Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Appraiser I

Recruitment #14-2610-01

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Postmarks are not accepted.  Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Supplemental Questionnaire:  A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Postmarks are not accepted.  Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

DESCRIPTION

The Assessor’s Office is currently seeking an Appraiser I to contribute enthusiastically to its mission to provide timely and accurate appraisal services in a manner resulting in fair and equitable treatment for all Alameda County taxpayers.  With a proposed staffing level of 175.47 full‐time equivalent positions, this team of professionals provides mandated assessment services performed in accordance with the California Constitution, Revenue and Taxation Code, Government Code, and State Board of Equalization guidelines and directives.

The primary mandated services of the Assessor's Office include: locate and identify the ownership of all taxable property in Alameda County; determine the taxability of all property; determine the reappraisability of property changing ownership or having new construction added; annually assess all real estate in accordance with the provisions of Article XIIIA of the State Constitution (Proposition 13); annually assess all taxable personal property at its fair market value; determine and apply all legal exemptions against these assessments; and surrender an accurate assessment roll to the Auditor's Office prior to July 1st each year.  To learn about other major functions of the Assessor's Office please visit the Assessor’s website at: http://www.acgov.org/assessor

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Appraiser I operates under close supervision in a training capacity, to appraise real property and to do related work as required.  This classification is found only in the Office of the Assessor.

Positions in this classification are distinguished from those in the next higher class of Appraiser II in that the latter is the journey-level classification in the Appraiser series, in which incumbents perform the full range of residential appraisal duties, including manufactured homes, multiple family residential, and rural real property appraisals under general supervision. Appraisers I receive instruction and perform appraisal duties under close supervision at the trainee level. Newly appointed Appraisers I are assigned to either the Training Officer of the Office of the Assessor or a Supervising Appraiser II and participate in a one-year training program in appraisal theory and practice. This program includes classroom and on-the-job training on replacement cost, market and income approaches to value. The program is intended to assist Appraisers I in their preparation for the appraiser certification test administered by the California State Board of Equalization and to expose them to information which incumbents in the journey-level classification of Appraiser II must understand and employ. Appraisers I are expected to learn the duties of the next-higher classification and to promote to Appraiser II upon completion of the training period.  

IDEAL CANDIDATES

In addition to the minimum qualifications and knowledge and skills listed below, ideal candidates for this position will also exemplify the following critical attributes for success: 

  • Someone capable of self direction who possesses the ability to effectively manage one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed in an efficient manner and on time.  
  • A collaborative spirit eager to actively participate as a member of a team contributing successfully to the completion of goals and objectives aligned with the mission, vision and values of the Assessor’s Office.
  • Comfortable acting on their own initiative to achieve goals beyond expectations, someone who can identify opportunities and issues, takes prompt action to accomplish objectives, and proactively follows through on work activities to capitalize or resolve them.
  • A continuous learner who regularly creates and takes advantage of learning opportunities and  readily applies newly gained knowledge and skill on the job; someone open to differing and new perspectives, attitudes, and behaviors, who takes steps to continuously evaluate and improve performance.
  • Someone with the capacity to quickly assimilate and apply new job-related information in a timely manner.
  • An effective communicator with strong writing skills who clearly conveys information and ideas and interacts with others by relating well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations; and who exemplifies understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness.
  • Someone with a sufficient level of real property appraisal, building cost estimation,  right-of-way  or licensed building contractor technical knowledge and skill that would prepare one for a trainee level professional opportunity; someone driven to learn who can keep up with current developments and trends in the field .
  • A keen attention to detail and the ability to accomplishes tasks by considering all pertinent information, accurately checking processes and tasks, and consistently performing and monitoring work overtime.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

Qualification by one of the following means specified in California Revenue and Taxation Code (hereinafter R & TC) Sections 670(a), 673, and California Property Tax Rules 282 and 283 for a temporary appraiser’s certificate issued by the California State Board of Equalization:

1.  Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; OR

2.  High school graduation (or possession of a GED) and four years of full-time (or equivalent part-time hours)
     “relevant experience,” as hereinbelow described; OR

3.  Any combination of the equivalent of four years of “relevant experience” as hereinbelow described and of
     education in an accredited institution of higher education. When fewer than four years of education in
     an accredited institution of higher education are used to meet the minimal qualifications, the number of qualifying
     years or fractions thereof shall be determined by the number of units in which passing grades were received. One
     year of education requirement shall consist of either 30 semester units or 45 quarter units.

Relevant Experience means employment experience within the last ten years in any of the following occupations:

As used in paragraphs “2” and “3” above, “relevant experience” includes and is limited to the following:

A)   Experience as an accountant-auditor, real property appraiser, building cost estimator, engineer, real estate loan
       agent, real estate loan underwriter, right-of-way agent, licensed building contractor; OR

B)   Experience as a real estate licensee, licensed by the California Department of Real Estate, engaged in buying,
       selling, leasing or managing real estate; OR

C)   Experience as an Appraiser’s Aide or Appraiser Trainee in an Assessor’s office or the Property Tax
       Department of the California State Board of Equalization; OR

D)   Experience as an employee, other than an Appraiser, Appraiser Aide, or Appraiser Trainee, of an assessor’s
       office or of the Property Tax Department of the California State Board of Equalization, except that such
       employment time shall be limited to qualifying for only two-thirds of the four-year experience requirement. The
       remaining one-third of time shall be accumulated by other relevant experience as described in subparagraphs
       (A), (B), and (C) above or by education in an accredited institution of higher education.

Or II

Possession of a current, valid, permanent, inactive permanent or a temporary appraiser’s certificate issued by the California State Board of Equalization.

Special Requirements

1.   As to appointees who do not already possess a current, valid, permanent or temporary appraiser’s certificate
      issued by the California State Board of Equalization, continued employment after appointment to this
      classification is contingent upon the California State Board of Equalization’s acceptance of the appointee’s
      qualifications and the Board’s issuance of a temporary appraiser’s certificate.

2.   In addition to qualifying for a temporary appraiser’s certificate issued by the California State Board of
      Equalization at the time of appointment, appointees who do not possess a permanent certificate must pass the
      appraiser’s permanent certification examination administered by the California State Board of Equalization
      within twelve months of appointment to this classification.

3.   Continued employment in this classification, beyond the twelve months specified in Special Requirement “2,”
      above and advancement to Appraiser II, is contingent upon the appointee obtaining a permanent appraiser’s
      certificate as hereinabove described.

4.   Incumbents are required to furnish their own automobile to use on the job. Mileage reimbursement for such use
      will be made.

License

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Physical Requirements

Incumbents must be able to climb stairs and hills.
Incumbents must be able to distinguish between the colors red, blue and green.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed in the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Ability to:

Learn the theory, methodology, practices and procedures involved in the appraisal of real property for ad valorem tax purposes.

  • Perform mathematical calculations, including arithmetic and plane geometry.
  • Make and understand simple scale drawings reflecting the size, shape, dimensions and physical characteristics of real property and improvements thereto.
  • Read and interpret Assessor’s maps and architectural building plans. Assemble, analyze and draw logical conclusions from data of the sort used in valuation of real property for ad valorem tax purposes. 
  • Keep accurate, detailed records.
  • Learn and use computers and computer equipment, software and programs used by the Assessor’s Office, including computer workstations, personal computers and peripheral devices, independently or as a part of a networked information system, for the purpose of entering, storing, retrieving, updating and working with data relevant to the appraisal and assessment of residential and rural property for ad valorem tax purposes.
  • Prioritize multiple assignments to meet deadlines.
  • Interview and elicit information from individuals by telephone and in person.
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Follow written and oral instructions.
  • Work effectively with the public and co-workers.
  • Organize and plan time for workload. 
  • Work independently.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF the following steps: 1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements.  Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process. 2) A written component that will be qualifying only. Those candidates scoring highest on the written exam will move on to the next step in the examination process. 3) An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score.  The oral interview may contain situational exercises. CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Selection Plan

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency. 

 

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

  • Deadline for Filing:  5:00pm, Friday, April 25, 2014
  • Review for Minimum Qualifications:  Friday, May 9, 2014
  • Written Examination: Friday, May 30, 2014
    Written Exam Study Guide:  www.jobaps.com/Alameda/sup/AppraiserIStudyManual.pdf
  • Panel Interviews:  Tuesday, June 24th and Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.  For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Welfare Benefits

  • Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
  • Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
  • Vision
  • Basic Life Insurance 
  • Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
  • County Allowance
  • Health Flexible Spending Account
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
  • Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

  • Short-term Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
  • Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

  • 11 paid holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation purchase program
  • Management Paid Leave**
  • Group Auto/Home
  • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Guaranteed Ride Home
  • Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
  • Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
  • Child Care Resources
  • 1st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email.  Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Annette Sandoval,  Human Resources Analyst I
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
510-272-6434

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer