Salary : $81,313.44 - $98,213.44 Annually
Location : San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25-C51-B
Department: Assessor
Division: Real Property
Opening Date: 07/10/2025
Closing Date: 7/23/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 01

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.
The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED for your application and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to evaluate against the employment standards. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. Please include the name of employer, job title, dates of employment and number of hours worked per week for questions asking about your experience. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Vague, incomplete or non-responsive answers could result in no or low scores in a competitive rating process. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• None
• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 29 semester units / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

03

Within the last ten years, how many years have you worked as 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? If you select an answer other than "none" be sure to indicate your experience on your application.

• None
• One year
• Two years
• Three years
• Four years
• Five or more years

04

Describe your experience working as an accountant, auditor, real property appraiser, building cost estimator, engineer, real estate loan agent, real estate loan underwriter, right-of-way agent, or licensed building contractor. Include your employer's name, your job title, your job duties, your dates of employment and number of hours worked per week. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.
05

Within the last ten years, how many years have you worked as an appraiser aide or appraiser trainee in an assessor's office or in the property taxes department of the Board?

• None
• One year
• Two years
• Three years
• Four years
• Five or more years

06

Describe your experience working as an appraiser aide or appraiser trainee in an assessor's office or in the property taxes department of the Board. Include your employer's name, your job title, your job duties, your dates of employment and number of hours worked per week. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.
07

Within the last ten years, how many years have you worked as a real estate licensee, licensed by the California Department of Real Estate, engaged in buying, selling, leasing, or managing real estate? If you select an answer other than "none" be sure to indicate your experience on your application.

• None
• One year
• Two years
• Three years
• Four years
• Five or more years

08

Describe your experience working as a real estate licensee, licensed by the California Department of Real Estate, engaged in buying, selling, leasing, or managing real estate. Include your employer's name, your job title, your job duties, your dates of employment and number of hours worked per week. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.
09

I understand that if I do not successfully complete the one-year training program and pass the certification examination administered by the State of California, I must vacate the position.

• Yes
• No

10

How did you find out about this job?

• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Virtual Job Fair
• In Person Job Fair
• In-Person Networking Professional Event
• Virtual Networking Event
• Community Event
• Glassdoor
• Governmentjobs.com
• Professional Association
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Hospital Website: SCVMC, O'Connor Hospital, St. Louise Regional Hospital Website
• Contacted by a Recruitment Firm
• Handshake
• Student Career Center
• County Text Message
• County Career Newsletter
• Other (Specify in the next question)
• County Employee Referral
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Indeed

11

I understand that the Santa Clara County Assessor's Office requires in-office work for all employees, telecommuting is not offered. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

Required Question