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Assessors

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Summary Description


	Appraise real and personal property to determine its fair value. May assess taxes in accordance with prescribed schedules.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Appraiser

2.	Assessor

3.	Auditor Appraiser

4.	Certified General Mass Real Estate Appraiser

5.	City Assessor

6.	Commercial Appraiser

7.	Commercial Real Estate Appraiser

8.	County Assessor

9.	Deputy Assessor

10.	Director of Assessing

11.	Easement Man

12.	Easement Worker

13.	Field Appraiser

14.	Field Assessor

15.	Licensed Mass Real Estate Appraiser

16.	Multi-Township Assessor

17.	Personal Property Appraiser

18.	Personal Property Assessor

19.	Real Estate Appraiser

20.	Real Estate Assessor

21.	Real Property Appraiser

22.	Real Property Evaluator

23.	Residential Appraiser

24.	Tangible Personal Property Appraiser

25.	Tax Appraiser

26.	Tax Assessor

Job Tasks

	Establish uniform and equitable systems for assessing all classes and kinds of property.

	Determine taxability and value of properties, using methods such as field inspection, structural measurement, calculation, sales analysis, market trend studies, and income and expense analysis.

	Inspect new construction and major improvements to existing structures to determine values.

	Explain assessed values to property owners and defend appealed assessments at public hearings.

	Inspect properties, considering factors such as market value, location, and building or replacement costs to determine appraisal value.

	Prepare and maintain current data on each parcel assessed, including maps of boundaries, inventories of land and structures, property characteristics, and any applicable exemptions.

	Identify the ownership of each piece of taxable property.

	Conduct regular reviews of property within jurisdictions to determine changes in property due to construction or demolition.

	Complete and maintain assessment rolls that show the assessed values and status of all property in a municipality.

	Issue notices of assessments and taxes.

	Write and submit appraisal and tax reports for public record.

	Review information about transfers of property to ensure its accuracy, checking basic information on buyers, sellers, and sales prices and making corrections as necessary.

	Maintain familiarity with aspects of local real estate markets.

	Analyze trends in sales prices, construction costs, and rents, to assess property values or determine the accuracy of assessments.

	Serve on assessment review boards.

	Hire staff members.

	Approve applications for property tax exemptions or deductions.

	Provide sales analyses to be used for equalization of school aid.

	Calculate tax bills for properties by multiplying assessed values by jurisdiction tax rates.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.


		use computers to enter, access and retrieve financial data

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.


		appraise value of real estate

		appraise, evaluate, or inventory real property or equipment

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.


		compute taxes

		compute financial data

		compile data for financial reports

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		follow contract, property, or insurance laws

		follow tax laws or regulations

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.


		understand property documents

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.


		prepare financial reports

		prepare tax reports

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.


		explain government laws or regulations

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.


		inspect property

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.


		direct serving of legal documents

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
	Appraisers and assessors of real estate estimate the value of real property for a variety of purposes, such as to assess property tax, to determine a sales price, or to determine the amount of a mortgage that might be granted on a property. They may be called on to determine the value of any type of real estate, ranging from farmland to a major shopping center, although they often specialize in appraising or assessing only a certain type of real estate such as residential buildings or commercial properties. Assessors determine the value of all properties in a locality for property tax purposes whereas appraisers appraise properties one at a time for a variety of purposes, such as to determine what a good sale price would be for a home or to settle an estate or aid in a divorce settlement.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
	Appraisers and assessors spend much of their time researching and writing reports. However, with the advancement of computers and other technologies, such as wireless Internet, time spent in the office has decreased as research can now be done in less time or on-site or at home. Records that once required a visit to a courthouse or city hall can often be found online. This has especially affected self-employed appraisers, often called independent fee appraisers, who make their own office hours, allowing them to spend much more time on-site doing research and less time in their office. Time spent on-site versus in the office also depends on the specialty. For example, residential appraisers tend to spend less time on office work than commercial appraisers, who could spend up to several weeks for one site analyzing documents and writing reports. Appraisers who work for private institutions generally spend most of their time inside the office, making on-site visits when necessary.

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Interesting Fact

Sean Connery's father was a truck driver.

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