Real and Personal Property Appraiser III

Full Job Description

The purpose of this job is to perform valuation and appraisal of Commercial, Industrial and Residential properties in order to maintain an accurate assessment roll.

Defends values placed on the ad valorem assessment roll before the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

Assists in the maintenance of the special acts rolls which include properties that have been granted tax abatements and exemptions as well as specific taxes.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Evaluates new construction through on-site inspections, interviews, measuring, photography and review of construction plans.
• Calculates new property values for commercial, industrial and residential parcels approved for parcel line splits and/or combinations.
• Prepares Valuation Disclosures for submission to the Michigan Tax Tribunal and presenting that Valuation Disclosure in court.
• Appraises commercial, industrial and complex residential properties that have physical changes due to new construction, fire damage or any other thing that would have an impact on property value.
• Creates new sketches or altering the existing sketch using sketching software. Enters data collected from the field into the Equalizer Assessing software.
• Determines the appropriate approach to value for the property being appraised. Analyzes the result and compares it to collected market data to confirm reasonableness of value.
• Evaluates and analyzes commercial, industrial and complex residential appeals submitted at Assessor's Review and if warranted, adjusts the property's assessed value and taxable values. Testifies at the Board of Review as needed.
• Creates and maintains assessments for those properties on the special tax rolls such as the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) Roll, Industrial Facilities Tax Abatement (IFT) Roll, Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) Roll, Downtown Improvement District (DID) special assessment roll, etc.

Determines the taxable status of parcels.

Assists in maintenance of the Special Acts rolls which includes the Industrial Facilities Tax (IFT), Obsolete Properties and Rehabilitation Act (OPRA), the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) and eligible tax reverted property specific tax (TRCTA) and assists in the creation and maintenance of special assessment rolls.

• Reappraises residential neighborhoods on an annual basis to maintain accuracy of property records. Develops more accurate estimates of value, and complies with State Tax Commission mandates.
• Reviews, creates and assigns permit work to proper appraiser.
• Provides training and/or assistance to lower level appraisers.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree

--AND--

• At least four (4) years of experience in appraising residential, commercial, and industrial real property

--OR--

• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Michigan Advanced Assessing Officer (3) certification
• Michigan Certified Personal Property Examiner certification
• Michigan driver’s license

Qualifications

 Knowledge of:

• Legal terminology and court procedures
• Principles and practices of basic bookkeeping
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Current and past building construction techniques, building materials and processes
• Local real estate market
• Assessing software and other internet based resources
• The methods and principles used in property appraisal
• Michigan State Tax Commission Rules and Guidelines for calculating assessed and taxable values

Skill in:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships 
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios
• Verbal and written communication
• Organization and time management 
• Delivering testimony at Michigan Tax Tribunal

Ability to:

• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Read and analyze construction plans
• Take field notes, draw a field sketch and calculate square footage to accurately reflect the building's features
• Analyze sales documents, legal descriptions and surveys
• Provide training and guidance to lower level appraisers

Additional Information

Benefits for this position include

• Medical, Dental, and Vision administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, starting on first day
• 6% Employee & 6% Employer matching 401a
• Employee & Employer contributions to Retiree Health Savings Account
• Eleven Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Paid parking (if applicable)
• Tuition Reimbursement up to master’s degree
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness program
• Voluntary benefits including: term life insurance, flexible spending account, disability insurance, and deferred compensation plan options

Should an applicant need any disability related accommodation or other consideration in the application or selection process, please notify the human resources department upon submittal of application

The City of Grand Rapids does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Please Note:
This position is subject to the provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement and all relevant civil service rules. For additional information, links to union agreement and Civil Service Rules are provided below.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

Civil Service Rules