Residential Appraiser

Job DescriptionJob Description

Performs intermediate skilled technical work appraising all types of residential properties to establish valuation for assessment purposes including gathering field data and all appraisal data necessary to establish accurate and equitable market values within statutory guidelines and standards established by the county assessor, Minnesota statutes and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, and related work as apparent or assigned.  Work is performed under the supervision of the City Assessor/Assistant City Assessor.    

Duties/Responsibilities

 

1. Performs appraisals of new, existing and remodeled residential properties including single family detached, condominiums and townhomes to estimate their market values as required.
2. Responsible for accurate, timely residential property valuation changes; locates, views, measures structures and calculates square footage; grades and rates sites and improved properties.
3. Determines property classifications based on use, including the proper application of special programs; prepares necessary documentation to support mass appraisal valuations; performs appraisal analysis and market valuation interpretation using a computerized mass appraisal system; completes property divisions and combinations.
4. Reviews and verifies residential sales obtaining information from the seller and/or buyer and provides sales analysis for Hennepin County and the State of Minnesota; processes, compiles and updates residential appraisal data and relevant statistics; resolves routine and complex appraisal, assessment, classification and property tax issues as needed, often involving a high degree of sensitivity and conflict resolution.
5. Develops and maintains information within and using numerous software applications including the Property Data 
6. System (PDS), APEX (sketching software), mapping software and Microsoft Office.
7. Organizes responsibilities and workload to meet deadlines related to the annual assessment calendar.
8. Provides information to taxpayers, including explanation of legal requirements of assessments, property assessment methods, policies and procedures; reviews property values with taxpayers and explains the assessment process; promotes positive public relations with citizens and has the ability to handle conflict with tact and diplomacy; provides information and answers concerning the Minnesota property tax system and laws regarding property tax refunds and the property classification system.
9. Prepares supporting documentation for market values and classification of property during the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization; prepares change documentation to be submitted to Hennepin County.
10. Prepares appraisals, represents the city and testifies as an expert witness in Minnesota Tax Court appeals.
11. Assists in preparing statistical studies for year-end summaries and internal review; keeps city assessor informed of significant matters within areas of accountability; stays abreast of changes in Minnesota statutes that relate to the assessing division and maintains knowledge of current appraisal techniques and assessment procedures.
12. Presents a positive image of the City and encourages good communications with the public.
13. Demonstrates a commitment to and belief in the organization's Shared Values. 
14. Performs other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position as apparent or assigned.

 

Qualifications

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with emphasis in real estate, business, finance, or economics.  Related experience in real estate may be substituted for education requirement on a year for year basis.
• Ability to obtain a Certified Minnesota Assessor (CMA) designation, certified by the Minnesota State Board of Assessors within three years of entering the assessing field.
• Ability to obtain the Accredited Minnesota Assessor (AMA) designation certified by the Minnesota State Board of Assessors within four years after becoming licensed as a Certified Minnesota Assessor (CMA).

Desired Job Qualifications:

• Possession of a current Certified Minnesota Assessor (CMA) designation or Accredited Minnesota Assessor (AMA), certified by the Minnesota State Board of Assessors.
• Two years of experience in an assessing office.
• Experience working with current Minnesota statutes affecting assessments and appraisals.
• Working knowledge of practices in the assessment field.
• Working knowledge regarding taxation of real property.
• Practical experience with Computer Aided Mass Appraisal (CAMA).
• Experience reading legal descriptions, blueprints and appraisals.
• Experience in determining residential construction quality.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.

 

Additional Information

Knowledge of:

• Minnesota property tax laws, the assessment process and mass appraisal techniques.
• Departmental procedures, policies and rules.
• Residential construction.
• Real estate tax laws.
• Minnesota state statutes and Minnetonka city ordinances as they apply to the assessment process and current appraisal techniques.
• Appraisal principles and practices in accordance with national Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices (USPAP).
• Computer applications including Microsoft products (Word, Excel, Access and Outlook)

Skilled in:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Use of mobile devices to update property data in the field.

Ability to:

• Read legal descriptions, blue prints and appraisals.
• Interpret and explain city of Minnetonka policies and procedures.
• Work independently with limited supervision, multitask and prioritize work.
• Physically work in the field, including measuring and inspecting the interior and exterior of properties.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Competency

• Works collaboratively with others, promoting employee talents, skills and ideas.
• Reserves judgement; listens for different views and perspectives before drawing conclusions. 
• Works collaboratively with others, promoting employee talents, skills and ideas.
• Fosters effective working relationships and appreciates the differences of fellow co-workers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Physical effort is light for the majority of work, with lifting or carrying limited to 10 pounds intermittently.  
2. Duties, at times, require extended use of a keyboard.
3. Work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires speaking or hearing and use of hands. Requires some standing, lifting and repetitive motions; 
4. Work has standard vision requirements; 
5. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; 
6. Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work has little to no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a quiet location (e.g. private cube).

Company DescriptionLocated only 8 miles west of Minneapolis, Minnetonka is a fully developed community with an economically robust business community.Company DescriptionLocated only 8 miles west of Minneapolis, Minnetonka is a fully developed community with an economically robust business community.

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