Lead Residential Appraiser (FT) INTERNAL POSTING ONLY

This position is an INTERNAL POSTING ONLY and restricted to current City of Brooklyn Park Employees. External candidates will not be considered at this time.

About the Role

The Lead Residential Appraiser determines the highest and best use, current market value, and classification of each residential property in the City of Brooklyn Park. This non-supervisory position guides, mentors, and assists residential appraisers through the valuation process, file updates, projects, and customer service. The role involves high-level research, sales analysis, written reports, CAMA system management, and real estate market tracking.

Responsibilities

• Appraise new and existing properties in Brooklyn Park annually.
• Appraise new construction properties and calculate values.
• Study market trends to establish accurate and equitable market values within statutory guidelines.
• Guide, mentor, and assist residential appraisers through the valuation process, file updates, projects, and customer service.
• Perform high-level research and sales analysis; develop written reports; participate in CAMA system management; and track and analyze the real estate market.
• Complete annual quintile, reviewing 20% of the City, including physical inspection, GIS and data collection, interpretation, and data entry into the CAMA system.
• Verify sales and conduct residential ratio studies by researching public listings, contacting buyers and sellers, analyzing sales, and entering data into City CAMA and State of Minnesota eCRV systems.
• Utilize sale information to assist the Assessor in drafting and executing mass market adjustments to adhere to state assessment guidelines.
• Assist the City Assessor with analysis and application of residential time trends, value adjustments, cost and depreciation table updates, and general CAMA system management.
• Perform high-level research and analysis of neighborhood trends and overall marketplace compared to prior year values; make adjustments and draft the annual Assessment Summary.
• Assist the City Assessor with land valuation studies, including reviewing land sales and executing mass market adjustments for residential properties.
• Consider external valuation factors such as location, size, highest and best use, parks, ponds, rivers, busy roads, power lines, and commercial influences.
• Draft and update Assessment Department Handbook policies, procedures, and CAMA system job notes.
• Facilitate monthly residential assessing meetings.
• Provide guidance and mentorship for the professional development of residential appraisers.
• Review new residential construction and permits, including physical inspections, GIS data collection, analysis, and data entry into the CAMA system.
• Process abatements for residential property damages, including natural disasters, fire, water intrusion, mold, infestation, and deferred maintenance.
• Utilize new construction and fire report forms to compute cost to cure; work with the Fire Department and property owners to submit reports to the County.
• Perform field inspections of new, existing, and remodeled residential properties to estimate market values as required by state statutes.
• Process residential new construction permits and create new files in the CAMA system.
• Attend Local Board of Appeal and Equalization, County Board of Appeal and Equalization, and Minnesota Tax Court.
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate property records in the CAMA system.
• Resolve appeals through reappraisal and reporting for the Local and County Board of Appeal and Equalization and Minnesota Tax Court.
• Prepare appraisal reports for County Board and Minnesota Tax Court proceedings and provide testimony as required.
• Verify and analyze sales data to ensure well-documented support for assessed valuations.
• Establish market values annually utilizing market trends, appraisal methodology, sales ratio studies, and assessment procedures.
• Administer, inspect, and process disaster abatements in conjunction with external partners.
• Communicate with property owners and relevant parties on confidential data, public records, and classification.
• Educate property owners regarding the appraisal valuation process, assessment guidelines, tax notices, property tax programs, and legal requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, finance, business, public administration, economics, or a closely related field.
• Four (4) years of work experience as a state-licensed appraiser or an appraiser in an assessing office.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must obtain the Certified Minnesota Assessor (CMA) license within two (2) years of hire, per state requirement.
• Must obtain the Accredited Minnesota Assessor (AMA) within 5 years of CMA licensing, per state requirement.
• Must meet Professional Assessment Certification and Education (PACE) every four (4) years once licensed as AMA, per state requirement.

An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position may be considered.

Skills

• Knowledge of assessment laws, appraisal principles for residential properties, construction practices, legal descriptions, zoning policies, and ability to read blueprints.
• Knowledge of market dynamics and real estate transactions.
• Knowledge of mass appraisal concepts and procedures.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of the sales and cost approach to value.
• Knowledge of appraisal techniques and methodologies.
• Knowledge of MN state statutes as they apply to the assessment process.
• Knowledge of appraisal principles and practices in accordance with national uniform standards of professional appraisal practices (USPAP).
• Ability to use CAMA, Excel, Word, Laserfiche, MLS, GIS, Google Earth, Cityview, and other sketching software.
• Ability to perform financial calculations using a financial calculator.
• Ability to recognize and resolve conflict in a professional and tactful manner.
• Ability to provide effective written and verbal communications.
• Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people from all cultures and backgrounds and convey complex information.
• Ability to work on a team and achieve quality and consistent results.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, legal descriptions, blueprints, and appraisals.
• Commitment to an inclusive workplace related to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Certified Minnesota Assessor (CMA).
• State certified or licensed Appraiser.
• Possession of other real estate designations (e.g., CAE, MAI, SRA, CCIM, CRE).
• Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Lao, or Vietnamese.
• Experience working with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.

Working Conditions

• Monday – Friday, normal office hours 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with occasional evenings.
• Some travel occasionally to other locations.
• Prolonged periods of walking, sitting, typing, and phone calls.
• Frequent exterior building measurement and stair climbing.
• Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, and maneuvering in tight spaces.
• Possible exposure to hazardous inclement weather, construction sites, hazardous equipment, and contaminants.
• Possible exposure to unhealthy work conditions.
• Office environment; exposure to computer screens; working closely with others; frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 5 to 10 pounds regularly/occasionally.

The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check are necessary for this position.

Benefits

Regular, full-time City of Brooklyn Park employees (40 or more hours per week) are eligible for a benefits package including:

• Vacation: New employees generally earn 10 days of vacation per year. Vacation accruals increase with longevity up to a maximum of 20 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year plus 1 floating holiday to be used any day in the year with supervisor approval.
• Health Insurance: Employees may choose a health plan with an option to waive coverage if covered under another qualified plan. The City contributes a portion to the cost of health insurance. Available to employees working 30 or more hours per week.
• Dental Insurance: Employees may choose between two dental plans with an option to waive coverage if covered under another qualified plan.
• Life Insurance: The City provides term life insurance with an option for employees to purchase additional and dependent term life insurance at group rates.
• Disability Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability insurance available at group rates.
• Retirement: Public Employee's Retirement Association (PERA) pension plan (employer/employee contributions). Optional 457 pre-tax and post-tax (Roth) deferred compensation plans.