Property Appraiser

Property Appraiser

Performs intermediate skilled technical work locating, identifying, viewing, measuring, photographing, and recording property data; and appraising all property types in their assigned districts in order to establish an estimate of market value for ad valorem tax purposes in accordance with State is performed under the limited supervision of an Assistant County Assessor.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

• Conducts property appraisals in a fair and equitable manner using mass appraisal techniques; determines classification of all property according to use and in compliance with state statute; analyzes sales data and sales ratios; reconciles final values using the sales, cost, and income approaches to value properties.
• Schedules and completes statutorily mandated quintile reviews along with reviews of all new construction and other property in their assigned district as necessary.
• Prepares for and conducts Local and County Board of Appeal & Equalization meetings by producing presentations for City Council members, Township officials, County Commissioners, and the general public.
• Performs review appraisals and prepares in-depth appraisals; reports on specific properties as requested by County Assessor and/or Assistant County Assessor(s) assists local appraisers with difficult appraisals.
• Maintains accurate records on all taxable and tax-exempt properties.
• Interprets and administers new laws and regulations under direction of the County Assessor and/or Assistant County Assessor(s) and accurately applies them to property valuations and classifications; researches, interprets, and applies real estate market trends; reviews accuracy of, property records and assessments of other appraisers.
• Works with property owners to explain and defend the assessment process, including providing supporting documentation of the valuation process as well as explaining state statutes, office policies and procedures.
• Represents the County in a professional manner, providing customer service and information to the public, professionals, and government officials, both in person and over the phone.
• Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED, and two years of experience in real estate or property assessment, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Associates/Technical degree preferred.

Special Requirements

Must hold a professional designation as a Certified Minnesota Assessor (CMA) or obtain within two years of hire.

Must obtain the professional designation of Accredited Minnesota Assessor (AMA) within five years of earning the CMA designation as a condition of continued employment and must satisfy continuing education requirements as established by the State Board of Assessors to maintain license.

A valid driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of property appraisal; knowledge and ability to obtain the requirements for certification as an Assessor by Minnesota law; knowledge of laws pertinent to local property tax assessment and the ability to explain them to the general public; knowledge of construction practices, materials, and types; skill in the use of standard office equipment, including digital cameras, tablets, laser measurement tools, and computer and software programs; verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively draft and present technical information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences; reading comprehension skills sufficient to understand and interpret technical documents; interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and/or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships; ability to learn computer systems specific to the County and Department; ability to conduct Boards of Review meetings; ability to analyze factors which influence the value of property and to exercise sound judgment in determining property values; ability to review the work of local assessors and to train, direct, and review the work of temporary employees; ability to make mathematical computations and tabulations with speed and accuracy required for tax purposes; ability to read and interpret blueprints of proposed buildings and legal descriptions, as well as draw and/or locate legal descriptions on maps; ability to enter data quickly and accurately; ability to create computerized sketches of buildings using appropriate software; ability to deal with persons who are emotionally upset; ability to pay attention to detail and effectively organize time and anticipate, plan and successfully respond to changing circumstances, pressure and deadlines; ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices; ability to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions.

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting and speaking or hearing and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather) and exposure to the risk of electrical shock; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).