Los Angeles County Appraiser Trainee Program 2014

[TimNourishment]

Apparently they will be making selections soon. Does anyone have experience with the program? Experience applying?

Has anyone gone to an interview? What was it like? Has anyone been selected yet?

Any experiences with the application, interview, and selection process would be appreciated.

 

[ThePinkNinja]

Trainee Applicant

Hi Tim,

I just went through the tough process and am near the finish line for it. I applied back in April and got a notice for testing about a month later. The test itself can be difficult if you don't pay attention to the wording of some questions. In my test group of about 150-250, only about 6 of us had passed. When you pass, you are automatically provided a slip for your 1st interview.

During the 1st interview, they ask you basic questions from a list and try to gauge your response to each question. I guess I was deemed worthy and I received a callback a couple weeks later for a 2nd interview. During the interim, I received a letter showing my band placement (barely made Band 1 luckily).

For the 2nd interview, it is somewhat like the 1st, but you are met with Chief Appraisers which are one of the higher levels. Mine had 25+ years of experience each and were very friendly. This part felt more like an informational session where they tell you the dirty low down of things you are expected to do and whether you'd be able to deal with it. For example, are you open to driving a lot, going to places you wouldn't normally want to go, waiting for promotions as they won't always be readily available, etc.

I interviewed last Thursday and received a call stating I was selected this Monday. LiveScan fingerprint testing is for next week and what comes after that, I do not know.

 

[TimNourishment]

Hi Pink Ninja,

Thanks for your response. I found out that they are hiring about 30 appraisers. Do you know what the attrition rate is for the position? Perhaps more specifically, do they have room for 30 new hires? Or are they assuming that some will fall through the cracks (don't pass background checks, fail exams).

Congrats on your offer, btw!

- Tim

 

[CANative]

Was this all at the Kenneth Hahn building downtown?

They have a great cafe in the basement (where the assessor staff is and where hearings are conducted.) Pretty decent food, great breakfast service.

I think a lot (maybe 30%) is weighted on customer service aptitude and ability to make good decisions.

 

[TimNourishment]

Was this all at the Kenneth Hahn building downtown?

They have a great cafe in the basement (where the assessor staff is and where hearings are conducted.) Pretty decent food, great breakfast service.

I think a lot (maybe 30%) is weighted on customer service aptitude and ability to make good decisions.

Yes, the testing and interviews were all done out of the Hall of Administration.

 

[ThePinkNinja]

Hey Tim,

Thanks! To answer your question, I don't know. From what they told me, there were ~3000 applicants of which they will select 30 to train. The training testing is rigorous and if you don't pass the state certification exam on the first try, you're out. From what I've heard from someone I know that did not pass, it doesn't seem to be a bluff.

They've already weeded out a good portion of people who passed the exam but were not graduates yet or did not meet the qualifications in other ways. The livescan process is when they ask for your official sealed transcripts to verify you are fully qualified as per their requirements. I suppose this is the final step. Once they have gone through background checks and verification, there should be 30 or so trainees in the pool for the training class that begins September 8.


CANative, yep. I got that feeling during the interviews as there was a large focus on how we would deal with certain situations involving the public. For example, How would you react if the property owner is not providing all necessary documentation or is acting very aggressive against you? Provide examples of some ways you've handled disgruntled customers. Why should we choose you out of the 299 other applicants who passed the test?

 

[CANative]

Of all the government agencies I think the assessors offices in California treat their role as public servants most seriously. And the LA County Assessors Office is still reeling from the scandal involving the assessor a couple of years ago (manipulating Prop 8 reductions in return for campaign contributions.) So they really changed a lot of procedures and tightened things up.

I've been to dozens and dozens of public property tax appeal hearings. You sit in a courtroom environment while people or tax agents present their cases to the Assessment Appeals Board members and the assessors representatives present their cases. Sometimes it's really sad or embarrassing (or funny) to hear the tax payer struggling to get a reduction with ridiculous "evidence."

But what's amazing is how respectful and courteous the assessors reps and board members remain.

People get very emotional about their property taxes and to "civilians" it's enormously complicated. Remaining cool, calm, and professional is a high priority with the assessor.

Good luck to you. I've talked to literally hundreds of assessor appraisers and almost all are very happy in their work.

 

[TimNourishment]

Hey Tim,

Thanks! To answer your question, I don't know. From what they told me, there were ~3000 applicants of which they will select 30 to train. The training testing is rigorous and if you don't pass the state certification exam on the first try, you're out. From what I've heard from someone I know that did not pass, it doesn't seem to be a bluff.

They've already weeded out a good portion of people who passed the exam but were not graduates yet or did not meet the qualifications in other ways. The livescan process is when they ask for your official sealed transcripts to verify you are fully qualified as per their requirements. I suppose this is the final step. Once they have gone through background checks and verification, there should be 30 or so trainees in the pool for the training class that begins September 8.


CANative, yep. I got that feeling during the interviews as there was a large focus on how we would deal with certain situations involving the public. For example, How would you react if the property owner is not providing all necessary documentation or is acting very aggressive against you? Provide examples of some ways you've handled disgruntled customers. Why should we choose you out of the 299 other applicants who passed the test?

Ouch! It would seem like a waste of time and resources (a year's salary and benefits) to let a trainee go if he or she didn't pass the exam on the first try.

 

[ThePinkNinja]

Thanks CANative. I was afraid I wouldn't be happy in this job, but knowing that puts me a little more at ease. I almost didn't take the job out of that fear, but luckily my cooler logical side prevailed. I must admit, I am getting more and more excited. I'm still a newbie, but perhaps I'll be able to chronicle my experiences so others may have an idea when it is their turn.

 

[ThePinkNinja]

I agree Tim! I've yet to learn more. I heard something like if you sign up, you must work at least a certain time otherwise they bill you for the investment they made in certifying you.