Working for the County Assessor

[Pete Humphrey]

Anyone out there in CA (besides Beth) ever work for the county assessor's office as an appraiser? I'm considering applying. I'm burning out on the ups and mostly downs of this business and would like to have a steady job without having to work nights and weekends. Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks! Melis

 

[TEL2002]

I've never worked for a local or county gov't. But since each office is independent of all other counties, I would assume that work conditions, boss's phiosophies, etc. are purely local. They probably have fairly decent benefits. I would say go for it. In fact try applying to all of your surrounding counties.

 

[Elliott]

Great place to get experience, upgrade your education
if possible, write your demo (surely I jest).

Downside, its gov't work. You have to ask yourself
how long you want to work there, accept the benefits,
accept the security v. freedom and satisfaction of
being a real independent fee appraiser. For me it
was the most boring 8 years of life.

 

[Margaret Treat]

Government Work

Hello Melissa,
I have not worked for the assessors office but I spent many years working for city and county government. Here are some thoughts:

1) Do what the first person said and apply for every job that opens. The process for applying and interviewing (especially panel style interviews) for government jobs is much different than private sector. This way when you really want a job your app/interviewing skills will be more competitive.

2) The hours are regular but so is the money. Most government employees live a stable life in modest homes but have stable income, benefits and retirement. Not a lot of big extravagances but stable.

3) There are government employees that have figured out they get paid by the hour. You know how when you deal with government, planning, police, etc. there are some that go the extra mile and you sometimes get stuck with the one that doesn't? When your the one that goes the extra mile people seek you out and you will be overwhelmingly busy while the person next to you is blogging. In most government jobs the bloggers will be there forever and add to the demands of the office. Nothing life altering but with the stability comes some frustration.

That's it, good luck with your decision! Margaret

 

[OSU Beavers]

I put in a year at a county planning department nearly six years with a county assessors office. I topped out on salary and got vested in the Public Employees Retirement System so there was no reason to stick around after that.

Promotions were based on church or familial affiliation instead of education or merit. It was the "Peter Principal" where Billybob's idiot cousin got to be your boss because he was too stupid to do the work you were doing and they figured he would do less damage as a supervisor. Documenting every friggin hour was a royal pain. And don't expect any backup if you get into a scrap with the public. Pay was low and dental cost extra. It did not matter that you did twice as much work as everyone else, you still got the same pay.

On the plus side I got to see the entire county in the six year assessment cycle. Going down all of those back roads in the county car was a plus. Back then we did full interior inspections so I got to go in or around about thousands of the houses, especially new construction. I did all of the set up studies including land curves and manufactured home quality classing. Continuing education was on the county dime so I was able to take different classes such as farm & ranch appraisal plus Marshal & Swift Commercial estimator.

Since no one else wanted to confront the public, I took on most of the tax assessment appeals. Back then taxes were directly tied to assessed value so each case was worth hundreds of dollars. I got to review hundreds of fee appraisal reports that were brought in a evidence. We had two low ball fee appraisers and a few from fillers who just stamped in 125% of the loan amount no matter what the property was worth. Reading all of those bad and good appraisals really helped me in writing my own fee reports.

I was thinking of going back when I hit 55 in order to pump up my retirement, but the state did away with PERS so I guess not. My money will just sit there earning 8% a year until I can “retire” at 58.5.

 

[Charley Horse]

If the opportunity presented itself, I'd take it in a heartbeat... medical insurance, benefits, pension... those bennies are eroding in the private sector... plus who knows what the future holds for residential fee appraisers... at least it may be a good place to "stage" your career until some of these uncertainties are resolved...

Good luck whatever you decide

 

[Anthem]

The assessors office appraisers that I came in contact with while living in California made around $60 K per year and had fridays off. They were allowed to do side work on their days off.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

made around $60 K per year

In Arkansas, I don't think the Assessor himself makes that....very low paying jobs usually....and you get what you pay for.

It is a good place to get some skills but keep in mind, at least in Arkansas, you will have to unlearn a lot. I watched some really bad appraising go on over there and it is county by county issue. If you don't mind a little travel you might consider a Mass appraiser who is independent and hires out to the various assessors.

 

[CCAAMO]

The assessors office appraisers that I came in contact with while living in California made around $60 K per year and had fridays off. They were allowed to do side work on their days off.

That sound high. I think a starting salary is around $4,500 per month.

 

[Restrain]

Add about $12K for health, vacation, holidays, etc. So, even at $4500 per month, you're up to a competing salary above $60K. Also, you're not paying half your social security and building up retirement.

Not bad considering the current economy