manipulate large and small objects.
• Kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance, and crawl.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination and data entry devices, including repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge

• Tax laws relating to the assessment of real property.
• Basic principles of land economics.
• General knowledge of principles involved in property appraisal.
• Factors, techniques, methods, and principles involved in the appraisal of real property.
• Methods of determining property value.
• Laws and regulations affecting the appraisal of real property, including pertinent principles and guidelines contained in the State Constitution and Revenue and Taxation Code.
• Building materials, equipment, fixtures, workmanship, and construction quality and quantities, as applied to all classes of buildings.
• Factors affecting building and equipment depreciation and obsolescence.
• Sources of information concerning property values.
• Regulations and court decisions affecting tax appraisal.
• Orchard trees and vines (for rural appraisals).
• Dairy ranches and equipment (for rural appraisals).

Skills

• Learn and apply the techniques, methods, and principles of real property appraisal.
• Assemble and analyze statistical and narrative information.
• Prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Maintain effective communications and good relations with the public.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Meet the public with courtesy and tact.
• Apply techniques, methods, and principles in the equitable appraisal of real property.
• Read and interpret maps, assessment books, property descriptions, and legal codes.