Spotsylvania County is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace. Employees are prohibited from manufacturing, distributing, possessing or using controlled substances such as marijuana. A positive drug test result, confirmed use or impairment can be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination in accordance with our personnel policies.
A positive pre-employment drug test will also disqualify a candidate for hire.
General Statement of Job
Under minimal direction, assists in directing operations and activities of the Assessment Department, performs responsible, professional and technical work of considerable difficulty assessing complex residential and agricultural real property, including the less complex commercial/industrial and tax exempt properties. Work involves gathering property assessment data at owner premises, verifying data against previously recorded data, and recording discrepancies. Employee is responsible for contacting property owners; photographing and sketching layouts of structures; and determining the size, type of construction, grade of materials, quality of workmanship and other related appraisal data needed to arrive at the assessed value. As Computer-Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) Specialist, the employee will assist in the planning, implementation and organization of the department's use of the CAMA system. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in completing appraisals of properties. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate appraisers as assigned.
Special Duties & Responsibilities
• • Appraises complex residential and acreage-type properties and less complex income producing properties; determines exterior and interior dimensions of buildings, including the foundation, exterior walls, type of roofing, number of rooms, basement area, interior finish, type insulation, type of heating and air conditioning system(s), and type of fireplace. Determines functional and physical depreciation of the structure; determines the grade of a structure according to a predetermined scale. Also works new construction, splits, rezoning, etc.
- Interprets building plans, information pertaining to sales, and specifications to obtain data regarding size, type of construction and other factors that affect property value.
- Analyzes market data and sales ratio to measure and improve equalization.
- Confers with property owners to obtain information and/or explain property assessment methods, procedures, techniques, values, etc.
- Locates and identifies all real property within the County's jurisdiction.
- Studies local markets, building trends, and modern appraisal methods and techniques.
- Assists in development and maintenance of building, depreciation, and land value charts.
- Assists in training subordinate appraisal personnel.
- Reviews appraisals and makes recommendations to Chief Real Estate Appraiser as to whether or not assessments should be adjusted during appeals process.
- Appears before Board of Equalization to explain and defend assessments challenged by taxpayers.
- Communicates and collaborates with the County Attorney, or his designee, on appeals in preparing and supporting technical cases and presents expert testimony to defend contested assessments in court proceedings.
- Manages, plans, organizes, directs the implementation and use of the CAMA system; monitors status of work in progress: consults with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise.
- Acts as a lead appraisal consultant for the County, in their efforts and communications with the CAMA vendor, providing technical assistance as needed.
- Coordinates, advises that any new software integration into the County's CAMA system meets and maintains functional requirements, as well as County and State regulatory requirements.
- Reviews and analyzes existing applications' effectiveness and efficiency, and then develops strategies for improving these systems.
- Assists in ensuring departmental compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
- Consults with Chief Real Estate Appraiser, Commissioner of the Revenue and other officials to review department operations/activities, review/resolve problems, receive advice/direction, and provide recommendations.
- Provides technical leadership to project IS managers when needed.
- Provides Customer service; responds to questions, complaints, appeals, and requests for information/assistance; researches problem and initiates problem resolution.
- Assists in managing, coordinating, and /or performing special projects as assigned.
- Receives and responds to difficult, unusual and complex problems and inquiries in person or over the telephone.
- Plans and coordinates staff training with CAMA System as requested.
- Operates a computer to enter, retrieve review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, geographical information system (GIS), Internet, email, Marshall & Swift Residential Estimator or other programs; performs basic maintenance of computer system and office equipment, such as replacing paper, ink, or toner.
- Follows safety procedures, and utilizes safety equipment in proper manner.
- Aids in updating computerized County Tax Maps from recorded legal instruments.
- Oversees the necessary maintenance is performed on assigned vehicle.
- Provides technical support for operation of CAMA system; assist department staff with hardware/software questions, problems, and related issues; provides software instruction, troubleshoots hardware/software problems, and refers problems to technical support personnel as appropriate; runs computer queries and generates reports.
- Serves as liaison with Information Services (IS) Department regarding technology needs/issues; communicates departmental need to IS staff and recommends changes as appropriate; assists IS staff with activities involving development, revision, and testing of new programs; assists in creating new CAMA system; explains departmental work flow, processes, and business rules to IS staff to assist with software development.
- Maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attend workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
- Sets up and maintains a variety of files; maintains computer manuals and reference documentation.
- Assists in providing queries and statistics to the COR and Chief Appraiser.
- Produces and keeps an updated written instructions and procedures as they pertain to the CAMA System (SOP Manual, written "How to Steps").
- Researches records of various deeds to gather data pertaining to real estate sales; reviews maps, plots, building permits, etc., to gather recorded data pertaining to real property.
- Attends seminars, conferences, workshops, lectures etc. to enhance and maintain knowledge rules, regulations, trends and new developments in the field of Real Estate Appraisal and Assessment Administration; maintains professional affiliations.
- Provides user support as needed throughout the county on the CAMA Assessment Office system.
- Provides assistance to other employees and departments as needed.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Training & Experience
High School Diploma or equivalent, preferably Associate's Degree with major coursework in real estate, business management, or economics with three (3) to five (5) years of experience in the real estate environment; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.
Must possess a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Must possess an Appraisal License of Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser (or higher) issued by the Real Estate Appraisal Board of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Special Requirements
- Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the County and of departmental practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Appraiser III/CAMA Specialist.
- Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques used in real property assessment work.
- Knowledge in the use and implementation of CAMA Systems and their function in local government.
- Knowledge of the organization of the department, and of related departments and agencies.
- Knowledge and understanding of occupational hazards and of applicable safety practices.
- Knowledge of the rules, regulations and standards of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) as set forth by the Appraisal Foundation.
- Knowledge of the rules, regulations, and code of ethics of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO).
- Knowledge of the terminology, principles and practices associated with operation of computer systems, peripheral equipment, and software programs pertaining to Real Estate assessment and /or typically used within the department.
- Skill in assessment of residential and agricultural real property, and is less skilled in the assessment of commercial and industrial buildings, and improvements.
- Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in frequent contact with property owners, contractors and the general public.
- Ability to effectively communicate and interact with system users, technical staff members, supervisors, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the department.
- Ability to evaluate and resolve hardware/software operational problems, and to refer complex problems to technical service providers.
- Ability to provide effective software training/instruction to system users.
- Ability to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, computer operations, equipment needs, policies, etc., as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.
- Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
- Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
- Ability to use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision as situations warrant.
- Ability to exhibit mathematical ability to handle required calculations using percentages and decimals.
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency with computers and related software programs.
- Ability to read, understand, and interpret financial, technical, and computer reports and related materials.
- Ability to instruct and advise less experienced Appraisers.
- Ability to exercise tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with taxpayers.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in correctly evaluating a variety of residential and agricultural properties with limited assistance, commercial and industrial buildings, and building improvements.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
- Ability to perform the physical labor necessitated by work assignments.
- Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
- Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors, and giving instructions, assignments or directions to subordinates or assistants.
- Ability to read real property appraisals and assessments; sales ratio studies and finance audit reports; deeds, surveys and permits, etc.
- Ability to prepare reports, forms, studies, assessments, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
- Ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.
- Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
- Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering, legal, and real estate assessment terminology.
- Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply the theories of algebra, geometry, and descriptive statistics.
- Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be physically able to operate a variety of office machinery and equipment including drafting tools, tape measurer, calculator, computer, field laptops and tablet PCs, facsimile machine, camera, etc. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert up to 40 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station. Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape. Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as tape measures, scales, cameras, and office equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via a telephone. Tasks require the ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds). Requires the ability to perform semi-skilled coordinated movements, such as those required to operate office and appraisal equipment. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.
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