Basic Job Purpose/Function

Real Property Appraiser I
This is an entry level position that is responsible for residential property and land appraisal work intended as a training program transitioning to a Real Property Appraiser II within one year. Appraises and establishes fair market value for residential property, assists the other Real Property Appraisers in determining appropriate land, building, and depreciation schedules under the general supervision of Chief Appraiser, and communicates with the public to explain procedures and answer questions.

Real Property Appraiser II
The first journey level appraisal work for appraising and establishing fair market value for residential property. Incumbents allocated to this classification are responsible for determining the value of land or property for tax assessment purposes under the general supervision of Chief Appraiser. Employees are expected to perform the work of a higher class for training purposes.

Essential Job Duties

Real Property Appraiser I
Essential Job Duties:

• Positions in this classification are responsible for learning the processes of determining the value of land and property for tax assessment purposes.
• Performs field inspections of existing property and gathers information on new construction and parcel improvements to place a true and fair market value on the property and determine a tax base for fair and equal taxation. Enters information gathered from the field onto computerized appraisal sheets and calculates market values using methods prescribed by the appraisal profession. Measures, grades, and verifies the condition of existing structures and new construction. Takes photographs of property and places on correct parcel.
• Utilizes the computer to perform a variety of analyses, including sales, and to maintain current data base; enters valuation information; analyzes recorded sales using parcel data and spreadsheets to qualify and quantify sales; completes statistical comparisons of similar properties to document and defend assessed values; applies property trending techniques and depreciation tables to compute values. May assist in defending assessed values with presentations to the Board of Equalization or State Board of Tax Appeals.
• Learns and carries out administrative and clerical duties in the real property assessment division as assigned for training purposes.
• Reviews and inspects destroyed properties to determine the amount of loss so that appropriate adjustments can be made to taxable parcels. Physically inspects each portion of the parcel that has been destroyed or removed.
• Responds to taxpayers' questions and complaints and performs review appraisals as requested which may be in person, by phone or in writing. Explains valuation methods and procedures and how the particular value was calculated. Inform taxpayers of their courses of action if they remain unsatisfied by the explanation.
• Provides assistance with market and sales analysis. Collects and compiles sales information from local property sales to assemble cost schedules to be used in comparative market analysis and to evaluate property in the surrounding area.
• Responds to inquiries, complaints, or requests for information from other departments, agencies, and the general public by phone, in person, or in writing, providing information or assistance within the scope of knowledge or authority, or referring to appropriate individual.
• Updates records, maps, and files using information gathered during field inspection activities to assure the accuracy of future inspections.
• Provides assistance to Senior Property Appraiser and/or Supervisor Assessor as needed.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Real Property Appraiser II
Essential Job Duties:

• Performs field inspections of existing property such as residential, condominiums, manufactured homes and farms for valuation. Determines fair market value using a combination of three approaches to value (cost, market, and income).
• Inspects and investigates all building permits for valuation. Analyzes building permits and blueprints and maps, legal descriptions and new plats.
• Classifies, measures, photographs and draws to scale structures or improvements thereon.
• Enters information gathered from the field onto computerized appraisal sheets and calculates market values using methods prescribed by the appraisal profession. Measures, grades, and verifies the condition of existing structures and new construction. Takes photographs of property and places on correct parcel. Maintain accurate records.
• Utilizes the computer to perform a variety of analyses, including sales, and to maintain current data base; enters valuation information; analyzes recorded sales using parcel data and spreadsheets to qualify and quantify sales; completes statistical comparisons of similar properties to document and defend assessed values; applies property trending techniques and depreciation tables to compute values.
• May defend assessed values with presentations to the Board of Equalization or State Board of Tax Appeals.
• Learns and carries out administrative and clerical duties in the real property assessment division as assigned for training purposes.
• Reviews and inspects destroyed properties to determine the amount of loss so that appropriate adjustments can be made to taxable parcels. Physically inspects each portion of the parcel that has been destroyed or removed.
• Responds to taxpayers' questions and complaints and performs review appraisals as requested which may be in person, by phone or in writing. Explains valuation methods and procedures and how the particular value was calculated. Inform taxpayers of their courses of action if they remain unsatisfied by the explanation.
• Provides assistance with market and sales analysis. Collects and compiles sales information from local property sales to assemble cost schedules to be used in comparative market analysis and to evaluate property in the surrounding area.
• Responds to inquiries, complaints, or requests for information from other departments, agencies, and the general public by phone, in person, or in writing, providing information or assistance within the scope of knowledge or authority, or referring to appropriate individual.
• Updates records, maps, and files using information gathered during field inspection activities to assure the accuracy of future inspections.
• Provides assistance to Senior Property Appraiser and/or Supervisor Assessor as needed. This may include, but not limited to, levies and sales analyst.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements/Minimum Qualifications

Real Property Appraiser I

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques and related tools/equipment to accomplish the basic function of this position, including any safety and/or legal requirements. This may, but not necessarily, include specialized skills.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to learn and perform this work (per RCW 36.21.015). A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

High school diploma or GED with additional coursework in business, accounting, and real estate appraisal. To continue in the Assessor's Office the employee must successful complete Real Property Appraiser Accreditation through the Washington Department of Revenue, or its equlivant, after completion of one year appraiser work experience and within the Assessor's prescribed timelines.

Real Property Appraiser II

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques and related tools/equipment to accomplish the basic function of this position, including any safety and/or legal requirements. This may, but not necessarily, include specialized skills.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to learn and perform this work (per RCW 36.21.015). A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

High school diploma or GED with additional coursework in business, accounting, and real estate appraisal. Minimum of one year experience as a Real Property Appraiser 1 or equivalent which provided an equal understanding of building materials and construction techniques or related field. Training sponsored by IAAO, Washington State Department of Revenue or other recognized organization in the field of real property appraisal.

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements

Real Property Appraiser I
Valid state driver's license in state of residence.

Real Property Appraiser II
Valid state driver's license in state of residence.
Real Property Appraiser accreditation by the Washington Department of Revenue.

Real Property Appraiser I or II
Working Conditions

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Employee will work in the office 40% of their time. Office work is generally conducted at a desk. The other 60% of their time is performed in the field and is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Work pressure, disturbances in workflow, and/or irregularities in work schedule are expected and occur on a regular basis.
• The position requires continuous and/or frequent talking, repetitive motions of hand/wrists, hearing, and handling. Mental activities required the employee in this position include decision making, interpersonal skills, supervisory skills, teamwork, creativity, customer service, mentoring, use of discretion, presentations/teaching, problem analysis, negotiation, and the ability to perform math and to read, write, speak and understand English. Required physical activities can include frequent keyboard fingering, talking, repetitive motions of hands and wrists, sitting, hearing and lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying up to 10 pounds.
• Respectful and courteous to customers, workers, and County leadership. A team player that helps the organization meets its objectives. Takes initiative to meet work objectives. Effectively communicates with customers and other County employees. Friendly and respectful to customers and other County employees. Gets along with co-workers and managers. Positively represents the County, maintaining the trust County residents have placed in each of us. Demonstrates honest and ethical behaviors.
• This position requires frequent and year round operation of county 4wheel drive passenger vehicles and pick-up trucks. It requires operating vehicles on primitive roads under challenging conditions, including mud and snow. It requires operating in remote areas of the county that do not have cell phone service or other means of communications. It requires the ability to read maps to locate property. The employee in this position may operate alone or with a partner. Property owners are not always happy to see tax appraisers, and employee occasionally have to deal with unfriendly people when performing field inspections. Enthusiastic dogs may also be encountered. Because of these operating conditions, the employee in this position must maintain good situational awareness, have good judgement and decision making skills, be able to defuse tense situations, and be comfortable operating with a high degree of independence and self-sufficiency.
• There will be times when it is not possible to drive all of the way to the property to be inspected. This may be due to a gate, an impassable driveway, a cabin set back in the woods, or walking further onto the property to see if it has a view. In these circumstances, it may be necessary for the appraiser to walk some distance under adverse weather or topographical conditions.