City Of Philadelphia Office Of Human Resources

2D16

REAL PROPERTY EVALUATOR 1

General Definition

• This is advanced training level real property appraisal, assessment and analysis work. Employees in this class learn to use a variety of appraisal approaches, methods and techniques used to estimate the fair market value of residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, vacant land, institutional, or exempt properties in accordance with laws, ordinances and assessment industry standards. Work includes learning the proper techniques for research, data collection and compilation, on-site property inspection and statistical analysis. Work assignments expand in complexity and scope as the employee gains experience. The employee works under the supervision of a Real Property Evaluation Supervisor.

Allocating Factors:

• The positions must work in Office of Property Assessment.
• The positions must work at the advanced training level learning a variety of recognized appraisal and assessment approaches used to estimate the fair market value of property in a uniform manner.

Typical Examples Of Work (Illustrative Only)

• Receives training in the proper methods and techniques to conduct annual assessments and valuations used to determine the fair market value of real property including residential properties, apartments, condominiums, multi-family dwellings, low-income housing, office buildings, industrial facilities, commercial properties, retail properties, hotel-motels, institutional properties, government facilities, public utilities, railroads, vacant land, and right-of-ways in accordance with laws, ordinances, departmental policies, and assessment industry standards; receives training in the use of a consistent methodology for the fair, uniform and equitable valuation of properties for taxation purposes across like properties in the city.
• Learns to determine the appropriate valuation methods and techniques based on the property type and usage such as the sales comparison/ market value approach, the income capitalization approach and the cost approach.
• Learns to review and interpret plot plans, building plans, maps and exterior photography to research and collect data on properties; learns to review building, construction, and land use permits from the Department of Licenses and Inspections to determine the need for property reassessment; accompanies a higher level evaluator to on-site property inspections to inspect real property and interview property owners or their representatives, real estate brokers, property managers, and builders to obtain evaluation data and neighborhood spatial determinants; learns to properly document the condition of a property and surrounding area using digital photography and record keeping techniques; compiles data and research for each property being assessed; maintains thorough and organized records of each property account for which they are responsible; assigns or updates building codes, condition codes, square footage, amenities and other features.
• Learns to interpret deeds concerning subdivisions and consolidations for new property lines or learns how to analyze properties and determine eligibility of properties that may be considered exempt from real estate taxes under state statutes and city ordinances; learns to make recommendations regarding the classification of property that has changed function or purpose.
• Learns to use computerized assisted mass appraisal systems; learns to conduct statistical analysis using computer software packages; follows established standards for the consistent treatment of property owners in the city. Accompanies higher-level evaluators to meetings with taxpayers and/or their representatives to discuss property's market value and assessment and the approaches, methods and techniques used in deriving assessments; assists higher-level evaluators in preparing written reports documenting evidence and justification for appealed assessments and exemptions.
• Participates in special projects and departmental initiatives; attends training sessions to learn new appraisal and assessment techniques.
• Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge Of:

• the approaches, methods and techniques of determining fair market value of real property
• the laws, ordinances and assessment industry standards relating to real property assessment
• building construction methods and materials and their costs
• the sales comparison approach to value
• real estate practices and terminology
• the sources of real property information
• assessment record maintenance procedures
• uniform standards of professional appraisal practice (USPAP)
• basic research techniques
• basic statistics
• standard computer software, such as MS Word and Excel

Skill In:

• the use of personal computers

Ability To:

• learn how to apply sales comparison, income capitalization, and cost approaches to property evaluation
• learn how to write evaluation, appeal and exemption reports
• learn how to utilize a computer to review, correct and analyze data and estimate market values
• make real property related mathematical computations
• interpret various real estate information
• obtain appraisal related information from recorded documents, plot plans, building plans, deeds, maps, and exterior photography
• learn to prepare weekly reports on field and office work
• learn to apply statistical models and use computer software packages to perform statistical calculations and create reports that employ the use of assessment related computer software
• learn to use assessment related computer software
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, supervisors, other City employees, outside agencies, property owners and the public
• gather and analyze information
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• learn to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, standards or procedures to real property specific issues
• maintain and follow ethical and professional standards
• learn more advanced research techniques and integrate research into reports and databases
• solve problems and make decisions
• learn new computer software, as necessary

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 9/11.)

OPTION 1

EDUCATION OR CERTIFICATION

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university. OR
• Certification as a Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator or equivalent certification AND

Experience

• One year of experience:
  • appraising real property for a professional appraisal firm, bank, mortgage company, law firm or other comparable organization or
  • assessing real property for a government agency

OPTION 2

EDUCATION

• Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade AND

Experience

• Four years experience:
  • appraising real property for a professional appraisal firm, bank, mortgage company, law firm or other comparable organization or
  • assessing real property or
  • performing specialized clerical and technical real estate support work assisting Real Property Evaluators in the Office of Property Assessment.

OPTION 3

EDUCATION

• Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade AND
• Possession of an Active Real Estate Broker or Salesperson License issued by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs - State Real Estate Commission or equivalent license issued by another state.AND

Experience

• Six years full-time experience as a licensed Real Estate Broker or Salesperson.

OR

• Any equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources

Physical And Medical Requirements

1. 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

1. Possession of certification as a Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator within two years of appointment or within the period mandated by state regulation and during tenure of employment as a Real Property Evaluator 1.
2. As a condition of employment, employees appointed to this class after June 1, 2010 will have two years from the date of appointment to obtain the certification.
3. Employees who do not obtain the certification within the specified period will have their employment terminated without right to appeal, grieve, litigate or otherwise contest the termination.

NOTE:

Certification will not be required for employees who have permanent status in this class on June 1, 2010.
4. 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 appointment as a Real Property Evaluator 1 if required by job assignment.

PAY RANGE:

• Class Established:

  • 5/82

• Spec. Revision:

  • CSC: 5/97, Ad Board: 6/97
  • CSC: 5/10, Ad Board: 7/10
  • CSC: 5/11, Ad Board: 6/11

• Latest Spec. Revision:

  • CSC: 8/11, Ad Board: 9/11

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End Of Job Class Specification - 2D16