Appraiser I - Assessment Office

County Of Lehigh Pennsylvania•Allentown, PA

10d

About The Position

The Appraiser I is responsible for determining values of residential and agricultural land, buildings, and building improvements for tax assessment purposes. Essential job duties for this position include the following items. Other duties must be performed as assigned or required. Study building plans, specifications, and sales information to gather data required for appraisals, such as zoning, size, use, location, quality of construction, depreciation, and cost and market data. Visit and inspect property, including residential and agricultural, to gather and/or verify such information. Measure and list data about property, verify information, and determine validity of sales data. Determine and/or verify factors such as size and type of construction, including quality of workmanship and materials. Determine conformance to filed plans and specifications. Review and analyze information collected; upon licensure, determine appraised value of residential and agricultural property, considering market trends, depreciation, observed obsolescence, costs, and other factors affecting property values. Correlate estimates made by various recognized methods to arrive at a fair appraisal value. Talk with property owners and taxpayers, supplying information, answering questions, and resolving complaints regarding assessment appraisal techniques and/or appraised values. Complete forms and checklists and make narrative notes of information found analyses performed, and determination reached. Maintain records of appraisals. Perform related work as required.

Requirements

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information.
High school diploma or GED equivalent
Completion of a basic course of study under the aegis of the Assessors' Association of Pennsylvania, or the International Association of Assessing Officers within 12 months of employment.
Designation as a Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator (C.P.E.) as administered by the State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers within 12 months of employment.
Six (6) months of real property appraisal or assessment experience.
Basic knowledge of factors affecting residential and agricultural property values.
Basic knowledge of mathematical methods and techniques used to determine shape, size, and area of structures or parcels of land.
Basic knowledge of residential construction practices.
Ability to determine and secure factors needed to appraise residential and agricultural properties.
Ability to study and utilize current market trends, sales, zoning and related elements affecting real property values.
Ability to read and understand building construction plans and specifications.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, property owners, and the general public.
Must possess a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and have a safe driving record.
Equivalent combination of acceptable training and experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited above.

Responsibilities

Study building plans, specifications, and sales information to gather data required for appraisals, such as zoning, size, use, location, quality of construction, depreciation, and cost and market data.
Visit and inspect property, including residential and agricultural, to gather and/or verify such information.
Measure and list data about property, verify information, and determine validity of sales data.
Determine and/or verify factors such as size and type of construction, including quality of workmanship and materials.
Determine conformance to filed plans and specifications.
Review and analyze information collected; upon licensure, determine appraised value of residential and agricultural property, considering market trends, depreciation, observed obsolescence, costs, and other factors affecting property values.
Correlate estimates made by various recognized methods to arrive at a fair appraisal value.
Talk with property owners and taxpayers, supplying information, answering questions, and resolving complaints regarding assessment appraisal techniques and/or appraised values.
Complete forms and checklists and make narrative notes of information found analyses performed, and determination reached.
Maintain records of appraisals.
Perform related work as required.