Real Estate Appraiser I

City of Portsmouth•Portsmouth, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The position works in partnership with other staff in the Assessor’s Office. Responsibilities include performing entry level real estate appraisals on land and residential buildings. The class works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences. Position reports to the Deputy City Assessor.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or successful completion of a GED.
One year of experience appraising real estate (mass appraisal experience preferred).
An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check.
A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
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.
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.
Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments and/or directions to subordinates or assistants.
Ability to read a variety of correspondence, land records, reports, records, forms, statistical summaries, policy manuals, etc.
Ability to prepare reports, correspondence, records, forms, 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 diagrammatical form; 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 using Standard English.
Ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract, multiply and divide.
Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs.
Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment.
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.
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.
Ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field of study is preferred.
A combination of education and real estate valuation experience may be considered for this position.
A Licensed Residential Appraiser License, or Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser License or ability to achieve within two years is preferred.

Responsibilities

Gathers, reviews, and evaluates property information to make plans for appraisals and assessed values.
Conducts field appraisals of all new constructions, renovations, and/or additions which includes taking measurements of structures and collecting other relevant data affecting fair market values.
Calculates the fair market value of appraised property and prepares data for entry and reporting procedures.
Verifies and updates property information to ensure accuracy of parcel, sale, and tax assessment data.
Responds to inquiries, concerns, and request for information relating to property appraisals.
Confers with builders and other related parties to collect information and determine any special conditions that would affect property appraisals.
Appraises properties, coordinates the tax abatement program, performs sales validations and completes taxpayer reviews.
Assists with preparing for assessment appeal hearings and appears before the Board of Review when necessary to defend assessments.
Annually reviews and analyzes assessments using Sales Study Report.
Prepares sales comparative, special reports, and scale drawings.
Updates appraisal systems due to permits, demolitions or re-zoning.
Responds to customer and public inquiries.
Examines deeds for ownership, metes and bounds.
Demonstrates regular and punctual attendance.
Performs other related work as required.
Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.
Candidate also works on assignments autonomously and should be self-sufficient and self-motivated while adhering to protocol and guidelines of The Office.
Position is also an interactive and interdisciplinary role, so must be able to gracefully receive criticism and feedback about the work performed, suggestions, changes, and updates to the position/requirements.
Successful performance in the position will expand the Office’s mission by providing knowledgeable, courteous, efficient and professional execution of duties.
Also requires helping the Office and other Departments with which the Assessor’s Office interacts, and citizens, property owners, and other affiliated personnel, while understanding that the position also requires the ability to perform professionally and calmly when confronted with stressful moments and/or stressful persons.
Position responsibilities and requirements also include all those as applied by the Department of Human Resources and as needed per the Assessor’s determination as the business environment/requirement may change.
Position provides support of co-workers responsibilities as needed.
Taking calls and responding to owner inquiries as needed.
Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities.
Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines.
Demonstrates analytical judgement and engages immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility.
Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet goals and objectives established by the Office.
Share knowledge with Supervisors and staff for mutual Assessor’s Office benefit.
Contributes in a positive manner to Office morale and brings concerns to the Assessor, Deputy Assessor and Supervisor as needed/required.
Maintains cooperative and courteous relationships tactfully and effectively with co-workers and other Departments, representatives from organizations with which the Office and City interact; and the general public so as to maintain goodwill.
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 interactions within The Office, and with co-workers and the general public.
Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."
Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with Assessor’s Office 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 Office 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.
Inquires for further understanding on instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with Office policy or procedures, etc.
Offers suggestions and recommendations to the Office Management Team, to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the Office.
Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and Office benefit.
Contributes to maintaining high morale among all Office employees.
Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with Office employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the Office and project a good Office image.
Under the supervision and upon the authority of The City Assessor, tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and concerns from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city.
Interacts effectively with fellow employees, City Assessor, Deputy Assessor, staff 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 Assessor and general city expectations and various regulatory agencies.
Sees that the standards are not violated.
Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.