Senior Appraiser - Commercial Division

Under the general supervision of the County Assessor or designee, perform a variety of complex technical appraisal tasks and clerical duties to establish values for assessment and taxation requiring considerable responsibility and independent judgment.
 
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Provide field training to subordinate staff Appraisers.

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Identify properties through the use of legal descriptions, surveys, plat maps, recorded deeds, and geographic aerial maps; plot market sales on various mapping formats.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, county officials, other County employees, supervisors, other governmental agencies, contractors, and the general public.
Perform mass appraisal tasks in establishing real property values for commercial and industrial complexes, buildings, and land.
Perform onsite inspections of properties, Photograph properties, calculates square footage, records and enters all data necessary for appraisal.
Employ mass appraisal techniques in the statistical analysis of the level of assessment and the quality of assessment in individual market areas or occupation codes; analyze of sales data for qualification and consideration in market studies; identify trends and variations in the real estate market through sales analysis; applying sales data to the assessment process; review agricultural land sales from neighboring counties and determines rural land uses from aerial images.
Employ mass appraisal techniques in the valuation of improved and unimproved parcels; calculates land values through market sales, land residual method, or allocation; monitor market area developments and establish the market value, through discounting methods, of platted land awaiting development.
Conduct on-site inspections of commercial properties, including review of building construction plans, measurements, and classification by type; collect income, expenses, and vacancy data essential to the income approach to value.
Interact with property owners, appraisers, real estate brokers and agents, property managers, and owner representatives by telephone, e-mail, letter, or personal contact in the assessor's office or at the property owner's location to provide information, answer questions, or perform inspections.
Perform market studies of commercial/industrial land and verify all sales transactions; build and statistically test base land valuation models and derive area adjustments from market analysis; arrays data for valuation determination and public information on the land valuation process.
Perform annual cost verification studies for comparison with national construct cost manuals for necessary adjustments to the local market and perform annual depreciation studies through the analysis of local market sales transactions.   
Determine the contribution of land value and building value to the total value; determine the value of raw land by the acre, parcel, or lot; monitor the development phases and progress in platted subdivisions.
Identify, collect, and record real property characteristics necessary for the valuation process, including but not limited to, construction quality, physical condition, floor plan, room count, age of construction, property location, total living area, and other pertinent characteristics.
Identify trends and variations in the real estate market through analysis.
Perform market modeling techniques to the valuation of land and the improvements to land.
Provide training, mentor subordinate Appraisers, and assist in developing training procedures.
Review and analyze new trainee learning styles and provide instruction in various ways to best facilitate trainee learning.
Provide assistance and guidance to other staff employees on proper procedures and methodologies.
Maintain a current knowledge of applicable regulations, laws and departmental processes and procedures.
Interact with property owners, appraisers, agents, property managers, and owner representatives by telephone, e-mail, letter, or personal contact to provide information, answer questions, or perform inspections.
Perform on-site inspections of building permits, homes, mobile homes, and recreational dwellings; review building plans, gather digital photo collection, produce sketches, and calculate square footages to determine residential, commercial, and agricultural assessed value.
Accurately compile data and information and update the characteristics in the property record file.
Use all forms of assessment data to prepare visual presentations of property locations, standard appraisal procedures, the valuation process, and data analysis of sales and costs.
Review and analyze sales transaction in current area and in neighboring counties for making determinations in the assessment process.
Review building permits for new construction, remodels, repairs, and new structures; perform on- site inspections of permits and update the characteristics on the property record file.
Monitor, update, and maintain property record data.
Effectively communicate findings and records with the public.
Create narrative form of sales analysis for inquiry and historical documentation
Prepare documentation and defend valuations before the County Board of Equalization.
Prepare documents, analyze information, and defend findings for appeals to the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission.
Defend assessed values and assessment actions before the Sarpy County board of Equalization and the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission (TERC) through the preparation and presentation of facts pertinent to market value and assessment equalization.
Remain current on Nebraska Statutes, Regulations, and Directives pertaining to the assessment of real and personal property for the purpose of property taxation; familiar with the requirements of appeal hearings with regard to evidence and testimony before the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission;
Promote and project a positive image of the County Assessor's Office and Sarpy County.
Report to assigned worksite with regular, predictable, and consistent attendance. 

Peripheral Duties
Participate in professional development and education opportunities provided by the Assessor's Office including, but not limited to, International Association of Assessing Officers (I.A.A.O.) classes, state course offerings or workshops, and license or certification attainment and maintenance.
Serve as a member on committees as assigned.
Perform other duties as directed and assigned. 

SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, reference check, criminal background check, and other job-related tests may be required.
 
DISCLOSURE
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
 MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience 
Associate's Degree* in accounting, finance, economics, construction management or business administration required.
Eight (8) years of bona fide work experience* performing the duties in the valuation of commercial and industrial properties utilizing various methods required.
One (1) year of bona fide work experience supervising and/or training paid subordinates required.
Nebraska Assessor's Certification or ability to obtain certification within one year.
*Approved education or work experience beyond that required which provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered and substituted for the stated education or experience.
Special Requirements
Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Drivers' License, as well as meet eligibility requirements of "acceptable driver standards" as defined by the County.

 
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Extensive working knowledge of and ability to perform real property mass and/or fee appraisal principles and practices
Considerable working knowledge of and ability to use computers, department-specific software and Microsoft Office software
Considerable working knowledge of construction techniques, methods, and terminology
Skill in effective organization and processing of detailed information/data
Effective interpersonal communication and customer service skills
Skill in and ability to perform duties with efficiency, thoroughness, accuracy, and attention to detail while managing frequent interruptions
Ability to understand and follow instructions
Ability to read and understand directions, manuals, and standard operating procedures
Ability to participate in classroom instruction with comprehensive final examination
Ability to accurately compute measurements (e.g. convert units of measure such as acres and square feet, and calculate square footage of properties and land)
Ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor
Ability to work under pressure and/or frequent interruptions
Ability to handle stressful situations
Ability to prioritize work and carry out assigned projects to completion
Ability to communicate effectively, in English, both verbally and in writing
Ability to maintain and protect confidential and sensitive information
Ability to effectively meet and deal with the public
Ability to operate standard equipment and tools including, but not limited to, tape measure, writing utensils, computer, Personal Electronic Devices (e.g. laptop, Notebook computer), department-specific software and systems (e.g. Computer Automated Mass Appraisal System -CAMA), multi-line phone, typewriter, digital camera, printer, calculator, scanner, copier, and faxPHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing this job, the employee is frequently required to sit/remain stationary, talk/hear, and operate/manipulate equipment (e.g. using hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls).  The employee is occasionally required to stand/be erect, walk/move about, and position self (e.g. bend, reach, kneel, and climb).  The employee must occasionally lift, maneuver, and/or move up to 30 pounds.
Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing, and smell.  Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges include close, distance, and color vision as well as depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.  Communication abilities include the ability to talk (i.e. verbal exchange / exchange information) and hear (i.e. exchange information accurately) within normal ranges.
Work is performed indoors in an office setting as well as outdoors in varying weather conditions. Outdoor work involves exposure to temperature extremes, high humidity, adverse weather conditions, dirt, dust, loud noise, and may involve exposure to mechanical/electrical hazards, heights, and offensive fumes. Work hours are predominantly normal daylight hours, but may involve nights and weekends. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate to loud in the field.