About the job

Under direction plans, organizes, supervises and controls the annual real property commercial assessment program for a defined area of the county. Plans, supervises and directs the inspection and appraisal of all real estate including new construction, renovation and remodeling of commercial and industrial properties within a defined area of the county. Prepares schedules designed to complete the annual assessments program. Maintains logs and detailed records of all workload data and makes recommendations to improve the quality of the data. Advises and assists staff in the completion of more difficult appraisal assignments. Assists in the development of the real estate division annual operating and training budgets. Recommends staff to attend appraisal conferences, appraisal seminars, appraisal courses and other career development training. Monitors and maintains staff work levels through performance evaluation reports. Provides analysis and documented support for trends in real estate market activity to support recommendations for ongoing revenue forecasting. Measures the quality of staff work performance and reports on work status. Responds to taxpayer inquires. Makes presentations to homeowners’ associations and other public groups to explain trends in real estate assessments. Answers correspondence as assigned. Makes presentations to the Board of Equalization and Board of Supervisors. Appraises complex properties as directed. Prepares special reports on appraisal and assessment-related matters as directed. Defends contested assessments. Gives testimony in the circuit court as an expert witness. Other duties as assigned.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

Participates in planning and scheduling all work activity for the appraisal section (e.g., land and improvement review, revenue forecasting activities, new construction, permits, zoning, appeals and Board of Equalization cases) to assist in completing the annual assessments program;

Maintains logs and detailed records of all workload assignments;

Monitors the accuracy and completeness of the real estate database and makes recommendations to improve the quality of data;

Assists in developing the division’s annual operating and training budgets;

Provides analysis and documented support for trends in real estate market activity to assist in ongoing revenue forecasting;

Supervises and reviews appraisals made by subordinate appraisers;

Prepares detailed appraisal data in defense of contested assessments and testifies in Circuit Court as an expert witness;

Trains new Real Estate Appraisers;

Makes presentations to the Board of Equalization;

Makes presentations to citizens/public groups and associations to advise of current trends in real estate assessments Under direction of Assistant Director, reviews administrative appeals;

Under direction of Assistant Director, attends BOE meetings as county representative.

Required Knowledge Skills And Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

Extensive knowledge of local government tax assessment principles, practices and procedures in Virginia;

Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of appraising complex commercial and complex residential properties;

Ability to review facts related to appeal cases;

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;

Ability to maintain effective working relationship with County officials, staff and citizens;

Ability to make on-site inspections of real property;

Ability to manage appraisal staff in a way that promotes efficiency and productivity, and produces positive results at all times;

Ability to understand and review value computations performed by staff appraisers;

Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret documents relating to land use and zoning, among others;

Ability to oversee complex projects in a supervisory capacity;

Ability to set individual and staff priorities, to manage time efficiently, and to exhibit sound judgment;

Ability to write, proofread, edit, and rewrite documents effectively and to ensure staff does the same;

Ability to speak and respond to questions effectively before individuals, citizen groups, and public bodies.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree; Plus six years of increasingly responsible experience in the appraisal of real property for tax assessment purposes and Completion of emerging leaders/first time supervisory training in accordance with current Fairfax County Organizational Development & Training offerings, or equivalent, within six months of appointment.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver’s license.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a driving record check, and credit check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience performing macro analysis on commercial properties for tax assessment purposes.

Certified General Appraisal License, or

Designation from the International Association of Assessing Officers (RES, CAE, MAS or AAS) or

Appraisal Institute (MAI, SRPA).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Makes field inspections and measures real property improvements. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview, may include practical exercise.