ASSESSMENT CLERK (#BL3 )

$24.85-$31.45 hourly / $4,307.00-$5,451.00 monthly / $51,688.00-$65,416.00 yearly

Under supervision, to perform specialized clerical work in processing and reviewing assessment records; to assist in exemptions and assessment roll preparation; to apply and explain assessment regulations, procedures and practices to the public; and to do other work as required.

Positions in this class are distinguished from the lower level classification of Clerk II in that Assessment Clerks perform difficult and responsible clerical work requiring a knowledge of property tax laws, and assessment procedures and practices. Incumbents exercise considerable discretion and independent judgment in performing and scheduling their work. Incumbents may have extensive public contact, which entails explanation of property tax laws, and assessment policies and procedures.

This class differs from the higher level classification of Assessment Technician in that Assessment Technicians perform complex technical assessment activities requiring significant decisions based upon the analysis and evaluation of deeds, ownership transfers, or complex welfare exemptions; act as technical resources; and may perform lead duties to assessment clerical staff.

Positions in this class are generally assigned to a specific area, which perform a portion of the appraisal tasks listed below. Tasks may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Processes property transfers by reviewing recorded ownership documents by verifying grantors name, APN, and property description against existing records; reviews claims and declarations for various property tax exemptions and re-appraisability; creates and updates transfer history charts which illustrate ownership and interest changes; calculates interest conveyed to ownership principals; identifies and investigates errors made in the property transfer process; identifies and resolves defects of title or legal description; posts changes in ownership, taxability, mailing addresses, tax rate areas, and addresses to various records; contacts title companies, taxpayers, and attorneys regarding titles and transfers; analyzes and processes a variety of surveys and questionnaires.

Updates and maintains mainframe computer records relating to value transmittals, sales confirmations, property splits, combinations and revisions, address and site changes, new building permits and tax code areas requiring speed and a high degree of accuracy; recognizes incorrect entries on source documents, and refers them to appropriate personnel for correction prior to entry into the computer file; creates line item check tapes for daily balancing; sorts and files keyed value transmittals; analyzes assessment roll edit reports to identify errors for corrective action.

Processes parcel splits, tax cancellations and tax segregations; updates files to reflect cancellations and segregations.

Assists the public by answering routine questions relating to title of property, standard assessment and parcel maps, appraisal and supplemental tax roll, referring more complex questions to the appropriate sources; acts as a resource to the public and to County employees regarding the appraisal records processed and maintained.

Operates standard office equipment including a computer terminal for the purpose of entering and retrieving data; composes and prepares correspondence; may provide vacation or other temporary relief for other classes.

Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of assessment procedures and practices.
• Working knowledge of legal documents applying to the purchase, lease, sale and transfer of real property.
• Working knowledge of office procedures and practices.
• Working knowledge of vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Some knowledge of property tax laws.

Abilities:

• Perform general assessment clerical work involving independent judgment and requiring accuracy and speed.
• Understand and apply assessment laws, rules and procedures to specific situations.
• Identify and investigate problems.
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with those contacted in the course of business.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Implement new work methods and procedures to meet changing needs.
• Spell correctly.
• Make arithmetic computations.
• Operate a video display terminal.
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Type at a moderate rate of speed may be required.

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

One year of journey level clerical experience processing assessment records in a county Assessors Office.