Staff Appraiser

Position Description

About Pennington County:We provide quality public services, as determined by law and citizen needs, through innovative leadership and the teamwork of its people, officials, and employees.

Our Employee Value Proposition - Comprehensive Benefits Package:

South Dakota Retirement Plan and Supplemental Retirement Plan, eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave, emergency leave, company paid life insurance, flexible scheduling (4 - 10 hour days, remote work options), employee assistance program, and competitive health, dental, and vision insurance.

Position Objective:

The role of the Staff Appraiser within the Department of Equalization is to gather and analyze property data and assist with the assessment of real property for property tax purposes.

Position Functions

Essential Functions:

• Identify properties to be appraised on maps by using legal descriptions and parcel identification numbering systems.

• Review building permits and computerized property appraisal records.

• Inspect real property for the purpose of gathering property data.

• Ability to make accurate and consistent decisions on quality of construction, condition, and other factors that influence property value.

• Record property data in the office CAMA system for the purpose of real property assessment.

• Research property sales to verify data and determine if sales are open-market and representative of market value.

• Analyze sale information in spreadsheets, determine factors influencing property value, compile and calibrate valuation models, and make decisions on property value.

• Organize market data and write neighborhood market reports to explain market influences and changes in the market and valuation models.

• Answer inquiries from the public in the office or at a property to explain appraisals, assessments, and property taxes.

• Ability to deal with confrontation

• Explain and defend property assessments using evidence from the market during the appeal process in a public speaking forum.

• Under supervision, prepare written appraisal reports to be used as evidence and testify as a witness in a legal forum.

• Analyze statistical measures of accuracy and equity for neighborhood appraisals.

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the position. Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may be required.

Qualifications

Experience and/or Education Required:

• High school diploma required, College degree preferred

• Experience using Microsoft Excel, including graphing, Word, and Power Point required

• Mathematical proficiency required.

• Oral and writing communication skills required.

• Ability to gain the South Dakota CAA certification within one year is required. Necessary coursework to achieve certification is provided.

• Tested continuing education required to maintain certification.

• Ability to make decisions regarding qualitative data through observation and review.

• Ability to accurately record and analyze quantitative data.

• Ability to effectively work as a team member as well as independently.

• Ability to publicly defend property values to the Board of Equalization.

Working Environment:

• The work environment is split between inside the office performing typical office duties and outside inspecting properties by walking or driving.

• Overtime hours may be required especially during the appeal process.

• Travel will be required for recertification training.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to frequently sit, walk, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, reach and lift, push or pull and manual dexterity is needed to type, write, use a calculator, answer the telephone, and measure buildings.

• Upper body strength is a requisite to lift/move a maximum of 20 lbs. unassisted; and lift/move a maximum of 50 lbs. with assistance.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

• The ability to talk and hear via the telephone and through face-to-face communication is needed.

• The ability to perform duties of the position in an office and outdoors, occasionally in inclement weather.