Real Property Appraiser

General Statement of Duties

Performs responsible technical and professional work in the appraisal and revaluation of real estate for tax purposes.

Distinguishing Features of the Class 

An employee in this class is responsible for performing a variety of real estate appraisal work involving appraisal of new construction, parcel splits and sales at market value. Work involves researching and gathering information to render an accurate judgment. Work involves heavy public contact and may involve controversial and appealable decisions. Independent initiative and judgment are required in application of the schedule of values from the last County property revaluation, classifications and grades. Tact and diplomacy are required in working with property owners and their representatives. Duties subject the employee to inside and outside environments and hazards associated with site measuring tasks on construction projects. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated through conferences, review of work, records and documents and feedback from citizens.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Researches, and gathers information to render an accurate judgment in valuing residential, commercial and industrial real estate; obtains building permits to identify land and buildings which need to be appraised; obtains current map of property; goes to location and reviews and obtains measurements for evaluation purposes; drafts hand-drawings, makes calculations, and photographs property.
• Processes straights and splits of real estate and inputs data into the computer.
• Reviews property cards for accuracy.
• Enters parcel information from the appraisal process; determines appropriate values.
• Reviews applications for present use program; performs on-site reviews and verifies requirements for present use classification; calculates deferred taxes.
• Serves as liaison between the tax office and the taxpayer; communicates with property owners during the appraisal processes; answers questions from taxpayers, attorneys, appraisers, real estate agents and other regarding questions about tax value, sales, location etc.
• Appear and assist tax administrator as necessary for any appeals or appearances before the Board of Equalization and Review or NC Property Tax Commission.
• Establishes property values for residential, commercial and industrial properties in accordance with the County’s schedule of values; generates values on properties for the County including commercial, industrial, and residential properties.
• Assists mapping with correcting locations of parcels, and E-911 with addresses, names of roads, and egress to property.
• Communicates with property owners during and after the appraisal processes; answers questions from citizens about appraisal issues in the field and in the office; schedules site visits and reviews as requested.
• Audits land use files to maintain integrity of the appraisal database.
• Keeps current with property values, real estate information, and other data relating to the duties; assists fee appraisers find comparable values in the county.
• Provides information to support staff for entry of information into the computer.
• Reviews entries from support staff to ensure accuracy in data entry.
• Compiles data for Chief Appraiser; conducts sampling and statistical projections of property values and for other special projects.

Additional Job Duties

• Assists collections with review of parcels for correctness before being turned over for foreclosure.
• Assists with determining if listed property is real or personal.
• Assists with Present Use Value parcels – visiting for compliance.
• Performs related duties as required. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the NC Machinery Act and other state statutes governing the administration of tax on real estate and related property.
• Considerable knowledge of the standard Valuations Guides and other professional resources, procedures and standards for appraising residential, commercial, and industrial properties, and the transfer of property.
• Considerable knowledge of current construction costs and materials, current property values, and future real estate and property issues.
• General knowledge of the geographic layout of the County.
• General knowledge of the tax listing and assessing procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of the application of information technology to assigned duties.
• Skills in operation of computers.
• Ability to read and interpret descriptions of land and tax maps; and to sketch construction projects. 
• Ability to make computations accurately based on fair market value and the available database. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with realtors, attorneys, property owners, contractors, and the general public.
• Ability to understand and use various computer applications in the appraisal process and in the database applications. 
• Ability to coordinate and work effectively in appeals and controversial tax evaluation situations. 
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to handle the public courteously and tactfully.
• Ability to interpret and explain policies, processes, and procedures.
• Ability to operate a County vehicle to inspect sites.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to perform the basic life operational skills of climbing, balancing, stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform light work, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently; and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, to perform accounting tasks, to operate a computer terminal, to visually inspect building sites, and to use measurement devices.

Desirable Education and Experience

Graduation from a two-year community college with specialized courses in business, real estate or appraisal and considerable experience in real estate, tax evaluation, or business administration dealing with real property; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Special Requirements

Certification by the State of North Carolina as a County Real Property Appraiser.

Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.