Property Transfer Assistant

Salary: $19.30 - $24.76 Hourly
Location : Eureka, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-00079
Department: Assessor
Division: 113 - Assessor
Opening Date: 03/18/2024
Closing Date: 4/8/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
DEFINITION
Property Transfer Assistant
The mission of the Humboldt County Assessor's Office is to create equitable, timely, and accurate property tax assessments to fund public services in accordance with the California Constitution and the laws and regulations of the State of California and the State Board of Equalization. We are committed to integrity, mutual respect, and teamwork within our office, in conjunction with other County departments, and in our services to the public.
What You'll Do:

• Analyze recorded deeds
• Read and process change in ownership deeds
• Read property legal descriptions
• Determine transfer and/or reappraisal status
• Basic computer skills

Where You'll Do It:
Humboldt County Assessor's Office
825 5th Street, Room 300
Eureka, CA 95501
Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM with 1 hour lunch.
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, analyzes recorded deeds, Property Transfer regulations and other legal documents to determine reappraisal status; reviews Property Transfer documents and performs title searches to determine reappraisal status of real and personal property according to property tax laws; performs related work as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This class requires specialized knowledge of property tax rules and regulations, legal property descriptions and the legal instruments pertaining to Property Transfers. Incumbents exercise independence and discretion in the application of rules and procedures. This class is distinguished from Property Transfer Supervisor in that the latter is the first full supervisory level, responsible for assigning, reviewing and directing the work of a small group of Property Transfer Assistants and cadastral drafting technicians.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Searches a variety of recorded documents to determine changes in ownership, transfer of properties, boundary or breaks in the chain of title for real property within the County.
• Reconciles boundary discrepancies by survey analyses and arithmetic computation.
• Determines transfer and/or reappraisal status of properties; indicates and verifies current ownership of parcels.
• Reviews legal property descriptions to verify boundary lines of parcels.
• Provides information to the public over the counter and by telephone, regarding titles, deeds, legal descriptions and reassessment rules and provisions.
• Assigns parcel numbers; reviews legal description for new districts.
• Updates assessment maps by posting basic information; prepares maps for agricultural preserve contracts.
• Enters information on transfer of title on property records.
• Organizes own work, sets priorities and ensures that critical deadlines are met.
• Organizes and maintains various files; operates standard office equipment as required.
• Performs general office support work including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Legal instruments, including maps, related to the transfer of real property.
• Practices and terminology related to real property records and mapping.
• Basic ordinances and regulations pertaining to real property tax assessment.
• Basic drafting equipment and techniques.
• Records management practices and procedures, including indexing and cross-referencing.
• Correct English usage, including grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Business arithmetic, including percentages.
• Office practices and procedures, including the operation of standard office equipment.

Skill in:

• Interpreting and explaining property descriptions, maps and related documents.
• Preparing, maintaining and researching a variety of detailed records.
• Posting to and modifying property maps, transfer and ownership.
• Prioritizing work, coordinating activities and meeting critical deadlines.
• Exercising initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Organizing and maintaining accurate files and records.
• Making accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work

Desirable Education and Experience:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is: Two years of office support experience which provided a knowledge of legal descriptions of real property and property maps and/or familiarity with the title transfer process.
WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EMPLOYEE PERKS
For more information about County benefits, visit our benefits webpage:
For more details about employee perks, see our Employee Perks flyer:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does it take to fill out the application?

• You should allow 30 - 45 minutes to fill out your application.

Can I change my application after submitting it?

• You may only submit one application per day.
• You may submit an edited application after waiting at least one day from your initial submission.
• Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will be archived.

How long until I hear back from you?

• You can expect to hear back from Human Resources about 3 - 4 weeks after the closing date listed on the job posting.

How can I check for updates on my application?

• You can log into your Government Jobs account and review current information regarding any application you have submitted.

Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview?

• Yes, you will be informed if you are not selected for an interview.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways - oftentimes, outside of formal institutions - and strives to take a holistic approach to in assessing an applicant's qualifications for a position.
If you're excited about this role but your past work experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applications must be submitted online through the County's automated application system at no later than the final filing date listed on the job flyer. All applications are screened by both Human Resources staff and may be screened by additional subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.
It is important that your application shows all the relevant experience and education you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments.
Please read the job requirements section of the announcement. Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process. Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible.
CalPERS RETIREMENT PROGRAM
Employees fall into one of the following tiers based on the date you first start working for the County or any other employer that uses CalPERS for retirement.

• Tier I: Up to 12/31/2012: 3% @ 50
• Tier II: Post 1/1/2013: 2.7% @ 57

If this is your first job with a CalPERS employer, you'd be in Tier III.

• 2% means that for every year you work for the County, you will receive 2% of your maximum annual pay rate for every year that you work for us (or other CalPERS employers) if you work the required minimum number of years (that's called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.
• If you work 20 years and retire at 62 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of your maximum annual pay rate every year in retirement payments.

SELECTION PROCEDURE
The County runs its hiring on a set of rules to ensure that it is fair. Hiring and promotion are based on performance and having the best qualifications for the job. "Examination" doesn't always mean taking a test, sometimes it just means how we compare your application to others who have applied, and an "oral examination" means a scored and structured interview.
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The County of Humboldt does not discriminate based on mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination to request an accommodation.
The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.
OTHER EXAMINATIONS
Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.
LICENSES
Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver's license.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY
It is the County's intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.
01
Please describe how you obtained your knowledge of Property Transfer and assessment processes.
02
Please describe how you obtained knowledge of assessor parcel maps.
03
Please describe any experience you have reading property legal descriptions.
04
Any other training, education for experience you would like to include that directly relates to this position.
Required Question