This involves measuring and listing the building use and characteristics, reviewing sales and other market data, and determining the market value of the property. It involves knowing the real estate market, state laws, and construction. On any given day, I will be answering questions from the public, checking properties, or preparing appraisals. In addition, I am an instructor for the International Association of Assessing Officers and am writing a course for the Michigan Assessors Association. This job is not what I expected to be doing, and all of my training occurred after I started.
Public relations are a vital part of the job.
One thing I have noted is that many of the younger people that I come into contact with have a good understanding of the profession they are in, but do not have a clue as to what is going on in the world in general. As a result, they ask for things we cannot do and do not understand when we say no. It is likely that this extends to other facets of work also. Along these same lines, the students should be exposed to a broader range of life in their education. There is value in knowing that Beethoven is not just a St. Bernard in the movies.