County of Alameda

Under close supervision, in a training capacity, to appraise real property and to do related work as required.  

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

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.

NOTE:    The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent or lower level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1.  As assigned, attends training classes administered by the Office of the Assessor and/or other training sources.
2. Receives instruction in, and performs the more routine duties involved in appraisal of real property, including measuring, plotting and describing construction characteristics of residential buildings; classifying structures according to quality of construction, shape and use; collecting economic data used in an appraisal; correlating the indicators of value obtained through application of the cost approach and market approach in arriving at market value of real properties being appraised.
3. Performs routine office duties related to appraisal functions necessary for completion of the assessment roll.
4. Receives instruction in and uses 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.
5. Explains appraisal methods and value determinations to taxpayers.  As needed, answers general questions from the public and other governmental agencies pertaining to property assessment and related issues.

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 (4) years of full-time (or equivalent part-time hours) “relevant experience,” as hereinbelow described; OR
3. Any combination of the equivalent of four (4) 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.

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.

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.

JE:dg  Revised: 6/10/76

RP:kb  Revised: 10/77

JE:rtl  Revised: 7/79

JE:lm-h  Revised: 9/13/82

JO:jc  Revised: 11/98; 4/1/99; 4/5/99; 4/7/99

Final Revision 6/18/99

Old doc:  2610h

New doc:  2610.doc

ys/2/01

CSC Date:  7/7/99

MH:po  Revised 11/28/06

CSC Date:  7/18/2007

AS:cs  Revised 10/15/13

CSC Date:  11/13/13

RE:sa  Revised 07/13/2020

CSC Date: 07/29/2020

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 & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 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.