Appraiser I

• Interpret legal descriptions, market data, blueprints, and maps
• Use and apply market, cost, and income approaches to develop total property values
• Conduct market value appraisals of residential, rural, and commercial properties

The ideal candidate for this position thrives in a team environment and will possess many of the following:

• The ability to research, plan, organize, and make timely decisions to meet project deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively interact with internal and external customers
• A detail-oriented, analytical mindset with strong communication skills
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office software 
• Knowledge of property appraisal principles as well as California property tax laws and rules
• Experience as an appraiser in an Assessor’s Office
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are desired, but not required

Please note: The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is responsible for the certification of state and county assessors' personnel performing appraisals for property tax purposes. Statutes require the BOE to certify Appraisers before they perform these duties. The temporary certification includes an initial evaluation of the candidate's education and experience. Please visit https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/castraining.htm for the certification requirements.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Career Advancement - With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Appraiser II (Starting salary up to $49.49/hr)
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

Experience and Education: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include graduation from an accredited four year college or university with major work in business administration, public administration, economics, political science, mathematics, agriculture, engineering, or related fields.

Up to four years of relevant experience can be substituted for the four year college requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Relevant experience is defined to mean employment experience within the last ten years in accounting, appraising, building cost estimating, or engineering, or, for real estate licensee licensed by the California Department of Real Estate, engaged in buying, selling, leasing, or managing real estate, or, successful completion of an Appraiser's Aide or Trainee program in a California Assessor's Office, or an employee, other than an appraiser or an appraiser aide, of an assessor’s office or of the property tax department of the State Board of Equalization, except that only 2/3 of such employment time shall be deemed qualifying employment experience.

Special Requirement: Within one year of employment, and as a condition of probation, employees in this classification shall obtain an Appraiser's Certificate from the State of California through the State Board of Equalization.

A temporary certificate or an Appraiser's Certificate is required by the State of California through the State Board of Equalization in order to perform value judgments for tax purposes. Temporary certificates are issued by the State Board of Equalization to candidates meeting the minimum requirements and receiving a job offer by the County.

License: Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Working knowledge of: business mathematics; modern office methods and procedures; database, spreadsheet and word processing applications; general concepts of property appraisal.

Some knowledge of: basic principles of land economics, general concepts of property appraisal; California property tax laws and rules; sources of information concerning building costs;

Ability to: read, interpret and apply the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures that relate to the Assessor's Office; assemble and analyze data, prepare written reports, maintain records, and make mathematical computations; speak and write effectively, and establish and maintain cooperative relations with the public and fellow employees; obtain an Appraiser's Certificate within one year from the date of employment.

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.


The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT
HR Technician: KK

Salary : $74,364 - $90,372