Assessment Specialist
Assessment Specialist $4,275 - $5,196/Monthly
Apply by 8/07/19
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits including:
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County paid premium contribution to several health plan options
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
Assessment Specialists are responsible for performing complex, technical work requiring review, research, and analysis of legal documents and property appraisal records. Assessment specialists learn to apply rules and regulations related to the appraisal process, legal instruments, and Revenue and Taxations Code sections pertaining to property transfers, tax exemptions, exclusions, and valuation. Specialists take initiative, use independent judgment, and work directly with Appraisers to update data, resolve problems, and explain procedures related to property tax assessments.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, in order to work effectively with staff and the public by phone, in person, and in writing
- The ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment
- Experience analyzing and interpreting legal documents to perform complex evaluations based on property tax laws
- Attention to detail, and a capacity to make accurate mathematical calculations
- Experience working in the office of an assessor, appraiser, surveyor, and/or title company
Minimum Qualifications
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position
Certification: Upon approval by the Board of Supervisors, incumbents in assignments with responsibility for processing change in ownership transactions and exemptions applications are required to obtain the applicable Assessment Analyst certification from the California Board of Equalization, and once obtained, are required to maintain the certification while working in applicable assignments. Incumbents working in the classification as of the date of adoption, are required to obtain the certification within one year of the County's adoption, and employees newly hired into applicable assignments in this classification are required to obtain certification within the probationary period.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working knowledge of: methods used in the assessment, conveyance, and transfer of property; modern office methods and procedures; legal descriptions of real property and the methods and documents used to convey and transfer title or real property; methods and techniques used in researching, organizing, and evaluating data including laws as defined in revenue & taxation code, civil, family, corporate, and probate codes; rules and procedures relating to real property ownership and exemptions; including property law, real estate terminology, and the Revenue and Taxation Code.
Ability to: read and comprehend various types of legal documents relating to real property including Property Tax Rules, Revenue and Taxation Code, annotations, Article XIII A of the California Constitution as dictated by the California State Board of Equalization; read and understand legal descriptions and maps; understand changes of ownership, potential reappraisal of real property, and eligibility of various property tax exemptions and exclusions; perform complex analytical evaluation of legal documents; research title for property ownership and re-appraisability; make independent decisions on interpretations of law; utilize calculators, computer systems and programs, and other office equipment; accurately prepare and maintain department forms and records; utilize electronic information systems and analyze and interpret such information; post and make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately; use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; interact effectively with persons of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds; organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines; communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and successfully communicate and explain complex and technical information to the public; make basic mathematical calculations at a level for successful job performance.
EOE