2D18
PAY RANGE: EP21
This is advanced performance level real property appraisal, assessment and analysis work in an assigned geographical or specialty area. Employees in this class use a variety of appraisal approaches, methods and techniques recognized by the assessment industry to perform complex appraisal work, including evaluating complex and high valued apartment, hotel-motel, commercial, office, industrial, vacant land, government, institutional and residential properties or the evaluation of exempt properties, and may develop computerized appraisal systems, auditing assessment work and formulating assessment standards. An employee in this class may work as a team leader providing administrative direction and technical guidance to a team of lower level evaluators on complex evaluation assignments, serving as a senior technical authority on a variety of specific property types and related work and may coordinate the activities of an assigned real property unit. Work also includes responding to difficult or unique taxpayer inquiries and representing the department at assessment appeal hearings. Work is performed under the supervision of a Real Property Evaluation Supervisor.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
1. The positions must work in the Office of Property Assessment.
2. The positions must provide technical and administrative guidance to a team of lower level Real Property Evaluators.
3. The positions must work at the advanced performance level estimating fair market value of real property in a uniform manner.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Conducts annual assessments and valuations of high valued and complex 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; uses a consistent methodology for the fair, uniform and equitable valuation of properties for taxation purposes across like properties in the city.
Provides technical and administrative direction to lower level evaluators by assisting with complex assessment assignments; assigns work to lower level staff including aides and/or clerical personnel assigned to a unit; assists Real Property Evaluation Supervisors; coordinates the activities of an assigned unit; serves as a senior technical authority on a variety of specific property types, methods or geographic areas.
Analyzes income stream; reviews income and expense statements provided by owners or real estate agents; estimates stabilized expenses, calculates and applies appropriate capitalization rates; interprets deeds concerning subdivisions and consolidations for new property lines; makes decisions regarding the classification of property that has changed function or purpose.
Investigates current agency standards and procedures; makes recommendations toward the improvement of standards and procedures; contributes toward the development and revision of departmental policies; develops evaluation performance standards.
Performs random audit of appraising and assessing work; checks data and verifies conclusions on value; investigates taxpayer complaints; analyzes complaints for patterns of abuse.
Utilizes a computer to review, correct and analyze general and specific property data to conduct statistical analyses and compare market values; interprets market data showing descriptions of properties and sales trends to review and update market values; determines data such as the square footage of properties in a designated geographical or specialty area to conduct studies regarding properties; reviews plans, maps and computerized data to develop and interpret general characteristics of the market and specific characteristics of properties.
Prepares appeal responses; reviews appeals prepared by lower level evaluators before submission to the supervisor; testifies at assessment appeal hearings; testifies at the Court of Common Pleas during appeal trial.
Develops methods to preserve and increase the accuracy, security, and integrity of assessment data; develops computerized appraisal approaches, methods and techniques; analyzes current market value and assessment process and makes recommendations for improvement.
Assigns requests for exemption from real estate tax applications; reviews exemption eligibility reports prepared by lower level evaluators for accuracy; utilizes computerized databases to track exempt properties that are currently on abatement status to determine if property owners are current with all their property related fees.
Represents the Office of Property Assessment in meetings with other departments and City officials;
Analyzes current data characteristics in terms of efficiency for the assessment process; develops, modifies and applies statistical models for estimating market value, promoting greater accuracy and improving reliability and uniformity of assessed values; performs quality control when creating statistical reports to eliminate outliers such as “dollar deeds” to verify that transactions included have been conducted within the parameters to achieve fair market value; uses established standards for the consistent treatment of property owners in the city.
Attends, participates, prepares and conducts informal technical sessions in the area of his/her technical knowledge for the Office of Property Assessment; attends outside training seminars and assessing association meetings; prepares and circulates written reports concerning possible changes in market values estimations, assessing policy, practices, procedures and guidelines.
Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· approaches, methods and techniques of determining fair market value of real property
· the laws, ordinances, and assessment industry standards relating to real property appraisal and assessment
· current real property values and trends in values
· the income capitalization approach, sales comparison approach, and the cost approach to valuation of real property
· building construction methods and their costs
· assessment record maintenance procedures and standards
· descriptive and inferential statistics including sampling techniques
· the sources of real property information
· uniform standards of professional appraisal practice (USPAP)
· research techniques
SKILL IN:
· the use of personal computers and standard computer software, such as MS Word and Excel, Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal System (CAMA)
· applying the sales comparison, income capitalization, and cost approaches to property valuation
· real property related mathematical calculations and statistics
· report writing
· the use of assessment related computer software
· gathering and analyzing information
· obtaining appraisal information from recorded documents, plot plans, building plans, deeds, maps and exterior photography
· communicating effectively, both orally and in writing
ABILITY TO:
· read and interpret complex plans maps and computerized data
· train, plan, assign and review the work of lower level evaluators, aides and clerical employees
· interpret leases, deeds, and income and expense statements
· effectively resolve property owner conflicts or problems using tact and diplomacy
· present ideas clearly, both orally and in writing
· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, supervisors, other City employees, outside agencies, property owners and the public
· 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
· prepare weekly reports on field and office work
· attend and participate in all types of meetings outside the office during the day or evening
· solve problems and make decisions
· use 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 3/23.)
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university.
AND
CERTIFICATION:
Possession of certification as a Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator.
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Two years of experience performing real property appraisal, assessment and analysis work.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
One year of experience at the full performance level as a Real Property Evaluator 2 performing real property appraisal, assessment and analysis work for the Office of Property Assessment.
Preferred Certification / Experience:
Certification as a Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator
Prior experience in commercial appraisal or assessment
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions.
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with Certification as a Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator or with experience in commercial appraisal or assessment to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from of the two highest ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified degree, certification or experience.
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 Evaluator 3.
.
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 3.
Class Established - 5/83
Spec Revised: CSC - 4/99; Ad. Board - 8/99
CSC - 4/10; Ad. Board - 5/10
Spec Revision: CSC - 6/11; Ad. Board - 7/11
Spec Revision: CSC – 10/16; Ad. Board – 11/16
Spec. Revision: CSC – 2/23; Ad. Board – 3/23
Latest Spec. Revision: CSC – 2/25; Ad. Board – 3/25
CP