Assessor

Other Titles

Appraiser, Commercial Appraiser, Field Appraiser, Real Property Appraiser, Residential Appraiser, Tax Assessor

Appraise real and personal property to determine its fair value. May assess taxes in accordance with prescribed schedules. Assessors are responsible for inspecting various properties in person to determine their value. They are typically appointed by the government to appraise properties in order to calculate their taxability. In this role, they inspect commercial and residential properties. They then calculate their value by considering various factors such as location, market demand, and quality of construction. A part of their job is to inform the property owners as well as tax officials about the value estimates.

Inspect new construction and major improvements to existing structures to determine values.

Determine taxability and value of properties, using methods such as field inspection, structural measurement, calculation, sales analysis, market trend studies, and income and expense analysis.

Prepare and maintain current data on each parcel assessed, including maps of boundaries, inventories of land and structures, property characteristics, and any applicable exemptions.

Explain assessed values to property owners and defend appealed assessments at public hearings.

Identify the ownership of each piece of taxable property.

Inspect properties, considering factors such as market value, location, and building or replacement costs to determine appraisal value.

Complete and maintain assessment rolls that show the assessed values and status of all property in a municipality.

Review information about transfers of property to ensure its accuracy, checking basic information on buyers, sellers, and sales prices and making corrections as necessary.

Write and submit appraisal and tax reports for public record.

Explain real and personal property taxes to property owners.

Conduct regular reviews of property within jurisdictions to determine changes in property due to construction or demolition.

Issue notices of assessments and taxes.

Establish uniform and equitable systems for assessing all classes and kinds of property.

Maintain familiarity with aspects of local real estate markets.

Calculate tax bills for properties by multiplying assessed values by jurisdiction tax rates.

Approve applications for property tax exemptions or deductions.

Serve on assessment review boards.

Supervise staff members.

Analyze trends in sales prices, construction costs, and rents, to assess property values or determine the accuracy of assessments.

Assist in the training of new staff.

Provide sales analyses to be used for equalization of school aid.

Hire staff members.

Active Listening→ Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Learning→ Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Social Perceptiveness→ Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Mathematics→ Using mathematics to solve problems.

Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Writing→ Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Negotiation→ Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Persuasion→ Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Service Orientation→ Actively looking for ways to help people.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Appraise property values.

Maintain data in information systems or databases.

Interpret financial information for others.

Examine financial records.

Calculate data to inform organizational operations.

Verify application data to determine program eligibility.

Prepare financial documents.

Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.

Verify accuracy of records.

Advise real estate clients.

Evaluate condition of properties.

Explain financial information to customers.

Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.

Develop business or financial information systems.

Inform individuals or organizations of status or findings.

Analyze market conditions or trends.

Supervise employees.

Train personnel on proper operational procedures.

Train personnel to enhance job skills.

Update professional knowledge.

Analyze business or financial data.

Administer personnel recruitment or hiring activities.

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.

Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Clerical — Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Building and Construction — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Economics and Accounting — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Analytical or scientific software -- Computer assisted mass appraisal software; Mass appraisal records system

Calendar and scheduling software -- Land and permits management software

Database user interface and query software -- Multiple listing service software; Database software; Microsoft Access; Property assessment software

Electronic mail software -- e.g., Microsoft Outlook

Financial analysis software -- Appraiser fee calculator; Comparative lease analysis software;

Graphics or photo imaging software

Information retrieval or search software -- Online title search and property report software

Internet browser software -- e.g., Windows Explorer; Apple Safari; Mozilla Firefox; Google Chrome

Map creation software -- Geomechanical design analysis GDA software; MapDraw

Office suite software -- e.g., Corel WordPerfect Office; Microsoft Office

Presentation software -- e.g., Corel Presentation; Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Quattro Pro; Microsoft Excel

Tax preparation software

Word processing software -- e.g., Corel Wordperfect; Microsoft Word

Desktop computers

Electronic charts or maps or atlases→ Appraisal, mapping, and comparison data reporting systems; Mapping or location-based analysis systems; Electronic maps; Mapping or location-based analysis systems; Real estate mapping and property description systems; Flood Insights; Electronic flood maps

Laser measuring systems→ Handheld distance meters; Laser measuring devices; Ultrasonic distance measurers

Notebook computers→ Laptop computers

Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers→ Personal digital assistants PDA

Conventional→ Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Enterprising→ Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Investigative→ Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.

Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Independence→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Support→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Working Conditions→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.