Auditor-Appraiser I

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.

THE DEPARTMENT
The Assessor’s Office is currently seeking an Auditor-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

THE POSITION
Under supervision, Auditor-Appraiser I's perform audits, as required under California Revenue and Taxation Code (hereinafter R&TC), Section 469, of the books and records of businesses, to make appraisals of business personal property and trade fixtures for assessment purposes; and to perform related work as required.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will encompass the following attributes, and have demonstrated a successful track record as:

• 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.
• Someone 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 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 accounting, auditing and appraising 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 .
• Someone with 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.

Both qualifications “I” and “II” below must be met in order to satisfy the minimum qualifications for this classification.

I. Educational requirement 

    As specified in R&TC, Section 670(d), to perform audits under R&TC, Section 469. 

    1.  Possession of a Bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting from an accredited college or university; or 

    2.  Possession of a Bachelor’s degree, with a specialization in accounting defined as a minimum of 18 units
         in accounting courses that included 6 units of basic/introductory accounting and 6 units of intermediate
         accounting, together with 3 units of auditing and/or 3 units of federal/state tax and/or 3 units of cost accounting
         and/or 3 units of advanced accounting. (The unit requirements herein are expressed as semester units.
         Equivalent quarter units are acceptable. Courses in business law, economics or related areas do not satisfy
         the requirements of R&TC, Section 670[d]), or 

    3.  Possession of a license to practice as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California.

II. Possession, or Qualification for Possession, of a California Appraiser’s Certificate 

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

    2.  Be eligible for issuance of a temporary appraiser’s certificate by the State Board of Equalization upon hire. A
         Bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting or a Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in accounting meets
         the educational requirement under R&TC Section 670 & 673 for issuance of a temporary appraiser’s
         certificate.

Special Requirements:

1.  Continued employment in this classification beyond the twelve months and advancement to Auditor-Appraiser II,
      is contingent upon the appointee passing the certification examination and obtaining a permanent appraiser’s
      certificate as hereinabove described. Failure to obtain the permanent certificate within one year will be cause for
      termination of employment.

2.  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 (a) the California State Board of Equalization’s acceptance of the appointee’s
     qualifications and the Board’s issuance of a temporary appraiser’s certificate, and (b) upon the Board’s
     acceptance of the individual’s qualifications to perform audits under R&TC, Section 469.

3.  In addition to qualifying for a temporary appraiser’s certificate issued by the California State Board of
     Equalization at the time of appointment, appointees must pass an appraiser’s certification examination
     administered by the California State Board of Equalization within twelve months of appointment to this
     classification. 

License:

Incumbents must possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license. Incumbents are required to furnish their own automobile to use on the job.

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

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

· General accounting and auditing principles and procedures.

Ability to:

· Establish and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with others.
· Assemble, analyze and draw logical conclusions, including the ability to do so with respect to
  data of the sort used in appraisal of business personal property and fixtures.
· Identify, assess, evaluate and solve problems.
· Make appropriate decisions and judgments.
· Prepare clear, concise audit reports, letters and other written communications.
· Organize and plan time for workload.
· 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 business personal property and trade fixtures for ad valorem tax purposes.
· Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
· Follow written and oral instructions.
· Work effectively with the public and co-workers.
· Work independently.

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF the following steps: 1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements.  Only those who attach acceptable proof will move forward to the written examination.  2)  A written examination which will be weighted as 50% of the candidates' final examination score; candidates must pass the written examination in order to be invited to the oral interviews.   3)  An oral interview which will be weighted as 50% 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.

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:	5:00 p.m., Friday, August 22, 2014
Review of Minimum Qualifications:	Monday, September 8, 2014
Written Exam:	Friday, September 26, 2014
Panel Interviews:	Week of October 13, 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

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
• 1^st 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.

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 II
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
510-272-6434

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer