Property Appraiser I

This job posting expires at 11:59PM on April 29, 2026. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on April 29, 2026.

Job Title: Property Appraiser I

Department: Tax Assessment

External Hiring Range: $24.09 - $28.55

Compensation Grade: 2006

Posted Internally and Externally

Buncombe County offers in-office, hybrid, and remote positions. Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must work at a location within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility.

Tax Assessment Department is comprised of 35 employees who are responsible for identifying, listing, and appraising all real and personal property within Buncombe County in accordance with North Carolina General Statues. The department strives to ensure fair and equitable property assessment that forms the basis for local taxation, helping to fund vital public services such as schools, emergency services, parks and much more.

The primary goal of the Personal Property Division is to list and assess all personal property such as vehicles, manufactured homes, watercraft, aircraft, and various types of trailers in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes to ensure fair and equitable valuation for all property owners. The ideal candidate for this role would be detailed oriented, exceptional customer service skills as well as strong verbal and written communication. The typical work schedule is Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. All team members are required to be certified as a Personal Property Appraiser I by the North Carolina Department of Revenue within one year of employment. This position will start in person. Over time, a hybrid schedule will be allowed depending on how quickly the employee becomes familiar with the role and demonstrates reliability. The employees must relocate or reside within a 2-hour drive from 185 College Street, Asheville NC 28801 within 6 months of hire. This position is expected to be filled within six (6) weeks after the job posting closes.

Purpose of the Position:

The purpose of this position is to manage the generation, mailing, processing, approval, and denial of all property tax exemption and deferment applications in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes. This includes handling applications for Present Use Value tax deferments, as well as exemptions for the elderly, disabled individuals, disabled veterans, and properties used for charitable, religious, educational, historical, and hospital purposes, among others.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Associates degree in related field and a minimum of one (1) year related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Training and Experience: Ability to obtain a passing score on two required courses from the N. C. Department of Revenue for Appraiser Certification within 1 year of hire.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: NC Department of Revenue certification as a Real Property Appraiser within 1 year of employment. Valid NC Driver's License

Essential Functions of the Position:

• Collect data for Exemptions, request information from property owners, and process new applications and /or re-qualifications for Exempt and Deferred Properties.to list and appraise real property for taxation in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes.

• Perform parcel site visits to verify residential real property improvements.

• Perform street imagery drives throughout the county with specialized imagery equipment.

• Maintain accurate records in accordance with NC property tax laws, policies, and procedures.

• Research ownership, deceased owners, collect data and perform more specialized appraisals related to determining the taxable value of properties.

• Input property data into the CAMA system (computer aided mass appraisal) and NCPTS Tax Billing System.

• Handle citizen appeals on motor vehicles, real, personal, and business personal property including formal appeals to the Board of Equalization and Review.

• Sketch blueprints of structures determine the square footage, type of construction, grade of materials, quality of workmanship and other related data needed to arrive at the taxable market value.

• Prepare analysis reports related to appraisal data.

• Handle citizen appeals on real property including formal appeals to the Board of Equalization and Review.

• Read and decipher ownership on real property deeds.

• Respond to telephone/e-mail inquiries for real/personal/business listing, motor vehicle and tax office in general.

• Performs field inspections to determine acres in production, forestry harvests, income verification, soil type analysis, grid soil types, approval or denial of new applications and re-qualifications, removal of properties that are out of compliance, works with Attorney’s requests daily for deferred bill creation.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques used in property appraisal work as required.

• General knowledge of modern office practices and of forms and machines used in the preparation of tax office records. Microsoft office applications and Document Management Software.

• General knowledge of North Carolina Machinery Act and county tax policies concerning listing, assessment, billing, appraising, and appeal processes.

• General knowledge of Deeds and property transfers.

• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the general public in explaining tax laws and policies.

• Ability to handle multiply task and work within deadlines.

• Ability to work with taxpayer records with utmost confidentiality as governed by the NC General Statutes and Public Records Law as well as established tax department confidentiality policy.

• Considerable knowledge of the geographical layout of the County.

• Considerable knowledge of the methods and procedures of the County Assessor’s Office.

• Considerable knowledge of the three approaches to Market value (Cost, Income, and Market) of real property.

• Ability to use maps and mapping software as needed.

• Ability to prepare and scan records utilizing the County document management software.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.