REAL ESTATE APPRAISER III (Internal candidates only)

City Assessor Job

Under general supervision, this position performs technical work appraising complex residential land and buildings at fair market value within the City of Portsmouth. Position reports to the Deputy City Assessor.

Gathers property assessment data at owner premises, verifying data against previously recorded data, and recording discrepancies. Performs complex appraisals of residential land and buildings and improvements to use as the basis for tax assessments; makes field inspections; and responds to inquiries covering appraisals.

Analyzes market trends and takes part in the annual compilation of residential pricing schedules for use in estimating real property values by collecting current cost / sales information from contractors, manuals, realtors, and others, then computing estimations.

Reviews and re-evaluates residential land values citywide. Collects and analyzes information from a variety of sources and applies the analysis in the assessment of real property of varying complexity; analysis may include ratio studies, statistical or sales analysis or other analytical techniques as needed.

Appraises property, both manually and with a Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) system utilizing the cost, sales comparison and value.

Assists in the preparation and defense of assessments in court proceedings; assists in public hearings, investigating complaints and discrepancies, and resolves issues.

Completes necessary paperwork to create new parcels in new or existing subdivisions, as well as combinations, splits or voided parcels.

Examines deeds for ownership. Maintains neighborhood and other pertinent files.

Provides information to the general public; keeps abreast of current and future issues and trends; may review plans prepared by contractors to ensure compliance with city codes, State regulations, design, and construction standards.

Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Has general knowledge of state and local laws and policies applicable to appraisal and assessment of real property assessment for tax purposes. Has general knowledge of policies, practices and procedures used in assessing residential property for tax purposes. Has general knowledge of laws, rules and regulations covering real property appraisal and assessment. Has general knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration. Is able to use common office machines. Is able to compile technical information from a variety of sources and prepare clear and concise reports. Is able to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in analyzing and applying standards to a variety of situations. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts within department and division, and with co-workers and the general public.

Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."

Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.

Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the department and project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, City Assessor, professionals and the general public.

Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establish a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.

Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Requires graduation from high school supplemented by specialized training in real property and 3 to 5 years of experience in real property appraisal; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check.

A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Possession of a valid Real Estate Appraisal Licensed issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia within one year of employment.

All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and / or city-wide emergencies.

Incumbent can only advise, conduct or participate in real estate activities within the City of Portsmouth within the scope of their employment.

Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines which include computer, adding machine, calculators, copiers, facsimile machines, telephones, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and / or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary Work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time.

Requires the ability to compare and / or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Requires the ability of speaking and / or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments and / or directions to subordinates or assistants.

Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, land records, reports, records, forms, statistical summaries, policy manuals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, records, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Requires the 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 diagrammatical form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using Standard English.

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs.

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment.

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye / hand / foot coordination.

Does not require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress when confronted with persons acting under stress.

Requires the ability to talk and / or hear : (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).