2D22
PAY RANGE: EP26
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is managerial and administrative real property assessment and appraisal work, directing a division of a city‑wide real property assessment program for commercial/ industrial properties, residential properties, or evaluation support through subordinate supervisors. An employee in this class ensures that all assessments and valuations of real property in their respective divisions are done in accordance with law, ordinance, and assessment industry standards. The employees in this class are responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of a methodology for the fair, uniform, and equitable valuation of properties, setting standards for property assessments based on law, ordinance and assessment industry practices, and defending assessed values in appeal hearings and court. Work is performed under the direction of the Chief Assessment Officer.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
1. Positions must perform the work in the City's Office of Property Assessment.
2. The positions must supervise one of three Real Property Assessment divisions through subordinate Real Property Evaluation Supervisors.
3. Only three positions may be allocated to the class.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Directs, through subordinate supervisors, a staff of professional evaluators and support staff engaged in assessing moderate value and high value complex properties within assigned geographical districts or specified functional areas; plans, delegates and reviews the work of subordinate supervisors; meets with subordinate staff to develop problem solving strategy and long‑range and short‑term goals; provides technical guidance to subordinate supervisors on difficult assessment problems.
Determines new and revised policies and procedures and performance objectives; reports to the Chief Assessment Officer on progress of assigned division; represents department at meetings.
Assists in the development and enforcement of procedures in the Office of Property Assessment for computing and maintaining consistency in the appraisal of properties within different geographic districts or specialties; assists in the development and implementation of an annual reassessment through a professionally developed and maintained computerized assessment system; works to ensure that annual revisions and equalization are done in accordance with law, ordinance and assessment industry standards; assists in the establishment of standards for the consistent treatment of property owners in the city.
Develops, modifies and applies statistical models; provides guidance on the use of statistical analysis in software packages in order to promote greater accuracy and improve reliability and uniformity of assessed values; performs quality control of lower level evaluator staff’s work; makes recommendations to the staff for corrections and changes to work; creates reports to document valuation adjustments, abatements, exemptions and changes to the classification of properties; guides and directs department or division initiatives and special projects.
Identifies the training needs of staff; recommends the attendance of in‑service training classes; ensures procedures used in the assessment program are adhered to by subordinates; coordinates activities of assessment staff with data processing units to ensure the proper utilization of automated appraisal techniques: monitors the maintenance of assessment records, deeds, permits and report logs; prepares special reports on aspects of the departments operations, programs and policies.
Confers with property owners, attorneys, certified public accountants and appraisers to explain the process used to assess and arrive at market values; attends tax appeal hearings held by the Board of Property Assessment Appeals; testifies at tax appeal hearings on the basis and factors used in determining the amount of assessment; participates in the review of reports prepared by evaluation staff to answer appeals prior to review by the Board of Property Assessment Appeals.
Supervises the review and estimation of market values; conducts ratio studies; monitors mass assessment and appraisal process for complex high value properties; participates in the review of financial disclosure statements and office reports of appraisal and assessment activities.
Participates in the allocation of funds within the real property budget; determines the appropriation of expenditures; conducts and delegates the research of items included in the departmental budget; attends Finance and City Council meetings; contributes to the annual summary of division activities.
Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· the methods and techniques of determining fair market value of real property
· Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
· the laws, ordinances and assessment industry standards relating to real property appraisal and assessment
· current real property values and trends in value
· sales comparison, cost, and income capitalization approaches to value
· building construction methods and analyzing costs
· the assessment record maintenance procedures and standards
· descriptive and inferential statistics including sampling techniques
· supervisory principles and procedures
· real estate practices and terminology
· sources of real property information
· the Office of Property Assessment guidelines and policies regarding real property assessment and valuation
· research techniques
SKILL IN:
· making real property related mathematical computations and statistics applying the sales comparison, cost, and income capitalization approaches to value
· report writing
· the use of personal computers and standard computer software, such as MS Word and Excel
· the use of assessment related computer software
· gathering and analyzing information
· obtaining appraisal related information from recorded documents, plot plans, building plans, deeds, maps and exterior photography
· communicating effectively, both orally and in writing
ABILITY TO:
· direct the activities of a division of a real property assessment and appraisal program
· read and interpret complex building plans and blueprints
· interpret leases, deeds, income and expense statements, and other real estate information
· effectively resolve property owner conflicts using tact and diplomacy
· plan, assign and review the work of a real property assessment and appraisal staff
· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, other City employees, outside agencies, property owners, taxpayers and their representatives
· review, correct, and analyze data for estimating market values and improving equity
· apply, develop and revise statistical models
· write complex, unique or specialized valuation, appeal and exemption reports
· interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, standards or procedures to real property specific issues
· maintain and follow ethical and professional standards
· use advanced research techniques and integrate research into reports and databases
· solve problems and make decisions
· use new computer software, as necessary
· prepare reports on appraisal and assessment techniques used in other jurisdictions
· investigate the organizational impact of new legislation
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 5/10.)
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program with major coursework in Public Administration, Business Administration, Real Estate or a related business field.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Four years of experience appraising and assessing real property, including residential, commercial and industrial properties within an assigned district.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Two years of experience supervising a unit of real property evaluators engaged in appraisal and assessment for a large municipality.
OR
Any equivalent combination of experience and training determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources, which includes a bachelor’s degree and the specific experience described above.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Possession of certification as a Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Real Property Assessment Manager.
Note: Certification will not be required for employees who have permanent status in this class on June 1, 2010.
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Real Property Assessment Manager, if required by assignment.
PREFERRED CERTIFICATION:
· Certification by any member group of the appraisal foundation including course work and examinations.
· Any acceptable authorization and a Pennsylvania State Real Estate Brokers License.
Class Established: CSC ‑ 9/91; Ad. Board ‑ 10/91
Latest Spec Revision: CSC - 4/10; Ad. Board - 5/10
PF/BW