Real Property Appraiser I or II

About the role

The position serves as a training program to transition to Real Property Appraiser II within one year. It involves residential property and land appraisal work, assisting other Real Property Appraisers in determining appropriate land, building, and depreciation schedules, and communicating with the public.

Responsibilities

• Positions in this classification are responsible for learning the processes of determining the value of land and property for tax assessment purposes.
• Performs field inspections of existing property and gathers information on new construction and parcel improvements to place a true and fair market value on the property and determine a tax base for fair and equal taxation.
• Enters information gathered from the field onto computerized appraisal sheets and calculates market values using methods prescribed by the appraisal profession.
• Measures, grades, and verifies the condition of existing structures and new construction.
• Takes photographs of property and places on correct parcel.
• Utilizes the computer to perform a variety of analyses, including sales, and to maintain current data base; enters valuation information; analyzes recorded sales using parcel data and spreadsheets to qualify and quantify sales; completes statistical comparisons of similar properties to document and defend assessed values; applies property trending techniques and depreciation tables to compute values.
• Learns and carries out administrative and clerical duties in the real property assessment division as assigned for training purposes.
• Reviews and inspects destroyed properties to determine the amount of loss so that appropriate adjustments can be made to taxable parcels.
• Physically inspects each portion of the parcel that has been destroyed or removed.
• Responds to taxpayers' questions and complaints and performs review appraisals as requested which may be in person, by phone or in writing.
• Explains valuation methods and procedures and how the particular value was calculated. Inform taxpayers of their courses of action if they remain unsatisfied by the explanation.
• Provides assistance with market and sales analysis. Collects and compiles sales information from local property sales to assemble cost schedules to be used in comparative market analysis and to evaluate property in the surrounding area.
• Responds to inquiries, complaints, or requests for information from other departments, agencies, and the general public by phone, in person, or in writing, providing information or assistance within the scope of knowledge or authority, or referring to appropriate individual.
• Updates records, maps, and files using information gathered during field inspection activities to assure the accuracy of future inspections.
• Provides assistance to Senior Property Appraiser and/or Supervisor Assessor as needed.
• This may include, but not limited to, levies and sales analyst.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques and related tools/equipment to accomplish the basic function of this position, including any safety and/or legal requirements.
• A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: High school diploma or GED with additional coursework in business, accounting, and real estate appraisal.
• To continue in the Assessor's Office the employee must successfully complete Real Property Appraiser Accreditation through the Washington Department of Revenue, or its equivalent, after completion of one year appraiser work experience and within the Assessor's prescribed timelines.

Qualifications

• Real Property Appraiser I: Valid state driver's license in state of residence.
• Real Property Appraiser II: Valid state driver's license in state of residence.
• Real Property Appraiser accreditation by the Washington Department of Revenue.

Skills

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques and related tools/equipment to accomplish the basic function of this position, including any safety and/or legal requirements.
• Ability to perform math and to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Ability to read maps to locate property.
• Ability to operate county 4-wheel drive passenger vehicles and pick-up trucks.
• Ability to operate in remote areas of the county that do not have cell phone service or other means of communications.
• Ability to operate alone or with a partner.
• Ability to maintain good situational awareness, have good judgment and decision making skills, be able to defuse tense situations, and be comfortable operating with a high degree of independence and self-sufficiency.

Benefits

DOQ (Salary determined by experience).

Pay

$23.29 - $26.20/hr, DOQ.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week.