Placer County

To properly value taxable properties within Placer County, using various appraisal methods; to establish values for new construction and property transfers; to obtain and analyze data for the appraisal of real property for ad valorem tax purposes; and to make field investigations, studies, and appraisals.

Appraiser I  
This is the entry level class in the Appraiser series. This class is distinguished from the Appraiser II level by the performance of the more routine and less complex tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Employees work under general supervision while expanding their experience and learning more complex job tasks.

Appraiser II  
This is the full journey level class within the Appraiser series. This class is distinguished from the Appraiser I by the assignment of the full range of duties. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.
This class is distinguished from the Senior Appraiser in that the latter is an advanced journey level where incumbents either spend a majority of their time performing the most difficult and complex appraisals of income producing properties by applying the full range of assessment techniques, including the sales comparison approach, direct and indirect income approach and the cost approach or supervise a residential appraisal team.

Appraiser I
Receives general supervision from assigned management, professional or supervisory staff.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over assigned clerical and technical staff.

Appraiser II
Receives direction from assigned management, professional or supervisory personnel.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over assigned clerical and technical staff.

• Analyze for ad valorem purposes residential, commercial, and agricultural properties splits and transfers and determine appropriate value.
• Conduct field investigations and analyze data to arrive at the assessed value of real property.
• Inspect, measure, and classify structures to determine value; inspect land and improvement changes to determine effect on value.
• Analyze and estimate replacement cost, obsolescence, construction cost, resale value and analyze other pertinent factors needed to establish appraised values.
• Establish taxable values for newly constructed real property and properties which have had a change in ownership.
• Establish taxable value for construction in progress, identifying percentage of construction complete.
• Prepare verbal and written reports and make recommendations based on field investigations.
• Communicate with property owners through public counter assistance, correspondence, meetings, and telephone discussions regarding the valuation process, regulations and laws governing assessed values.
• Monitor market changes to measure market-driven value changes in geographic areas of responsibility.
• Perform appraisals of commercial, residential, and industrial property in response to appeals; prepare and present testimony before the Assessment Appeals Board.
• Pro-rate taxable values, as needed, when parcels are split or are combined.
• Conduct appraisals of Timber Preserve Zone and mineral properties, California Land Conservation Act properties, rural properties, and trees and vines.
• Correct errors to the tax roll for assessment roll corrections.
• Prepare various statistical and administrative reports.
• Attend training; read reports, journals, and periodicals to obtain current information on changes in tax laws, procedures, and economic trends.
• Maintain current knowledge of Revenue and Taxation code, methodologies for valuing property and changes to laws and regulations.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Appraiser II may act on behalf of supervisor in supervisor's absence.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Appraiser I

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Either:

Experience: No experience required.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Or:

Experience: Four (4) years experience within the last ten (10) years as an Accountant, Auditor, Real Property Appraiser, Building Cost Estimator, Engineer, Real Estate Loan Agent, Real Estate Loan Underwriter, Right-of-Way Agent, licensed Building Contractor, Real Estate Licensee that is licensed by the California Department of Real Estate and engaged in buying, selling, leasing or managing real estate, Appraiser Aide or Appraiser Trainee in an Assessor's Office of the Board of Equalization's Property Tax Department or performing duties similar to an Appraisal Technician II with Placer County.

Training: Training must be consistent with the requirements of Property Tax Rule 283 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or the Successor section.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver's license.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

• Possession of a valid Appraiser's Certificate issued by the State Board of Equalization must be obtained within six months from date of hire.  Failure to obtain this certificate will be cause for termination of employment in this class. 

Appraiser II

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of responsible experience in the appraisal of real property for tax purposes performing duties similar to an Appraiser I in Placer County or other experience per requirements set forth in the Revenue and Taxation Code.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Training must be consistent with the requirements of Property Tax Rule 283 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or the Successor section.

Or:

Experience: Four years of responsible experience in the appraisal of real property for tax purposes performing duties similar to an Appraiser I with Placer County or other experience per requirements set forth in the Revenue and Taxation Code.

Training: Training consistent with the requirements of Property Tax Rule 283 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or the Successor section.

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

• Possession of a valid Appraiser's Certificate issued by the State Board of Equalization must be obtained within six months from date of hire.  Failure to obtain this certificate shall be cause for termination of employment in this class.

Appraiser I

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of land economics; general knowledge of the principles of property appraisal.
• Analytical techniques.
• Mathematics used for financial and statistical analyses.
• Common word processing and spreadsheet software and the operation of a personal computer.
• Basic methodology of the sales comparison, income and cost approaches to appraisal.

Ability to:

• Intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and solve problems in appraisal activities; understand, recall and explain related laws, codes, programs, and procedures; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks; focus on a single task for long periods of time.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time and stand for long periods of time in the field. Intermittently, walk, twist, stand, kneel, stoop, climb and bend in the field or to reach office equipment; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; intermittently write or use a keyboard to communicate; see with sufficient visual acuity to observe and assess property conditions and related information, and lift light weight.
• Learn and apply the principles and techniques of property appraisal.
• Learn, understand and interpret property tax laws and regulations.
• Conduct field examinations of construction sites at varying stages of completion to capture critical appraisal data.
• Assemble and analyze data and make arithmetic calculations.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and County regulations.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the public and fellow employees.
• Operate a personal computer in an on-line processing environment; utilize software application programs commonly used in the Assessor's Office.
• Communicate effectively in writing and speaking. 

Appraiser II

In addition to the qualifications for Appraiser I:

Knowledge of:      

• Property tax laws and regulations.
• Principles and techniques of property appraisal.
• Organization and procedures of an Assessor's Office.
• Methods for determining and applying sales comparison, income, and cost approaches to appraisal.
• Understand the organization and operations of the County and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Public presentation techniques.

Ability to:

• Apply the principles and techniques or property appraisal.
• Understand, and interpret property tax laws and regulations.
• Independently assess the value of property using a variety of methodologies including cost approach, market approach and routing income approach.
• Analyze and apply proper statutory framework to any assessment situation encountered.
• Operate a personal computer, utilizing software applications commonly used in an Assessor's Office.
• Learn assessment appeals procedures.
• Assist with the training of less experienced Appraisers.
• Perform successfully in an adversarial assessment situation.