The Senior Real Estate Appraisal Specialist, under general supervision, performs technical work in appraising residential zoned land, residential buildings, and multifamily and other real property improvements for tax appraisal purposes. Work involves contacting property owners; sketching layouts of structures; and determining the size, type of construction, structural elements, grade of materials, quality of workmanship and other related appraisal data needed to arrive at the taxable value. Employee is also responsible for valuing residential land by determining highest and best use and considering influences such as road frontage, size, shape, topography, access and location. Assist in the preparation of reports and maps for quality control and statistical analysis using various reporting and geographical information software. In revaluation years works as an integral part of the appraisal team in the planning and implementation of countywide revaluation. Establishes cost schedule for residential improvements and land values for residential zoning for revaluation. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in ensuring proper application of established policies and procedures to individual appraisal cases. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with property owners, other departments, and the general public. Work is guided by the North Carolina Machinery Act and the generally accepted rules and procedures of real property appraisal.

Responsible for the appraisal, at market value, of residential vacant land and improvements during the countywide revaluation.

Compiles, verifies and analyzes data extracted from the market concerning building costs and sales for all appraisal approaches to value.

Appraises residential land and improvements at market value.
Appraises some commercial land and improvements at market value as necessary.

Establishes base residential land values and cost schedules for residential improvements for revaluation.

Analyzes market data for improved and vacant residential property.

Reviews appraisal records for accuracy and equity.
Assists in measuring, listing and assessing all new commercial structures and improvements, including, but not limited to, offices, warehouses, retail buildings, banks, paving, etc. as requested.

Measures, lists, and assesses new residential dwellings and improvements, including, but not limited to, detached garages, decks, porches, pools, pool houses, patios, outbuildings, etc.

Sketches layouts of structures and determines size, type of construction, structural elements, grade of materials etc.

Enters commercial data into CAMA system, including, but not limited to, drawing structures, scanning and attaching images and other documentation to the parcel file as assigned.

Explains and defends appraisals before the local Board of Equalization and Review and the State Property Tax Commission.

Prepare reports, compiles and scans information for the Board of Equalization and Review.

Schedules appeals on behalf of the Clerk to the Board of Equalization and Review as assigned.

Prepares agendas, notebooks, and files for Board of Equalization and Review meetings as assigned.

Sets up Board of Equalization and Review meeting rooms with supplies and computer equipment as necessary.

Mails Board of Equalization meeting notifications and real estate decision letters as requested.

Conducts annual appraisal of land splits, corrections and zoning changes.

Verifies commercial and industrial sales to determine if sales are valid and arms-length as necessary.

Makes any necessary changes/corrections in CAMA and resets sales information.

Analyzes building blueprints and specifications, zoning types and regulations, real estate sales data and other factors which affect property value.

Assists in updating Geographic Information System (GIS) project by adding themes or creating shapefiles used by staff appraisers and office support staff as necessary.

Creates using GIS software.

Provides assistance to Information Technology and Tax GIS staff as requested.

Assists interested persons and other governmental departments in obtaining data concerning property locations and ownership, assessed value of property and other information.

Designs and maintains reports using various software including Crystal Reports, MS Access, and MS Excel to comply with user needs as necessary.

Performs troubleshooting procedures to identify and corrects desktop system errors and/or serves as liaison between staff, IT support, and software vendors as necessary.

Serves as Department Website Champion for the Appraisal Division submitting updates and corrections as needed as requested.

Monitors and maintains existing programs and database applications including CAMA system and MS Access tracking system updating as appropriate.

Tests New CAMA systems for errors as requested.

Trains users in operations/procedures for new or changed programs as requested.

Assists in the training and onboarding of new employees as necessary.

Assists co-workers with various technical and appraisal questions.

Assists with NC Department of Revenue sales ratio study and research and verification of permits as needed.

Assists in Customer Service as needed and responds to taxpayer questions and concerns about their property via phone calls, emails, and site visits.

Knowledge of current construction costs, land costs, rental income and proper expenses, capitalization techniques, physical depreciation, economic obsolescence, and functional obsolescence of all building types.

Knowledge of the North Carolina Machinery Act and county tax policies as applicable to tax listing and assessment.

Knowledge of and ability to use accounting and auditing principles and procedures.

Interprets and applies complex law, rules, and regulations pertaining to taxes.

Prepares complete records and reports concerning division activities.

Establishes and maintains effective relationships with department supervisors, employees, co-workers, property owners, and the general public and to exercise tact and discretion.

Completes courses in laws relating to county and city taxes.

Compares and/or judges the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Applies principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; interprets a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.

Communicates effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including legal, accounting, and personnel.

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities.

Maintains high-quality communication and interacts with other County Agencies, co-workers, and the general public.

Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities.

Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Exercises analytical judgment in area of responsibility.

Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specify decision objectives.

Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations.

Seeks expert or experienced advice and research problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same.

Questions instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with policy or procedures, etc.

Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and agencies within the County.

Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and division benefit.

Contributes to maintaining high morale among all division employees.

Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with division employees, staffers and managers in other divisions, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the division and project a good division image.

Is able to tactfully and effectively handle requests, suggestions and complaints from other divisions and persons in order to maintain good will within the County.

Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisor, professionals and the general public.

Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly.

Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the County and various regulatory agencies and to see that the standards are not violated.

Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Operates computers for data entry, word processing and/or statistical analysis purposes.

Operates highly technical computer applications, such as GIS or CAMA.

Reads a variety of reports, correspondence, real property appraisals and assessments, sales ratio studies, finance audit reports, deeds, surveys, permits, etc., and prepares correspondence, reports, forms, maps, studies, assessments, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction and style.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
Requires an Associate's Degree from an accredited university, and five (5) years of experience in mass appraisal of real estate or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications:
IAAO course 101.

IAAO course 102 or 300.

Department of Revenue Tax Appraiser certification.

Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.

Special Requirements:
Knowledge of automated valuation techniques and computer modifying for all classes of property subject to ad valorem taxation is required.

Education and Experience:
Associate's Degree from an accredited university, and five (5) years of experience in mass appraisal of real estate or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications:
Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.

Certified Assessment Evaluator (CAE).

Residential Evaluation Specialist (RES).

Mass Appraisal Specialist (MAS).

Assessment Administration Specialist (AAS).

NC DOR Certified Real Property Appraiser II.

NC DOR Certified Real Property Appraiser III.

Special Requirements:
Knowledge of automated valuation techniques and computer modifying for all classes of property subject to ad valorem taxation is required.