Appraiser I

General Summary

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system which offers both a defined benefit and a defined contribution option. While the City does not participate in VRS, the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Makes field inspections of real property and answers inquiries concerning assessment process when possible.
• Maintains current files and records of tax appraisal activities and associated documentation; responsible for updating photos of real property.
• Interviews personnel familiar with property, inspects property, searches public records of sales, leases, assessments and other transactions to determine proper value.
• Takes measurements of buildings, including but not limited to outbuildings, porches, patio’s, decks, etc.
• Collects, reviews, and/or enters data contained in building permit changes, as applicable for supplemental assessment.
• Collects data relative to number of rooms, type of construction, age and other conditions affecting values, makes calculations and applies such data to appraisals of specific buildings, using calculators and computer assisted mass appraisal software.
• Ensures equitable assessments of City property by performing parcel classifications, size verification and condition determination when conducting field inspections of individual parcels.
• Enters data into CAMA (Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal) software, with attention to detail and accuracy; accurately sketch buildings into appropriate software.
• Maintains acceptable sales ratio for land and buildings by identifying and comparing specific quality, size and characteristics.
• Makes recommendations to Appraiser Supervisor on reassessment of assigned neighborhoods.
• Collects data and other pertinent facts to assist Appraiser Supervisor in appeal cases and requests for changes in valuation.
• Keeps abreast of local property trends and of modern appraisal methods and techniques.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

• Acts as a backup for answering the phones.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education such as college.

• Associate degree with course work in real estate, business, finance, economics, or related field AND some experience which relates to an understanding of appraisal principles, theories, methods and techniques; and data collection and/or computer entry experience.

• High School Diploma or GED AND at least 1 year of experience which relates to an understanding of appraisal principles, theories, methods and techniques; and data collection and/or computer entry experience.

• 3 or more years of experience which relates to an understanding of appraisal principles, theories, methods and techniques; and data collection and/or computer entry experience.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

• Within 2 years of start date, must successfully complete and pass the IAAO (International Association of Assessing Officers) Course 101: Fundamentals of Real Property Appraisal.
• Within 3 years of start date, must complete and pass IAAO Course 102: Income Approach to Value.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to City criteria.
• Must meet qualifications prescribed by the Department of Taxation.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

• Previous experience in an Assessor’s Office.

• General knowledge of the principles and practices of mass appraising for assessment purposes.
• General knowledge of building construction practices and for building and land values.
• Working knowledge of the state laws, charter provision and municipal ordinances relating to real property assessing.

• Intermediate: ability to read and understand newspapers, magazines, journals, multi-step instruction manuals, and reference materials. Ability to read and understand building construction plans and specifications, cadastral mapping, and GIS systems.

• Intermediate: ability to write reports, prepare business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

• Intermediate: ability to deal with a system of real numbers, and practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.

• Intermediate: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, city officials, other employees, the general public, and others. Decisions regarding interpretation of existing policies may be made. Contacts may involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.

• Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.

• Skilled: work requires a comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Ability to operate standard office equipment, computers, calculators. Proficient in basic software packages such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and in special financial reporting and tracking systems used within functional area.

• No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

• Effective time management and organizational skills; sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Frequent change of tasks.
• Tedious or exacting work.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Works closely with others as part of a team.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Requires ability to move over rough or uneven surfaces, bending, stooping, and standing.
• Must frequently operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer.

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned, including using and reading a tape measure.

• Primarily works in an office where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust; however, in the course of field visits, may be exposed to uneven surfaces, extreme temperatures, outdoor weather conditions, and allergens.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or [email protected].

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City’s policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City’s policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.