ASSESSOR (PROVISIONAL) ASSESSMENT & TAXATION

City of Buffalo; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Buffalo seeks an Assessor to determine property values for tax purposes. You will review parcels, analyze sales data, and apply standard appraisal methods to residential and small commercial properties.

Responsibilities include conducting field inspections, maintaining tax maps, preparing assessment reports, and advising on exemptions while ensuring accuracy and compliance with state guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 1 year of real estate appraisal experience.
• Associate's degree and 3 years of appraisal-related work.
• High school diploma with applicable real estate licensure and 3 years of experience.
• Equivalent combinations accepted by the employer.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field visits to inspect real property and record data.
• Utilize tax maps and appraisal cards for valuations.
• Prepare rough drawings and measure exterior dimensions.
• Abstract data from plans for new construction or alterations.
• Adjust assessments after verifying changes in records.
• Review exemption applications and advise on dispositions.

Skills

Real estate valuation

Field inspections

Data recording

Mathematical calculations

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Associate's Degree

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

An Assessor is responsible for the evaluating/appraising of real property to obtain basic data for determinations of valuation for tax purposes. Work involves the reviewing of property values and recommending assessments by comparing sales and physical information of similar properties for residential, small industrial and trade establishments. Incumbents are allowed considerable latitude in the planning and carrying out of individual assignments and in accordance with prescribed formula covering tax evaluation. Supervision is received from the Commissioner of Assessment and Taxation or a designee and incumbents may supervise personnel assigned.

• Conducts field visits of real property, i.e. residential, small industrial and trade establishments inspecting interior and exterior and recording pertinent data on field records cards;
• Utilizes and maintains current tax maps and appraisal cards;
• Prepares rough drawings of outline and perimeter of buildings;
• Measures exterior of building, houses or other structures in order to determine constructed square footage, story heights and the like;
• Abstracts data from plans and specifications for new construction and alterations;
• Checks buildings for any changes and corrects assessments accordingly;
• Reports discrepancies in records of location, topography, condition, site characteristics and improvements;
• Performs preliminary field investigations of grievances for reduction to assessments;
• Receives complaints and advises with the Commissioner of Assessment and Taxation on disposition of said complaints;
• Prepares reports of assessments activities as requested;
• Maintains necessary records on labor, material and building costs and other pertinent data;
• Reviews and makes determinations with respect to applications for tax exemption;
• Assists in making mathematical computations on assessment rolls;
• Performs related work as required.

OPEN COMPETITIVE

(A) Bachelor's Degree from a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education, and one year of full-time experience in an occupation involving real estate estimating or appraisal work, building construction estimating or appraisal work, or as a Real Estate Broker.

OR

(B) Associate’s Degree from a junior college or technical institute accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary, and three years of full-time experience in an occupation involving real estate estimating or appraisal work, building construction estimating or appraisal work, or as a Real Estate Broker.

OR

(C) Graduation from high school, GED or Equivalency Diploma and possession of a current valid State Certified General Appraiser certification, State Certified Residential Appraiser Certification, State Licensed Residential Appraisal License or a Real Estate Broker and three years of full-time experience in an occupation involving real estate estimating or appraisal work, building construction estimating or appraisal work.

OR

(D) An equivalent combination as defined within the limits of (A) thru (C).

Special Requirement

Possession of a current NYS Drivers License and access to a motor vehicle at time of appointment and maintained during employment.

*NOTE

• Applicants qualifying with a State Certified General Appraiser certification, State Certified Residential Appraiser Certification, State Licensed Residential Appraisal License or a Real Estate Broker must present proof of same at time of filing application.
• Proof of education must be presented at time of appointment.
• Verifiable part-time experience will be pro-rated to meet full-time experience requirements.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Good knowledge of making an appraisal of types of real property that are regularly sold;
• Good knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of real property valuation and assessment;
• Good knowledge of residential and commercial building construction methods, materials and their costs;
• Ability to make and review arithmetic computations with speed and accuracy;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with general public and officials;
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.