County of Alameda

Under general direction, the Principal Appraiser will be assigned to plan, organize, and direct the operation of the Real Property Appraisal Section.  The Principal Appraiser participates in the development of appraisal and office procedures. The Real Property Appraisal Section appraises residential, rural, commercial, and industrial properties.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Principal Appraiser is in charge of a departmental section.  This class differs from the next higher class of Chief, Appraisal Division and Chief, Appraisal Services Division, by the Chiefs having responsibility for coordinating and administering all appraisal programs.  This class differs from the next lower class, Supervising Appraiser II, by the lower class serving as a Unit Supervisor either of an Appraisal Unit or an Appraisal Services Unit.

NOTE:    The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Plans, organizes and directs, through subordinate supervisors, the units that complete appraisal of residential, rural, commercial, and industrial properties.
2. Explains and interprets property tax laws and rules and office policies and procedures to staff under his/her direction; keeps assessment procedures current with changes in legislation and administrative rules.
3. Continuously develops, implements, and evaluates productivity standards and quality control for the Real Property Section while ensuring a timely Real Property assessment roll closure process.
4. Performs appraisals and assessments of the largest and most complex properties including, but not limited to possessory interests and special use properties.
5. Participates in interviewing and recommending applicants for employment or promotion; makes personnel assignments and acts as a consultant in the development of training programs.
6. Sets guidelines for data collection necessary for the appraisal process.
7. Monitors for standardization amongst the various Real Property appraisal units.
8. Evaluates progress of personnel with subordinate supervisors and recommends disciplinary action as needed.
9. Prepares reports or conducts studies as directed by the Chief, Appraisal Division; works closely with the Principal Auditor-Appraiser with regard to property classification issues.
10. May attend local and State meetings and conferences to represent the Assessor.
11. May testify before the Assessment Appeals Board or in Court on matters pertaining to the appraisal and assessment of property.

EITHER I

Experience:

The equivalent of two (2) years of experience in the class of Supervising Appraiser II, or the equivalent of three (3) years in the class of Assessor Representative, Training Officer (Assessor’s Office), and/or an equivalent or higher level classification in the Assessor’s Office, in the Alameda County classified service.                                                                  

OR II  

Experience:  

The equivalent of five (5) years of experience in the appraisal of major and complex real properties, at least two (2) years of which were responsible supervisory experience equivalent to a Supervising Appraiser II in the Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts); or the equivalent of five (5) years of experience in the administration of an assessment office in the State of California.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Certification:

Appraiser's certificate issued by the State of California Board of Equalization.

NOTE:    The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE:    The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Duties and responsibilities the County Assessor's Office.
• Principles of organization, administration and management.
• Appraisal principles, terminology, methods and procedures.
• California property tax law and provisions of the Assessor's Handbook concerning assessment practices and standards.
• Economic and environmental factors affecting the real property value.
• Fundamentals of statistics, management, training and supervision principles.
• Modern property record-keeping systems and practices.

Ability to:

• Plan, direct and coordinate the work of a section of the Assessor's Office.
• Organize and supervise training; evaluate the technical staff's job performance.
• Analyze appraisal and assessment programs and select and implement those that will best improve the existing system.
• Deal effectively with the public; prepare correspondence and write reports.
• Represent the Assessor's Office before governmental boards, property owners, and technical groups.
• Interpret and explain property appraisal and assessment techniques and evaluating assessment practices.
• Communicate effectively in writing.Incorporate and apply the appraisal functions with the computer-based appraisal information system.

JE:fm-Rev.9/82

BG:ab-Rev.11/84

Old doc:  0346h

SP:jc  Revised:6/95

CSC date:  7/12/95

New doc:  2630.doc

ys/2/01

JC:pf  Rev. 8/28/01

CSC date:  9/12/01

JP:po  Revised 5/7/08

CSC Date:    7/16/2008

EL:jf Revised 2/7/17

CSC Date: 3/15/17

RE: sa  Revised 07/13/2020

CSC Date: 07/29/2020

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.