Appraiser Requirements and Duties
September 2001
The most important requirement of the assessor is to be well prepared for the job of assessing. Each assessor has a duty and obligation to the public as well as to their profession to establish equitable market values and to administer proper tax classifications. Property owners demand that assessors be knowledgeable and competent because they are dependent on them to be both fair and thorough in carrying out these responsibilities.
Who does the assessment work?
Local assessors and county staff appraisers under the direction and supervision of the county assessor complete the assessment of all properties within Stearns County. They have several years of experience in discovering, listing, valuing, classifying, monitoring, and defending assessments made on all real and personal property. They also have a good working knowledge of the county and are familiar with its many markets.
Is an assessor required to have a license to do the assessment work?
All assessors employed in Minnesota are required to hold one of four levels of licensure (CMA-Certified Minnesota Assessor, the minimum level; CMAS-Certified Minnesota Assessor Specialist, the second level; AMA-Accredited Minnesota Assessor, the third level; and SAMA-Senior Accredited Minnesota Assessor, the highest level) issued by the State Board of Assessors. The complexity of area taxing districts and the total market valuation in several classes of property determine which licensure level is required. The authority to value income-producing properties is also restricted by law to only licensed assessors who have successfully completed at least two income classes. Extensive course work, written exams, oral exams, and/or the presentation of form or narrative appraisals along with required years of experience in the field must be satisfactorily accomplished by these individuals seeking licensure. Additionally, assessors must satisfy the established requirements for continuing education every four years to maintain their current licenses.
What are the minimum requirements to be a staff appraiser for Stearns County?
Stearns County has set high standards for people seeking employment as a staff appraiser. It has been determined that an applicant must be a high school graduate with two years post high school training in a related field or have four years of real and personal property appraisal experience for tax purposes or possess any combination of post high school education and experience totaling four years in which two years of experience equals one year of education. The applicant must also possess a valid Minnesota driver’s license, have an automobile for county related business, and be a Certified Minnesota Assessor. Several additional factors related to experience working with the general public; appraising agricultural, residential, seasonal, personal, and exempt properties; and using computers having a variety of software applications are given consideration.
What are some of the duties performed by a staff appraiser?
A staff appraiser assesses assigned agricultural, residential, seasonal, personal (mobile homes and travel trailers), and exempt properties to establish market values and determine tax classifications; conducts outdoor field inspections; establishes and maintains land and building valuation methods through computer aided mass appraisal applications; reviews complaints related to the assessment; processes land divisions, plats, and certificates of real estate value; verifies real estate sales; assists in the preparation of surveys, studies, reports, and appraisals; provides the public with assessment data; assists in monitoring assessments levels and the work of local assessors; represents the county at local and county boards of review; and assists in tax court preparation and presents testimony.