Residential Appraiser I

About the Role

The purpose of this classification is to appraise real property to determine appropriate values for tax assessment purposes.

Responsibilities

• Interprets and applies state and local laws pertaining to property appraisal and assessment while following the annual digest schedule set forth by the Board of Assessors and Chief Appraiser.
• Conducts field reviews of residential property, locating and identifying real property, referring to various maps, property indexes, directories, and other documents to determine taxability.
• Makes calculations and applies data to property appraisals with consultation and direction from Senior staff and direct Supervisor.
• Reviews/interprets property record cards and compares data on cards with actual property in the field, identifying discrepancies and making corrections where needed.
• Provides information and assistance to property owners, builders, surveyors, realtors, and other individuals regarding appraisal data, appraised values, property lines, ownership records, appeal rights, and related information.
• Explains assessment laws to taxpayers.
• Responds to questions, complaints, and correspondence from the public.
• Resolves issues involving angry/irate taxpayers.
• Researches problems and initiates problem resolution.
• Conducts research of various sources, including legal records such as deeds, deeds of trust, leases, assessments, and other records.
• Researches returned mail to identify the status of taxpayers.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, property record cards, sales reports, improvement reports, sketches/diagrams, and other documents.
• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, and modify data while verifying data accuracy.
• Utilizes CAMA system, multi-listing websites, Excel, Word, multiple GIS applications, Planning and Development customer support system, qPublic, Power Point, Loopnet, Microsoft Teams and Office 365 applications, Property Corrections, Georgia Secretary of State website, and Forsyth County Clerk of Courts deed search.
• Operates/utilizes a variety of equipment or tools, including a motor vehicle, copy machine, scanner, fax machine, calculator, camera, engineering scale, measuring instrument, and telephone.
• Maintains a file system of appraisal documents, continuing education materials, returns, appeals, sales reviews, sales ratio studies, and other departmental records.
• Communicates with Supervisor, Senior staff, other Forsyth County departments, Board of Equalization, Hearing Officers, Clerk of Courts, Board of Tax Assessors, Certified Public Accountants, property owners, taxpayers, realtors, surveyors, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, defend appraisal values during appeal hearings, and resolve issues.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws and regulations.
• Receives returns to the Board of Tax Assessors, contacts taxpayers, and schedules appointments for site visits.
• Corrects mistakes, additions, or omissions to the property and sends for review by the Board of Assessors.
• Receives appeals to the Board of Assessors, contacts taxpayers, tax representatives, or attorneys to schedule appeal site visits.
• Provides requested information from the taxpayer within 10 days of receipt of request.
• Corrects mistakes, additions, or omissions during site visits for appeals and processes information for review by the Board of Assessors.
• Processes new notices and/or agreements, or forwards appeals to the BOE or Hearing Officer based on findings during the appeal process.
• Researches relevant data for case preparation for Board of Equalization or Hearing Officer hearings.
• Compiles comparable properties into Power Point presentations using information from CAMA system, qPublic, and Multi Listing services.
• Provides photos, comparable maps, and data analytics to defend appraised values.
• Communicates with the Clerk of Courts about scheduling and rescheduling hearings.
• Defends appraised values, valuation methods, and uniformity during appeal hearings.
• Processes appeals according to statute after receiving decisions from the Board of Equalization or Hearing Officer.
• Finalizes appeals by writing corrections to the Tax Commissioner after resolution.
• Compiles a monthly report of all real estate sales to review and update appraisals.
• Contacts real estate agents, taxpayers, neighbors, or closing attorneys to obtain information about recent sales.
• Navigates multi-listing websites for sales information.
• Submits corrections and updates for data entry into the CAMA system after onsite visits.
• Collects and organizes new construction and addition permits to value improvements to properties.
• Verifies accuracy of map and parcel numbers, addresses, and sketches improvements.
• Compiles property data, structural elements, and land characteristics for data entry into the CAMA system.
• Generates reports from the CAMA system to ensure information validity.
• Plots county-wide land sales, including acreage, zoning, location, and other pertinent information.
• Determines and utilizes proper land valuation methods based on direction from the Georgia Department of Revenue.
• Applies values to assigned neighborhoods, both rural and residential.
• Inspects and researches improved residential property sales to update appraisals.
• Uses sale data to determine market values of residential sales for the annual tax digest.
• Calculates fair market values and assessment values of real property and approximate property taxes due.
• Analyzes sales ratio data and generates reports from the CAMA system.
• Consolidates updates and changes for review by the Board of Tax Assessors.
• Performs general/clerical tasks, including answering calls, assisting customers, filing, and processing mail.
• Assists taxpayers in filing for homestead and school tax exemptions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• One (1) year of previous work experience providing requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Must obtain State of Georgia Appraiser I Certification within one year of employment.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license.

Benefits

• Personal Leave Accrual:
  • 0 - 4 Years: 20 days per year (6.16 hours per pay period)
  • 5 - 14 Years: 25 days per year (7.70 hours per pay period)
  • 15+ Years: 30 days per year (9.24 hours per pay period)
• Observed Holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (2), and Christmas (2).
• Medical Insurance: Choice of plans from Aetna and Kaiser Permanente.
• Dental Insurance: Two plans from Delta Dental.
• Vision Insurance: Administered by Aetna with copays for exams, lenses, frames, and contacts.
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance: County-paid term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) protection.
• Disability Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability, 100% paid by Forsyth County.
• Additional Life Insurance and AD&D: Available for purchase.
• Retirement Plan (401K): Fully vested at five years with matching contributions based on years of service.

Pay

$47,390.00 Annually

Schedule

Full-time

Location: Cumming, GA