Appraisal Technician - I

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees, including:

• Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year, 2 of which are floating holidays*
• Vacation leave: 10 days/year with ability to accrue 25 days/year
• Sick leave: 12 days/year*
• Cafeteria plan: 6% of employee’s salary will be contributed towards employee to use towards 401(k), dependent care, medical co-insurance, or cash
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available for employees and dependents
• $50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to employee
• CalPERS retirement plans
• Retiree medical insurance
• Deferred compensation
• Education allowance: up to $1,200 per year
• Bilingual incentive: incumbents may be eligible for bilingual incentive pay depending upon operational needs and certification of proficiency.

*Amounts will be prorated for part-time employees and employees hired after the first of the year.

The information above represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire about the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department. For a detailed listing of benefits, please click here to view General benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To provide para-professional and specialized technical duties related to property appraisal and the preparation of cost estimates within the Assessor's Office; to collect and review a wide variety of data needed to appraise property; and to assist Appraisers with field investigations. 

This is the entry level class in the Appraisal Technician series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine and less complex tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgement on matters allocated to the journey level. Employees work under general supervision while expanding their experience and learning more complex job tasks. 

Receives immediate supervision from assigned management, professional or supervisory staff.

• Estimate taxable value of business property, boats or aircraft, using available publications and data based on guidelines identified by appraisal staff.
• Interpret, apply, and explain policies and procedures related to area of assignment; respond to individuals requesting services related to area of assignment.
• Verify the accuracy of assessment data entered into computerized files; compare and proof information for completeness, accuracy and conformance to standards; research and correct errors and omission.
• Gather data to compile cost estimates on new buildings, alterations and additions.
• Calculate square footage from information gathered on-site; apply appropriate cost and class factors to accumulated information and drawings in order to arrive at total building cost estimates.
• Collect and review data from a variety of sources to update information on land and/or improvements to be used for taxation purposes. 
• Review sales and economic factors within assigned neighborhood codes for assessment purposes.
• Estimate property value for taxation purposes in compliance with the Revenue and Taxation Code.
• Investigate property owner complaints on assessments; recommending changes in property valuation orally and in writing for the resolution of inquiries; prepare various records and reports related to appraisal of all classes of real property.
• Perform discovery of vessels and aircraft; process aircraft and vessel statements for annual tax roll. 
• Prepare correspondence and supporting documentation relating to area of assignment; maintain accurate records and files of program activities.
• Respond to public inquires, both on the telephone and in person, and refer to appropriate staff members for more complex information as appropriate; exhibit familiarity with functions of the County.
• Collect information from a variety of documents pertinent to assigned functional area of responsibility; compile data for reports; prepare routine reports as required.
• Maintain and monitor records and files; follow up on due dates; perform other monitoring functions to ensure timely completion of work.
• Conduct visits to construction sites to obtain information for appraisal purposes.
• Respond to inquiries from the general public regarding property assessment matters; and performing other related duties as required.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public, using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: No experience required. One (1) year of responsible clerical experience is desirable.

Training: Equivalent to completion of an associate's degree with major course work in economics, business administration, construction or a closely related field.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

NOTE:  Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department.

NOTE:  Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Knowledge of: 

• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Filing and record keeping systems
• Basic mathematical calculations.
• Personal computer and office equipment necessary for successful job performance.
• Business letter and report writing.

Ability to:  

• Intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and solve problems necessary to make calculations of dimensions and estimate costs; sit at desk for long periods of time; and stand at the counter to answer questions of the public.
• Intermittently, walk, stand, kneel, climb and bend in the field; twist and reach office equipment;  perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; intermittently write or use a keyboard to communicate and occasionally lift light weight.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Learn and apply the principles and requirements set forth in the Revenue and Taxation Code pertaining to establishing the cost of construction, and the replacement cost of business property, boats and airplanes.
• Learn and apply the building classification system and other data contained in the various manuals and regulations of the State Board of Equalization.
• Learn to read construction or architectural drawings.
• Learn to measure and calculate dimensions; assemble and analyze data.
• Interpret, explain, and apply complex laws, rules and regulations, operating policies, rules, and procedures, of assigned function.
• Establish and maintain basic financial records; perform mathematical calculations.
• Compile and maintain extensive records and files.
• Operate a personal computer in an on-line processing environment, utilize software application programs commonly used in the Assessor’s department, analyze, and interpret the information.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline:

Week of 3/27/23 Minimum Qualifications Screening

Week of 3/27/23 Training and Experience Rating

Week of 4/3/23 Eligible List Established

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Jennifer Tucker, Administrative Technician, at JMTucker@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4667.