Appraiser I/II (Open and Promotional)

Job Description:

Appraiser I/II (Open and Promotional)

Description

Description
The Office of the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer for the County of San Mateo is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Appraiser I/II.

Appraisers determine the value of real estate and personal property for tax assessment purposes. They make site visits to properties and use industry-related databases to obtain, process, and analyze data for the timely completion of the valuations of real and personal property. Appraisers also determine the accessibility of properties upon Change in Ownership, new construction, Exemption, etc., per Property Tax rules and regulations. Appraisers may be required to prepare appraisal cases for assessment appeals and should be willing to attend, and if necessary, present at appeals hearings and testify as expert witnesses.

The Assessor's Office is currently involved in the appraisal and assessment of several large-scale commercial, manufacturing, research and development, and mixed-use developments being built throughout San Mateo County. This is an exciting time to join a hard-working, high-functioning team of appraiser and assessor professionals committed to public service.

The County offers a comprehensive training program for those interested in making a career in appraisal and assessment services. A career ladder exists with promotional opportunities from the Appraiser I level to the Appraiser II, Senior Appraiser, and Principal Appraiser levels. Executive management positions include Chief Appraiser and Deputy Assessor-Clerk-Recorder.

Appraiser I is the entry level in the Appraiser series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents are trained in making appraisals of single family residential, modest residential-income, and simple rural properties. As experience is gained, there is greater independence of action and decision making within general guidelines. This class is flexibly staffed with Appraiser II and incumbents are expected to advance to the higher level after gaining experience, demonstrating proficiency, and successfully completing Board of Equalization (BOE)-prescribed courses and obtaining a permanent BOE certification. The salary range for the Appraiser I classification is $86,798.40 - $96,969.60 per year.

At the Appraiser II level, a qualified applicant will be fully competent to independently complete appraisals of residential, neighborhood commercial, light industrial properties and interests. While commercial appraisal experience is not required, it is a plus. Appraiser II's are required to have a good understanding of Property Tax Rules and Regulations as they pertain to assessments due to Change in Ownership, new construction, Exemptions, and Exclusions. The salary range for the Appraiser II classification is $95,929.60 - $119,912.00 per year.

Generally, two years of experience completing property appraisals of taxable real property for tax assessment purposes is expected for the advancement from Appraiser I to Appraiser II. However, promotions may occur before two years with the recommendation and approval of managers and the department head.

The ideal candidate for this opportunity will:

• Have a positive, "never-say-never" attitude.
• Have a commitment to public service.
• Challenge themselves.
• Contribute positively to the team.
• Be technically competent in using computers and computer software in accordance with the duties of the job.
• Complete their work efficiently, thoroughly, and confidently.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Actively participate in process improvement projects.
• Have the ability to adapt to the everchanging technology.

In addition, the ideal candidate will be:

• A fast learner.
• Adaptable to a rapidly changing work environment.
• Interested in professional growth and development.
• Organized and decisive.
• An analytical thinker.
• Open to feedback, supervision, and training.
• Technologically savvy.
• Excited about the job.

The Department
The mission of the Office of the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer is to ensure equitable treatment of County property owners by accurate and fair valuation of land, improvements, and businesses; to create an accurate public record of recorded transactions relating to people and property within San Mateo County; and to register County citizens to vote and efficiently conduct honest elections.

The Department is responsible for:

• The maintenance of over 234,000 assessments and a local property tax roll of over $357 billion.
• The maintenance of County birth, death, and marriage records.
• The maintenance of over 3,000,000 recorded land records.
• The facilitation of local elections.
• The maintenance of the voter registration rolls representing over 330,000 County voters.

The Department is also responsible for a budget of about $23 million, election billing to all jurisdictions, and 16 governmental trust funds.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Obtain, process, and analyze data for the timely completion of valuations of real estate for tax assessment purposes.
• Perform appraisals of single-family residential, modest residential-income, neighborhood commercial, light industrial, simple rural, possessory interest, and routine personal properties in assigned areas.
• Process Change in Ownership, process new construction actions and documents, and determine accessibility of such events.
• Regularly interact with property owners, business owners, and the public.
• Conduct research and write appraisal reports.
• Review appraisals with property owners and their agents.
• Use market, cost, and/or income approaches for determining property value.
• Make site visits and conduct reviews of records to investigate and analyze appropriate data affecting the valuation for the site, structures, and personal property to determine the elements affecting value.
• Gather, process, record, and analyze cost, sale, income, and expense data.
• Evaluate market and economic trends affecting property values.
• Select and make appropriate adjustments to comparable property.
• Accurately calculate historic, reproduction, and replacement costs and accurately identify and measure depreciation and obsolescence.
• Appraise and properly classify land, structural improvements, fixtures, and personal property.
• Measure income-producing characteristics of property and appropriately capitalize the income stream into value.
• Perform a high volume of appraisal work involving the more typical residential, commercial, industrial, manufacturing, agricultural, and personal properties.
• Appraise typical total property interests including real and personal property.
• Process business property statements and identify personal property accounts for direct assessment.
• Prepare appraisal cases for assessment appeals and be willing to attend, and if necessary, present cases before the Assessment Appeals Board and testify as an expert witness.
• Use computers and computer software applicable to the duties of the job.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Certification
Under the Revenue and Taxation Code any person performing the duties of an Appraiser for property tax purposes as an employee of the state, any county, or any city and county, must hold a valid appraiser's certificate issued by the California State Board of Equalization.

As part of employment with the County, new employees will apply for a temporary appraiser certificate. Possession of a temporary appraiser certificate allows an employee to perform the duties of an appraiser until permanently certified. A temporarily certified appraiser must obtain permanent certification within one-year of employment to continue performing appraisal duties.

As part of the training program for new appraisers, the County will assist new employees with the preparation for permanent certification. However, taking and passing the certification exam is the ultimate responsibility of the employee.

To be eligible for a temporary appraiser certificate, an applicant must be able to meet the employment experience and/or education requirements outlined by the Board of Equalization as described below:

Education and Experience

• Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution of higher learning; or
• Be a high school graduate (or equivalent) and have four years of relevant experience; or
• Possess a combination of education and relevant experience totaling four years.

Per the BOE Government Code, specifically Property Tax Rule 282 governing Temporary Certifications and Rule 283 (a)(3) outlining minimum requirements, "relevant experience" means employment within the last ten years in any of the following occupations:

1. An accountant, auditor, real property appraiser, building cost estimator, real estate loan agent, real estate loan underwriter, right-of-way agent, licensed building contractor, or
2. A real estate licensee, licensed by the California Department of Real Estate, engaged in buying, selling, leasing, or managing real estate,
3. An appraiser aide or appraiser trainee in an Assessor's Office or in the BOE's Property Tax Department,
4. An employee, other than an appraiser, appraiser aide, or appraiser trainee, of an Assessor's Office or of the BOE's Property Tax Department, 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 1., 2., and 3. above or by education in an accredited institution of higher education.

Additional information about the education and experience requirements can be found at: https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/pdf/rules/Rule283.pdf (Download PDF reader)

Additional information about the California State Board of Equalization can be found at: https://www.boe.ca.gov/

Additional qualifications include the following:

Knowledge of

• Business arithmetic.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Record-keeping principles and procedures.
• Technical and professional appraisal procedures.
• California Property Tax laws.
• State Board of Equalization guidelines.
• Court decisions affecting assessment procedures.
• Methods to appraise and assess typical real and personal property interests.

Skill/Ability to

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during work.
• Read, interpret, and apply rules, policies, and procedures.
• Travel to a variety of geographic locations throughout the County according to regular schedules as well as on demand.
• Operate standard office equipment, including departmental applications.
• Use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Select and make appropriate adjustments to comparable property.
• Accurately determine historic, reproduction and replacement costs.
• Accurately identify and measure depreciation and obsolescence.
• Measure income-producing characteristics of property and appropriately capitalize the income stream into value.
• Identify and classify various types of land, land use, sites, buildings, structures, manufactured homes, vessels, aircraft, trade fixtures, and personal property interests in an accurate and uniform manner.
• Prepare written appraisal reports.

Application/Examination
Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/ limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

The examination process will consist of an Application Screening (weight: pass/fail) and a Panel Interview (weight: 100%), which may include the evaluation of a brief writing exercise given immediately preceding the interview. Applicants must successfully pass the Application Screening to advance to the Interview. Candidates successfully passing the Panel Interview will be placed on the Eligible (or Hiring) List.

Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or a screening committee may select those applicants whose education and/or experience appear to best meet the needs of the position.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to http://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Panel Interview: Tuesday, November 17 through Thursday, November 19, 2026

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

Analyst: Sarah Huynh (10062026) (Appraiser I/II - U076/U074)

Salary:

$86,798.40 - $119,912.00 Annually