Posted: Jul 10, 2025
APPLY

Appraiser I

Santa Clara County Assessor's Office - San Jose, CA
Full-time
Salary: $81,313.44 - $98,213.44 Annually
Application Deadline: Jul 23, 2025
Appraisal
Description:
 
Under immediate supervision, receives on-the-job training in the techniques and methodology of real property appraisal; to perform research and valuation work in the appraisal of residential real property for tax assessment purposes.

Please Note: The written examination for this recruitment is tentatively scheduled for the second or third week of August 2025 via an online platform. 

Typical Tasks

  • Receives classroom and on-the-job training in the fundamentals of appraising;
     
  • Collects data by measuring structures, inspecting exteriors and interiors of buildings, and obtains cost and sales data by contacts with owners, contractors, and real estate agents;
     
  • Learns office procedures and methods involved in dealing with the public, on the phone, through written correspondence, and at the public service counter;
     
  • Learns methods involved in classifying structures according to shape, size, and type of construction;
     
  • Becomes familiar with  the comparable sales and replacement cost approaches to value;
     
  • Collects and analyzes data for routine appraisals of lands, improvements, and personal property for assessment purposes;
     
  • Reviews blueprints and inspects interiors and exteriors of buildings and other structures to determine basic cost and changes affecting value;
     
  • Calculates areas;
     
  • Drafts maps to scale of homes and improvements;
     
  • Classifies structures according to shape, size, type of construction, and construction costs;
     
  • Explains appraisal methods and procedures to taxpayers;
     
  • Analyzes taxpayers' books and records;
     
  • May be assigned as Disaster Service Worker, as required;
     
  • And performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment, and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County Driver's Permit.
 
Eligible for California State Board of Equalization temporary certification as an appraiser for property tax purposes.
 
Per Property Tax Rule 283, the State Board of Equalization has set forth the following standards for the above temporary certification.
 
1.      Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
 
OR
 
2.      Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent California Department of Education approved GED and four (4) years of relevant experience.
 
"Relevant experience" means employment experience within the last ten years in any of the following occupations:
 
(A) An Accountant, Auditor, Real Property Appraiser, Building Cost Estimator, Engineer, Real Estate Loan Agent, Real Estate Loan Underwriter, Right-of-Way Agent, Licensed Building Contractor;
 
OR
 
(B) A Real Estate Licensee, licensed by the California Department of Real Estate, engaged in buying, selling, leasing, or managing real estate;
 
OR
 
(C) An Appraiser Aide or Appraiser Trainee in an assessor's office or in the property taxes department of the State Board of Equalization;
 
OR
 
(D) An employee, other than an Appraiser, Appraiser Aide, or Appraiser Trainee, of an assessor's office or of the property taxes department of the State Board of Equalization, except that such employment time shall be limited to qualifying for only 2/3 of the four-year experience requirement. The remaining 1/3 of time shall be accumulated by other relevant experience as described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) above or by education in an accredited institution of higher education.
Four (4) years of relevant experience or any combination of relevant experience and of education in an accredited institution of higher education can be substituted for the educational requirements in subsection 1.
 
Applicants are expected to successfully complete a one-year training program and pass the certification examination administered by the State of California or vacate the position.
 
Knowledge of:
 
  • Fundamental research methods including data collection and statistical analysis;
     
  • Computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets and/or databases;
     
  • Basic mathematics and plane geometry;
     
  • Record keeping principles and procedures;
     
  • Principles of customer service; telephone, office and online etiquette.
Ability to: 
  • Understand and apply the California Revenue and Taxation Code as it relates to the appraisal of property;
     
  • Understand and use the comparable sales, replacement cost and income approach to value;
     
  • Learn methods and procedures used in establishing market value of real and personal property;
     
  • Learn methods and practices used in making estimates of structural costs on residential improvements;
     
  • Make and understand simple scale drawings reflecting the size, shape, dimensions and physical characteristics of real property and improvements;
     
  • Read and understand blueprints of new building structures and improvements;
     
  • Interview and elicit information from individuals by telephone, through written correspondence and in person;
     
  • Assemble, analyze and draw logical conclusions from data;
     
  • Keep accurate and detailed records;
     
  • Make arithmetical calculations;
     
  • Interpret and apply verbal and written instructions and appropriate government codes relating to the appraisal of property;
     
  • Communicate effectively to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of business;
     
  • Prepare correspondence and reports.

Physical Requirements

Inspect construction sites which may require walking over uneven surfaces;
Lift moderately heavy objects weighing up to 20 pounds, such as large commercial plans.