Real Estate Appraiser

Appraisal Technician

Under general supervision, performs technical work in appraising land, residential buildings, commercial and industrial buildings, and building improvements for tax assessment purposes. Work involves contacting property owners; sketching layouts of structures; creating maps; and determining the size, type of construction, grade of materials, quality of workmanship and other related appraisal data needed to arrive at the taxable value; and updating cadastral tax maps. Employee is responsible for computing and pricing lot sizes, construction areas, subdivisions and land splits, and defending appraisals before informal review boards. Reports to the County Assessor.

Appraises residential dwellings, farm, and more complex commercial and industrial properties, and building improvements; determines exterior dimensions of buildings, including the foundation, exterior walls, type of roofing, number of rooms, basement area, interior finish, type of heating and air conditioning, and type of fireplace; determines functional and physical depreciation of the structure; and determines the grade of the structure according to a predetermined schedule of values. Studies building plans, information pertaining to sales, and specifications to obtain data regarding size, type of construction and other factors which affect property value. Appraises subdivision and tracts of land; re-appraises land affected by rezoning or other factors expected to affect value. Confers with property owners and general public to explain appraisal methods and to defend value determinations; appears before review boards to explain appealed property appraisals, as necessary. Maintains knowledge of market trends, costs and other factors affecting values of real property. Defends tax appraisals before the review board, preparing and presenting appraisal data and supporting documentation. Updates tax map cadastrals; maintains land maps and records; utilizes deed descriptions and other records to divide or combine parcels and to delineate new property lines; amends maps to reflect changes in city limits or fire districts, additions of subdivisions, etc.; draws and inks portions of maps to scale and includes identifying information; computes acreage of each completed parcel, calculates acreage for tracts of land partially within tax districts, and updates real property records accordingly. Utilizes computerized data entry equipment and various mapping, indexing and custom designed programs to enter, update, store and/or retrieve information to create and maintain cartographic information for the County, including maps of geographical areas showing constructed and natural features, political boundaries and other features utilized by County departments and the general public. Provides appraisal assistance to County residents. Reviews deeds and record transfer information for preparation of tax billing. Performs routine clerical tasks such as filing, answering the telephone and taking messages. Assists fellow employees with various tasks. Performs other related work as required.

Graduation from high school supplemented by vocational or professional training in drafting and appraisal work; and 1 to 2 years of experience in real property appraisal; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Certification as a real property tax appraiser by the Ad Valorem Tax Division of the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license.