Appraiser

Livingston County was named a 2025 Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press! Based solely on employee feedback, the Top Workplace title is a badge of honor for the County. With over 700 employees serving within 18 departments, 6 elected offices, and 3 Courts, Livingston County's top priority is providing effective and efficient services that improve the quality of life for all of our residents.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Equalization Director, the Appraiser is responsible for appraising and determining the value of residential, personal and agricultural properties. Performs field assessment of properties and assists in the development and compilation of data for tax appraisal. Performs other duties pertaining to data management and customer service.

Benefits:

• Retirement plan includes a 401a with up to 8% employer contribution
• Comprehensive Medical, Pharmacy, Dental & Vision
• Optional HSA with an employer match
• Optional Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan
• Short-term & Long-term disability & Basic Life & AD&D insurance
• Health & Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid vacation, sick days & 13 holidays. Unused vacation and sick time rolls over
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Up to $500 annual Wellness reimbursement* & $100 incentive for completing your annual physical & Health Assessment.
• Voluntary benefits such as Pet Insurance, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital & Whole Life policies
• Employee assistance program

*Pro-rated based on DOH

Pay Rate Information:

The Appraiser is a non-union position and starting pay is $28.91/ hour. This position is eligible for step pay increases within our Non-Union Grade 7 Wage Scale. Top end of the current wage scale for this position is $36.63/ hour.

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

1. Appraises real estate and personal property for tax purposes, including the appraisals of residential, personal, and agricultural properties. Determines assessed value, capped value, and taxable value for residential, personal, and agricultural properties.
2. Analyzes data, values property, prepares findings and defends valuations.
3. Conducts field inspections to verify sales and/or measure residential, personal, and agriculture sites, structures, and property, and prepares valuation appraisals.
4. Verifies the accuracy of property descriptions, details on condition of structures, property improvements, and land use.
5. Performs research on residential sales in the County to establish market value and to assist with developing department reports.
6. Assists local assessors with the residential and agricultural appraisal process and interpreting operating manuals, procedures, maps, diagrams, and blueprints.
7. Responds to citizen and professional appraiser questions and concerns regarding the valuation of property.
8. Makes corrections and adjustments to the personal property assessment roll for omitted or incorrectly reported personal property per State Tax Commission guidelines.
9. Analyzes the assessment roll to ensure all tax laws are applied.
10. Keeps abreast of legislative and regulatory development, and current issues through continued education and professional growth. Attends conferences, workshops, and seminars as appropriate.
11. Allocates department expenses, purchase orders, and contracts in county Munis financial software.
12. Assisting with the development and review of property sales study reports and mandatory equalization report forms.
13. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

Requirements include the following:

• High school diploma or GED supplemented by additional college-level education in property appraisal techniques and three years of progressively more responsible experience as an appraiser.
• The County, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of formal education and work experience.
• Michigan Certified Assessing Officer and Personal Property Examiner Certificate.
• Michigan Vehicle Operator's License.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of appraising and valuing property.
• Considerable knowledge of conducting property appraisals, assessing property market value, reading legal documents, maps, and property descriptions, maintaining accurate records, State Tax Commission policies and procedures, and applying local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to read and sketch legal descriptions.
• Skill in assembling and analyzing data and preparing accurate reports.
• Skill in effectively communicating ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with County employees, contractors to the County, representatives of other governmental units, professional contacts, elected officials, and the public.
• Ability to assess situations, solve problems, work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and in emergency situations.
• Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications and software programs and applications utilized by the Assessing Department.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works both in an office and in the field. While in the office, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, view, and produce written and electronic documents and enter data on a computer keyboard with repetitive keystrokes. The employee must be mobile both in an office setting and in the field with the ability to stand, sit, stoop, and kneel, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must lift or push/pull objects of up to 25 lbs. without assistance. Accommodation will be made, as needed, for employees required to lift or move objects that exceed this weight.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works both indoors and outdoors and regularly travels between work sites using a motor vehicle. The noise level in the work environment varies from quiet to loud.