Real Estate Appraisal Technician

City of Fairfax•Va 22030, VA

About The Position

The Real Estate Appraisal Technician provides administrative and technical support for the assessment of real estate and the day-to-day operations of the department. Under general supervision of the Director, the role supports customer service, research and analysis, and the initiation and maintenance of assessment records. Work follows established procedures and is subject to review by the Real Estate Assessment Director. The position handles public inquiries and assessment records; researches deeds and other legal documents; maintains parcel, ownership, sales, permit, and assessment information; and supports appraisal staff, the Director, the Board of Equalization, and other City departments. Responsibilities also include budget and financial administration, preparation of notices and reports, tracking appeals, and assisting with property field inspections as needed.

Requirements

High school graduation or GED equivalent.
One year of experience in general office work or closely related experience.
Knowledge of principles of real estate, tax assessment, and appraisal.
Knowledge of standard office practices, procedures, equipment, and techniques.
Knowledge of business writing, grammar, punctuation, arithmetic, and basic algebra.
General knowledge of MS Office and other computer hardware and software.
Familiarity with state tax codes and ordinances involving real estate assessment, or the capacity to learn them.
Ability to read and understand legal documents pertaining to real property transactions.
Ability to read maps and locate tax records.
Ability to type accurately and take minutes at a reasonable rate of speed, if required.
Ability to make rapid and accurate data entries and arithmetic and algebraic calculations.
Ability to file numerically, alphabetically, and chronologically.
Ability to research legal records through established court record systems.
Ability to read plats, house location surveys, and blueprints.
Ability to use ancillary archiving software and other departmental software.
Ability to proofread, organize information logically, maintain files and records, and create organized schedules of appeals for Board hearings or property inspections.
Ability to learn City streets, neighborhoods, comparable areas, and individual properties for assessment purposes.
Ability to communicate effectively, understand and follow verbal and written instructions, and respond to a wide variety of phone requests for information.
Ability to explain office functions and inform individuals about procedures and relevant state tax codes and City ordinances concerning real estate assessment, the Board of Equalization, and real estate taxes.
Ability to learn new procedures and maintain effective working relationships with employees, the public, and Fairfax County employees.

Responsibilities

Answer and route telephone calls, emails, and walk-in inquiries, serving as a primary contact for public questions about assessments and assessment records.
Collect, enter, and maintain sales, deed, owner, address, permit, parcel, and assessment information, including deed transfers and new or deleted parcels.
Read and interpret deeds, plats, site plans, house location surveys, and related documents for accuracy; research legal records and property information.
Manage departmental accounts payable and receivable, bills, supplies, payroll submissions, timesheets, purchase orders, check disbursement requests, and budget records.
Enter building and trade permits and parcel changes that may affect assessments, and communicate changes to appraisal staff through monthly reports.
Serve as secretary to the Board of Equalization, including scheduling, communications, training, meeting preparation, notices, agendas, packages, attendance, minutes, hearing documentation, and follow-up actions.
Prepare, print, coordinate, and mail annual assessment notices and commercial income and expense reports.
Enter and balance annual supplemental reports and create, enter, and maintain abatements and assessment changes.
Review site plans, subdivision materials, plats, and deeds of dedication for the Community Development and Planning department; create new subdivisions, assign tax map numbers, and create new parcels in the computer system.
Track administrative and Board of Equalization appeals in the CAMA system and Excel; maintain related records, replies, and decisions; and assist with appeal responses and reports.
Prepare and maintain commercial income and expense surveys and assist with annual reports, the land book, and reports for other departments.
Reconcile recordation taxes owed to the City using reports from the City Treasurer’s Office and the CAMA system.
Assist the Director with revenue and expense projections and monitor and manage the department’s budget.
Assist appraisers with property field inspections, including new construction and measurements of existing properties, as needed.
Assist City departments and employees with the real estate database and questions concerning property records, rights-of-way, easements, and ownership.
Maintain computerized and manual office records, department web pages, building permit information, files, schedules, and correspondence; prepare periodic reports and respond to inquiries.
Assist in cyclical balancing of assessed values and taxes and organize and enter supplemental assessments.