Real Property Field Investigator Trainee

Luzerne County; Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Luzerne County is seeking a Property Appraiser in the Assessing Office to inspect real properties within an assigned district and collect data for tax valuations. You will document construction details, take measurements and photographs, and ensure accuracy in assessment records for fair valuation.

Responsibilities include explaining assessment decisions to the public and coordinating with the Director/Chief Clerk. A valid driver's license and soon-to-be CPE certification are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license and own vehicle.
• Must obtain CPE license within one year.

Responsibilities

• Visit properties in assigned district to locate and inspect for data.
• Measure, photograph, and sketch size, type, age and condition of construction.
• Enter updated property data into assessment records and review maps, deeds, and tax records.

Skills

Observation

Measurement accuracy

Maps literacy

Report writing

Public interaction

CAMA sketches

Education

High school diploma

Tools

CAMA Software

Tax records

Job description

This is technical work inspecting real property for the purpose of determining values for tax purposes.

An employee in this class locates and visits properties in an assigned district of the county and gathers specific data through observation, photography, measurement, and interviewing of owners and builders. The emphasis at this level is on obtaining complete and accurate information to assure a fair assessment. Work may be complicated by difficulty in locating specific properties and owners. Office duties include the maintenance of assessment records, explaining the reasons for assessment decisions to the public, and studying maps, deeds, tax records, etc. to gain further information on properties.

Inspection reports are reviewed by appropriate supervisor for completeness.

Work is performed under the direction of a technical supervisor and reviewed periodically for accuracy and adherence to procedure.
Typical Examples of Work

• Locates properties to be inspected by studying maps, deeds and other county records and also by directly searching the area and questioning residents when necessary.
• Visits properties, notes, and measures size, type and quality of construction, use, age, and condition.
• Takes photographs and makes sketches for use in computing property values.
• Inspects properties where buildings have burned or a catastrophic loss has occurred.
• Explains reasons for assessment decisions to the public.
• Gathers data on assessment decisions for use by Assessment Appeal Board.
• Enters updated property data into assessment records.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Director/Chief Clerk.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of physical, social and economic factors affecting property values.
• Knowledge of materials and methods of constructions used in residential and commercial properties.
• Ability to make accurate, detailed observations of buildings and properties and prepare complete reports.
• Ability to measure accurately and make drawings to scale.
• Ability to locate properties using maps and records such as deeds wills and tax records.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally, and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with other government officials and the general public.
• Must have the ability to prepare sketches on CAMA Software.

Minimum Experience and Training

• Education equivalent of graduation from a standard high school.
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license.
• Must own a motor vehicle.
• Must attain Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator (CPE) license within one ( 1) year from date of employment.

“LUZERNE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.”