COMMERCIAL PROPERTY APPRAISER 1

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed charm with a breathtaking art museum, top-flight cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Under the direction of the Assessment Division Manager, the Commercial Property Appraiser 1 inspects small apartment and basic commercial properties for sale, permit, and valuation review.

 Careers with the Milwaukee Assessor’s Office 

What an exciting time to be part of Milwaukee’s renaissance! With approximately 160,000 properties in the City of Milwaukee, the Assessor's Office has a big job completing its annual assessment. Fortunately, the Assessor’s Office is comprised of a professional, diverse team whose job it is to accurately and fairly value all taxable property in compliance with legal requirements as well as to provide service to the public, other city departments, and public agencies.

If you are someone who enjoys performing field work, meeting new people, learning about Milwaukee’s varied neighborhoods, serving the public, using state-of-the-art technology, and being part of a helpful team, an assessment career with the Milwaukee Assessor’s Office may be just what you are seeking! In addition to rewarding work, team members enjoy job security, fair salaries, excellent benefits, variety, flexibility, and educational and promotional opportunities. Consider a career with the Milwaukee Assessor’s Office!

Appraisal and Inspection

• List and appraise small apartment and basic commercial properties. Value small apartment and basic commercial properties using the Gross Income Multiplier method of valuation.
• Inspect property, new construction, and major improvements to existing structures to establish value.
• Prepare documentation of completed inspections.
• Classify property by its use, according to the Assessor’s Office standards.
• Gather information about properties by communicating with buyers and sellers, fielding sales, and obtaining other economic information to estimate market values of real property.
• Determine validity of sales for use in modeling.
• Review permits and update data to reflect changes in properties.
• Maintain forms, reports, and records.
• Maintain assessment certification by completing the required amount of continuing education.

Analysis, Review and Recordkeeping

• Estimate equitable market values for the production of an annual assessment roll.
• Review estimated market values provided by the Assessor’s Office Valuation Systems and finalize property values.
• Review the effect of data entry changes in computer-assisted mass appraisal systems.
• Analyze trends in sale prices, construction costs, and rent to assess property values and determine the accuracy of assessments.
• Appeals and Recommendations
• Perform assessment reviews for assessment appeals.
• Make recommendations to the Board of Assessors.
• Present testimony before the Board of Review and Circuit Court.

Customer Focus

• Provide prompt, courteous, and customer-focused service, information, and assistance to departmental employees, the public, other city departments, and other agencies; handle inquiries from property owners in person, over the phone, and by email.
• Explain assessed values to property owners, leasing agents, managers, and legal representatives.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

The Commercial Property Appraiser 1 must be willing and able to do the following:

• Visually see details of properties during inspections.
• Physically lift and move up to 10 pounds unassisted, on occasion.
• Ability to travel and perform field work throughout the City of Milwaukee.
• Required pre-employment tests include:
  • Physical Exam
  • Vision Exam
  • Audio-Gram

1. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Successful completion of a real estate valuation course from an accredited college or university within one year of appointment.  
3. Two years of full-time, professional experience in property assessment or property appraisal.
4. Certification by the State of Wisconsin at the Assessor II level under the State Assessor’s Certification Program within 90 days of appointment and throughout employment. For more information on the State of Wisconsin Assessor II level certification go to https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/Training/assessor-certification.aspx.
5. Valid driver’s license and availability of a properly insured personal vehicle for use on the job required at time of appointment and throughout employment. Private automobile allowance may be paid pursuant to Section 350-183 of the Milwaukee Code.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered however, the two years of full-time professional experience in property assessment or property appraisal listed in item #3 above is required and may not be substituted with education.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• International Association of Assessing Officers designation.
• Ability to provide interpretation for Spanish or Hmong speaking clients.

Technical

• Knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques of real, personal, and commercial property assessment and valuation.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Knowledge of the materials and methods involved in the construction and repair of houses and buildings.
• Knowledge of property tax laws and regulations.
• Ability to efficiently utilize software such as Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to learn and utilize job-specific databases and software programs.
• Ability to use equipment such as scanners, copiers, and digital cameras.
• Ability to understand and accurately apply the provisions of Wisconsin State Statute Chapter 70.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Ability to verbally communicate information to residents, coworkers, and other interested parties.
• Written communication skills to craft professional and technical correspondence and reports.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups of people.
• Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.

Judgment and Responsibility

• Planning and organizing skills to accomplish goals and meet objectives.
• Sound decision-making skills.
• Problem recognition and solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively under stress.
• Ability to work under statutory and departmental deadlines.
• Ability to maintain situational awareness while working in the field.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

The current salary range (PAY RANGE 2KN) is $74,546-$96,768 annually, and the current resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $76,782-$99,671 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval. 

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job. 

INITIAL FILING DATE - The examination will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202