Assessment Specialist

Title: Assessment Specialist

Location: Santa Rosa United States

Job Description:

Expand your career with the County of Sonoma!

Become an Assessment Specialist with the Clerk-Recorder-Assessor's Office!

Starting salary up to $44.80/hour ($93,502/year), plus a competitive total compensation package!* 

Assessment Specialists perform complex, technical work requiring the review, research, and analysis of legal documents and property appraisal records. They learn to apply rules and regulations, legal instruments, and the Revenue and Taxations Code sections pertaining to property transfers, tax exemptions, exclusions, and valuation. Additional responsibilities will include:

• Interpreting and explaining codes, policies, and regulations to members of the public
• Working directly with Appraisers to update data, resolve problems, and explain property tax assessments to customers
• Making complex decisions regarding Change in Ownership, reappraisal and exclusions from reappraisal, and percentages thereof

The ideal candidate will have experience analyzing and interpreting legal documents to perform complex evaluations based on property tax laws, and will also possess many of the following:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with staff and the public by phone, in person, and in writing
• The ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment
• A keen attention to detail and the capacity to make accurate mathematical calculations
• Experience with real estate principals: working in a title or mortgage company, assessor, appraiser, or surveyor's office is highly desirable

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
• Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

The Clerk-Recorder-Assessor is currently recruiting to fill an Assessment Specialist position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

 

Experience and Education: Any combination of education and work experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein.  Normally, this would include the successful completion of thirty units of college level math, algebra, or related technical training in property and one year of experience as an equivalent to that of a Clerk-Recorder-Assessor Specialist II with experience working in a County assessment assignment or two years of full-time clerical experience working with appraisal, assessment, or property records in an appraiser's office, surveyor's office, or title company.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Certification: Upon approval by the Board of Supervisors, incumbents in assignments with responsibility for processing change in ownership transactions and exemptions applications are required to obtain the applicable Assessment Analyst certification from the California Board of Equalization, and once obtained, are required to maintain the certification while working in applicable assignments.  Incumbents working in the classification as of the date of adoption, are required to obtain the certification within one year of the County's adoption, and employees newly hired into applicable assignments in this classification are required to obtain certification within the probationary period.

Considerable knowledge of: the organization and functional responsibilities of each division; the use of electronic information equipment and specific systems as used within the office; property tax laws, rules, guidelines, policies and procedures, and of the terminology, processing codes, and work practices used in property tax assessment.

Working knowledge of: methods used in the assessment, conveyance, and transfer of property; modern office methods and procedures; legal descriptions of real property and the methods and documents used to convey and transfer title or real property; methods and techniques used in researching, organizing, and evaluating data including laws as defined in revenue & taxation code, civil, family, corporate, and probate codes; rules and procedures relating to real property ownership and exemptions; including property law, real estate terminology, and the Revenue and Taxation Code.

Ability to: read and comprehend various types of legal documents relating to real property including Property Tax Rules, Revenue and Taxation Code, annotations, Article XIII A of the California Constitution as dictated by the California State Board of Equalization; read and understand legal descriptions and maps; understand changes of ownership, potential reappraisal of real property, and eligibility of various property tax exemptions and exclusions; perform complex analytical evaluation of legal documents; research title for property ownership and reappraisability; make independent decisions on interpretations of law; utilize calculators, computer systems and programs, and other office equipment; accurately prepare and maintain department forms and records; utilize electronic information systems and analyze and interpret such information; post and make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately; use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; interact effectively with persons of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds; organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines; communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and successfully communicate and explain complex and technical information to the public; make basic mathematical calculations at a level for successful job performance.Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

 

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT 

HR Technician: PPB