ASSESSMENT TECHNICIAN (#BL5 )

$26.66-$33.79 hourly / $4,621.00-$5,857.00 monthly / $55,452.80-$70,283.20 yearly

Under direction, to perform complex technical assessment activities or functions requiring the ability to make significant decisions based upon the analysis of the legal documents processed by the Assessor's Office, applying a knowledge of the laws and regulations governing the assessment process; assist in the preparation and maintenance of the assessment rolls; act as a technical resource for staff and the public within assigned area; may perform lead duties to assessment clerical staff; and to do other work as required.

Positions in this class are distinguished from the lower level classification of Assessment Clerk by the ongoing assignment of the more complex, technical activities in support of Assessor's Office function. Incumbents act as a resource for staff and the public in assigned areas, and may provide technical direction and training to assessment clerical staff.

This class differs from the Assessment Roll Supervisor in that the latter plans, supervises and assigns work to assessment and technical clerical staff, providing direction and guidance for the most complex and difficult interpretations of assessment rules and regulations.

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

Analyzes and processes complex ownership documents; determines re-appraisability and fractional interests conveyed in complex ownership transfers; determines eligibility for a variety of exemptions; verifies property transfer information with parcel maps.

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

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

Determines eligibility for welfare and local exemptions by reviewing claims and supporting documentation for completeness, timeliness, and reasonability to assure conformity with filing requirements; contacts other public agencies to clarify duplicate and conflicting taxpayer exemption claims; performs field inspections; calculates amount of exemption, and penalties for delinquent filing; forwards claims to the State Board of Equalization for review of determination; prepares exemption application reports for the State Board of Equalization.

Assists in roll preparation and maintenance; processes and analyzes roll changes, sending appropriate information to the Tax Collector's and Auditor's Offices; assists in roll reconciliation; resolves the more difficult supplemental roll, recording and change of ownership or value problems.

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.

Works with the Auditor's and Tax Collector's Offices, Data Processing Department, title companies, attorneys, and state agencies to resolve complex transfer, exemption, and supplemental roll problems.

May perform lead duties to a small group of assessment clerical staff including training, distribution, assignment and review of their work.

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 legal documents applying to the purchase, lease, sale and transfer of real property.
• Working knowledge of the Revenue Tax Code property tax laws, within area of assignment.
• Working knowledge of office procedures and practices.
• Working knowledge of vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Some knowledge of supervision and training.

Abilities

• Perform complex technical assessment functions involving independent judgment and requiring accuracy and speed.
• Make significant decisions based upon the analysis of the legal documents processed by the Assessor's Office.
• Understand and apply assessment laws, rules and procedures to specific situations.
• Complete assignments to meet deadline requirements.
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with those contacted in the course of business.
• Provide advice and technical direction to staff in assigned area.
• Train subordinate staff.
• 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:

Two years of journey level clerical experience, including one year of experience equivalent to Assessment Clerk in a county Assessors office.

Special Requirement

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required for some positions.