Real Estate Assessor 3

County of Northampton; Easton (Northampton County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Northampton is seeking a Real Estate Assessor 3 to perform expert property valuations for tax assessment across residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial properties. The role requires the ability to independently assign value across all property types and to oversee junior assessors in data collection and analysis.

The position emphasizes knowledge of valuation methods, data interpretation, and effective communication with property owners and officials.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of factors affecting residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial property values.
• Ability to determine property value for assessment purposes from information gathered.
• Ability to oversee work of assessment staff and coordinate data collection.

Responsibilities

• Study plans and data for appraisals including zoning, size, use, and construction.
• Inspect properties and gather assessment data with measurements and photos.
• Review data and determine appraisal value using multiple methods (cost, sales, income).
• Communicate with property owners and agents to explain assessments and address questions or complaints.
• Maintain and review data in assessment systems and software.

Skills

Property valuation

Data analysis

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator

PA residency requirement

Valid driver’s license

Tools

Assessment system

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sherry Christman, Human Resources Analyst at [e-mail] or 610-829-6382.

Equal Employment Opportunities – It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.

General Purpose

The Real Estate Assessor 3 is the third level position in the series of Real Estate Assessor jobs, performing real estate appraisal and assessment work determining values of land, residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial buildings, and other building and yard improvements for tax assessment purposes. This position is differentiated from related jobs in this series by the independent assignment of all property types.

Supervision Received

This position reports directly to a supervisory assessment position.

Supervision Exercised

This position exercises limited oversight of a Real Estate Assessor 1 and 2 by assigning tasks, reviewing completed tasks, training, and orientation.

Essential Duties of the Position

• Studies site, building, and other plans, specifications, and other sources to gather data required for appraisals such as zoning, size, use, location, quality of construction, depreciation, cost, income, and sales comparison data.
• Makes inspections of existing, newly constructed, and partially constructed buildings, as well as vacant parcels, for the purpose of gathering assessment data. Measures, photographs, and lists data about properties.
• Determines and/or verifies information on factors such as sales, size, and type of construction, including quality of workmanship and materials, land classifications, and use.
• Differentiates between real and personal property for building improvements.
• Reviews and analyzes information collected. Determines appraisal value of residential, agricultural, commercial/industrial, and other properties. Correlates estimates made by various recognized valuation methods including cost, sales comparison, and income approaches to arrive at a fair appraisal value.
• Converses with property owners, authorized managers or agents, developers, attorneys, and others, giving information, answering questions, and resolving complaints about current assessment, appraisal techniques, and/or appraised value.
• Compiles building permits, maps, aerial photography, etc. for field review.
• Accepts and processes applications and amendments for Clean and Green properties. Notifies higher level personnel when violations occur. Initiates billing process via calculation of estimated rollback taxes.
• Analyzes monthly sales for submission to the State Tax Equalization Board to determine the County’s Common Level Ratio.
• Inspects and photographs properties under appeal, reviews appraisals, and prepares data for the Revenue Appeals Board hearings.
• Runs and analyzes various reports including Permit Tracking, Act Sales, Homestead/Farmstead exclusions, Exemptions, etc.
• Monitors changes in laws and administers assessments pertaining to Act 319, Act 515, Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA), Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ), Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Act 4, Act 66, Act 43, Act 149, Exemptions, etc.
• Completes time sheets and mileage forms for reimbursement.
• Attends individual and staff meetings to determine overall work progress, particular issues requiring attention, and address staff concerns.
• Provides office coverage on a rotating basis.
• Attends Assessors’ Association of Pennsylvania chapter meetings and/or conferences for continuing education credits.
• Enters and reviews data in the assessment system, Word, Excel, Outlook, and various other programs.
• Orients and trains new personnel in assessing techniques and procedures, and oversees assessors’ ongoing assignments to ensure their progress and development as they gain experience in the field. Trains assessors in the field and observes activities, providing advice and assistance. Determines quantity, consistency, and quality of trainee’s appraisal techniques. Reviews and corrects factual documentation and computations. Reviews trainee’s valuation and determines final conclusion.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Completion of a high school, or general equivalency diploma; AND
• At least two (2) years of satisfactory full‑time, or full time equivalent, professional experience in assessing real property involving all property types; AND
• Certification as a Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator administered by the Pennsylvania State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; AND
• Must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for at least six (6) months; AND
• Employees assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license. Must have an acceptable driving record. Personal vehicle required for County business; employee is eligible for mileage reimbursement.

Background Investigation

As a post-offer, prerequisite for appointment, appointees must pass a motor vehicle driving record check.

Retention Requirements

Recertification as a Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator is required every two (2) years via the accumulation of twenty‑eight (28) hours of professional continuing education credits, of which seven (7) hours must on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, and two (2) hours on the Assessors Certification Law, Act 28 of 1992.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of factors affecting residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial property values.
• Thorough knowledge of building construction practices.
• Thorough knowledge of mathematical methods and techniques used to determine shape, size, and area of structures or parcels of land.
• Ability to determine property value for assessment purposes from information gathered.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the unit.
• Ability to determine, secure, and apply factors affecting property values for all property types.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, property owners, and the public.
• Ability to oversee the work of assessment, technical, and clerical personnel engaged in assessment or support activities.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

Tools and Equipment

• Telephone, personal computer (including word processing and spreadsheet software), calculator, writing implements, fax machine, copy machine, scanner, paper shredder, tape measure, pencil, handheld device, camera, and computerized property appraisal system.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop or kneel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty‑five (25) pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work in the field.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, but may become moderate to loud in the field.

Selection Guidelines

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA STATUS: FLSA NON-EXEMPT (ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME) DESIGNATION: CAREER SERVICE PAY GRADE: RU-23 UNION STATUS: AFSCME RESIDUAL NON-PROFESSIONAL UNIT