Property Appraiser 1

State of Montana; Montana; On-site; USD 52,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision care

Free health care for employees

Employee Assistance Benefits

Retirement plans

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Holidays

Flexible hours

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The State of Montana seeks a Property Appraiser in the Department of Revenue, Property Assessment Division, to conduct residential reviews, analyze land use, and determine final property values. You will perform inspections, analyze sales data, and support appeals and disputes with accurate documentation.

Required Montana certification (IAAO 101) and USPAP training within the first year, plus strong data research and communication skills. Travel to field sites is expected.

Qualifications

• Two years of post-secondary education in business, accounting, economics, public administration, construction tech or related.
• One year of job-related experience; preferred appraisal/assessment background.
• Montana certification in residential property appraisal (IAAO 101) and USPAP training within first year.

Responsibilities

• Conduct property reviews and discoveries to identify appraisal needs and priorities.
• Review tax records, land use, improvements, and valuation documents.
• Research and analyze residential property characteristics to estimate value impact.
• Perform comparable sales analysis and adjustments to valuations.
• Conduct field appraisals and site inspections of subject properties.
• Document professional assumptions and limiting conditions.

Skills

Research & analysis

Accuracy & attention to detail

Conflict resolution

Microsoft Office & databases

Written & verbal communication

Education

Two years post-secondary in business/ accounting/ economics/ public administration

Montana residential property appraisal cert (IAAO 101) and USPAP training

Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent

Tools

GIS/cadastral tools

Job description

Our services impact EVERY Montanan!

++MISSION STATEMENT++

To be the nation’s most citizen oriented, efficiently administered, state tax agency.

The Montana Department of Revenue administers approximately 40 state taxes, property appraisals, alcohol beverage laws, cannabis laws, and unclaimed property for the state of Montana. The Property Assessment Division manages Montana’s property assessment and valuation of all taxable property for property tax purposes. PAD is comprised of the Geographic Information System Unit, Program Support Unit, Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal Unit, Industrial Unit, Division Administration team, and approximately 30 local field offices in various counties in Montana.

What We Can Offer You

The State of Montana’s comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health, dental, and vision care; life insurance; and long-term disability. The State currently contributes $12,648/year toward these benefits.

• Free health care for employees and eligible family member at Montana Health Centers.

• Employee Assistance Benefits including counseling, legal assistance, well-being coaching, financial information, which are free resources.

• Retirement plans- The State currently contributes 9.17 %, vested after 5 years of continuous employment.

• Paid vacation- starting at 15 days a year.

• Sick leave- 12 days a year.

• 11 holidays, including a floating holiday, which can be used any time.

• Flexible hours.

• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Visit the Health Care and Benefits Division for more information at https://benefits.mt.gov/. In addition to employee benefits, there are a wide range of advancement opportunities throughout the Department of Revenue.

++DUTIES++

Job Overview:

This position resides in the Property Assessment Division of Department of Revenue. Duties include residential property reviews, discoveries, data research, and field appraisals. Complete inspections to determine the residential property final valuation. Analyze, assess, and classify land uses. Assist with specification, calibration, and benchmarking of land models, sales comparisons, and property characteristics. Support ongoing program operations and activities. Respond to taxpayer inquiries and explain appraisal activities. Provide dispute resolution and participate in appeal hearings. The position does not supervise other staff.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Conduct property reviews and discoveries to identify appraisal needs and priorities, recommend priorities based on property use, value, location, and other characteristics.

• Review tax records, land use, improvements, valuation documents, and other information.

• Identify properties for appraisal review.

• Research and analyze individual residential property characteristics to estimate the impact on property values.

• Analyze and evaluate appraisal information and determine final property value.

• Examine site and improvement data, sanitation regulations, zoning, planning, covenants, deed restrictions, and other technical and legal documentation.

• Compile and analyze construction cost data and determine the effects on property values.

• Conduct field appraisals and site inspections of subject properties.

• Perform comparable sales to identify valuation factors.

• Collect data required for maps, plats, and sketches used in appraisals.

• Determine the primary use for appraised properties.

• Document professional assumptions and limiting conditions.

• Determine comparable sales data and adjustments to valuations.

• Estimate the value of site improvements.

• Determine appropriate appraisal method (cost or market) for residential properties.

• Verify information in title and ownership data, inspection reports, market models, and other sources.

Knowledge of:

• Appraisal methods for residential properties

• Construction, mapping, GIS, and cadastral

• Property sales and valuations procedures

Skills in:

• Research and analysis

• Accuracy and attention to detail

• Conflict resolution

• Microsoft programs and other database applications

• Written, verbal, and interpersonal communication

You would be a great fit for this position if you:

• Self-motivation

• Follow instructions

• Provide timely customer service

• Multitask and prioritize work under deadlines

• Basic computer skills

• Accuracy and attention to detail

• Conflict Resolution

• Ability to communicate with a wide range of personalities using discretion, active listening, critical thinking, and problem sensitivity.

• Written and verbal communication

• Outstanding Customer Service

To be considered for any DOR position, applicants must complete and submit their application online and upload any required documents. Successful applicants are required to successfully pass DOR tax and background check(s). DOR is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

***This is an incomplete list of job duties. For a complete job description please contact Human Resources. ([e-mail] or 406-444-9858)

(All computer systems and tax guidelines will be trained on the job.)

++REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS++

Please submit the following application material:

• Resume

• Complete state application

Submissions incomplete or missing relevant materials will not be reviewed or considered. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process. When attaching documents, mark each as” relevant“ to ensure they are viewable.

Applicant Pool Statement

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

++Special Requirements++

• Criminal Background Check . Circumstances involving convictions will be reviewed

• Tax status must be current. Circumstances involving tax status issues will be reviewed

++Working Conditions++

• Work hours may exceed 40 hours from time to time, including weekends.

• Office environment.

• Working outside.

• Lifting is infrequent, less than 15 pounds.

• Travel is required, must have a valid driver’s license.

++REMOTE/TELEWORK:++

This position may be eligible to work from an approved worksite; however, the successful candidate must be a primary resident of Montana as a condition of employment. This position would be required to report to the Department of Revenue office assigned by the supervisor. Employees must meet and sustain Department of Revenue telework eligibility requirements and supervisor’s approval to participate in the DOR Telework Program. Full-time teleworking is not available.

++Training Assignment:++

This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Effective May 26, 2026, this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/ .

Eligibility to Work

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a “green card”. The State of Montana does not sponsor.

Special Information

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver’s license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

Successful applicants are required to successfully pass DOR tax and background check(s).

++EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE++

The above competencies are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to:

• Two years of post-secondary education in business, accounting, economics, public administration, construction technology or training; and

• One year of job-related experience.

• Preferred work experience includes appraisal, property tax appraisal, assessment, auditing, agriculture, forestry, surveying, real estate, or related field.

• Requires Montana certification in residential property appraisal (IAAO 101), and USPAP per ARM 42.18.206-208 and MCA Title 15; within the first year of employment.

• Other combinations of education and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis.

The minimum level needed within one year of work is:

• Montana certification in residential property appraisal (IAAO 101), per ARM 42.18.206-208 and MCA Title 15

• Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice training (USPAP), ARM 42.18.206-208