Property Appraisal Specialist

Allegan County has much to offer, with 24 Townships, 9 Cities, and 2 Villages across nearly 900 square miles. The landscapes range from the lakeshore to beautifully wooded lands, our County’s natural resources are a gift to be treasured. Allegan County businesses, citizens, and employees are world-class, and we remain a welcoming, closely-knit community. We are one of the fastest-growing counties in Michigan.
Allegan County Government places high importance on our core values: Respect, Integrity, Commitment and Honesty. A common thread among our leadership, employees and volunteers is a strong desire to serve and be part of something meaningful. We have been recognized by Gallagher as “Best in Class Winner” among mid-size companies for our excellence in optimizing employee and organizational well-being for three years in a row (2023-2025). We have also received the “Impact Award” from M.E.R.S. for excellence in educating our employees about their retirement plans and overall financial wellness. We are looking for dedicated, caring, energetic people to join our team!

Summary: 

This position conducts studies of all classifications of real property to determine its true cash value and determines an equalization factor for each taxing unit in the county. Gathers and compiles data for sales studies, economic condition factor studies, and other reports to assist in making equitable reports in each class of property, in each local unit. Assists the public and local unit officials with information on tax laws, property descriptions, assessing procedures and related matters.

Starting Wage Range: $28.54 per hour to start, full-time 

Excellent Benefits Plan:  Health benefits begin on the first of the month after your hire date
- Medical, Dental & Vision (3 medical plans to choose from, 2 of which have a $0 premium)
- County-funded Health Savings Account with our two high-deductible medical plans
- County-paid employee life insurance coverage
- County-paid short-term disability coverage, up to 52 weeks
- Generous retirement plan, including a county contribution of 7% of your annual earnings
- Tuition Reimbursement Program for college degree courses
- Generous PTO plan, including front-loaded hours into PTO bank at hire, and annually on January 1.
- 13 paid holidays, in addition to PTO
- FREE use of Allegan County government's two fitness centers 

Essential Duties: 

1. Prepares property records for on-site inspections of sold properties and properties selected for appraisal including residential, agricultural, industrial, commercial, and developmental properties.

2. Appraises residential, agricultural, industrial, commercial, and developmental properties using State Tax Commission approved techniques and standards of value to determine the estimated property value.

3. Analyzes property sales by city, township, and village to establish market value for all classes of real property. Works with local assessors to identify representative sales data.

4. Conducts field inspections of property and interviews sellers and purchasers to verify date of sale, sale price, substantiate accuracy of property descriptions, and to obtain details such as condition of structures, property improvements, and land use.

5. Measures structures and parcels of land, draws up property sketches, determines soil categories, field content and usage, prepares sketches of floor plans and building layouts, calculates acreage and the square and cubic footage of building and other structures.

6. Completes property records cards with site sketch, building sketch, and property attributes including picture entry. Property Appraisal Specialist 6/25/2019 Page 2 of 3

7. Conducts studies to determine values by auditing public and private records of sales, leases, and related information. Keeps abreast of appraisal practices, real estate market trends, recent court rulings, proposed legislation, economic conditions, and tax commission rules and bulletins.

8. Analyzes property sales by area to establish market value for all classes of real property. Conducts the Economic Condition Factor studies used to adjust the state’s pricing manual to current local market value. Produce completed assessment ration analysis by class and unit and discussed the results with local assessors.

9. Audits assessment work rolls in compliance with State Tax Commission guidelines and contacts local assessors to resolve problems. Assist in balancing assessment rolls and compiles and produces state required reports for the local units in the county which are used for the equalization report.

10.Compiles a report for each classification of property in each local unit in the county. Assists the director in compiling other reports required by the state.

11.Assists local assessors with the more complex appraisals when requested and provides them with information on changes in assessment procedures and lax laws. Assist taxpayers, real estate personnel, and others with interpreting maps and property descriptions, explaining the assessment process, and providing other information related to departmental activities.

Education and Experience:

• High School Graduation or equivalent (G.E.D.).
• Up to one (1) year of specialized or technical training beyond high school in GIS mapping or property appraising.
• Two (2) years of experience in appraisal of all classes of real property providing knowledge of appraisal principles, tax laws, data processing, property descriptions, and other aspects of appraisals.
• MCAO certification from the State Tax Commission within 2 years of hire
• Valid Michigan Driver’s license.

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