Occupational Profile

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Property Assessor

Property assessors determine the value of land, buildings, businesses, structures and certain types of machinery and equipment for property tax purposes.

Avg. Salary $76,660.00
Avg. Wage $40.72
Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary
Outlook N/A

Also Known As

Appraiser, Land Assessor, Assessor

NOC & Interest Codes

The Property Assessor is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Assessors NOC 1235.1

Assessors

NOC code: 1235.1

METHODICAL: Interest in analyzing data such as past sales, title searches, engineering and alignment maps, soil maps, subdivision plans, water and sewer plans, location costs and easements
directive: Interest in advising people on the value of land, buildings, structures, machinery, equipment and property improvements for purposes of sale, purchase, taxation and disposal of assets
social: Interest in speaking with ratepayers to explain assessment process

Reading Interest Codes

A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn More

Duties

Updated Mar 09, 2016

In general, property assessors:

inspect properties of all types including single family residences, apartment buildings, shopping centres, recreational facilities, hotels, office buildings, farm land, petroleum and other industrial sites and facilities
collect and analyze information (including statistical data) relating to the value of property or businesses (for example, information about sales or rental income, construction methods and costs, market conditions)
determine market value assessments by applying appraisal and assessment techniques and principles in accordance with applicable legislation
maintain the municipal assessment roll
explain assessed values to property owners and defend them at Assessment Review Board and Municipal Government Board hearings.

Property assessors must understand and keep current with legislation, regulations, Minister's guidelines and bylaws regarding property assessment and taxation.

Working Conditions

Updated Mar 09, 2016

Property assessors work in offices and in the field, and may be required to travel extensively in rural areas. Occasionally, they work long and irregular hours to meet deadlines and attend meetings.

Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Skills & Abilities

Updated Mar 09, 2016

Property assessors need the following characteristics:

mature judgment
initiative and motivation
excellent oral and written communication skills
the ability to get along well with a variety of people
the ability to do detailed work
the ability to make decisions and accept responsibility for them
the ability to handle stress.

They should enjoy analyzing data, taking a methodical approach to their work, making decisions and working with people.

Educational Requirements

Updated Mar 09, 2016

Property assessor trainees acquire the necessary experience, knowledge and skills through a combination of formal education and field experience under the supervision of an experienced assessor. One of the following post-secondary diploma programs is required as core education toward the Alberta Assessors Association (AAA) designation.

Lakeland College in Lloydminster and Vermilion offers a Business Administration diploma program with a major in Appraisal and Assessment. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma with a Grade 12 English and Applied or Pure Math 30, or equivalent. Graduates will also receive a Certificate in Real Property Assessment from the University of British Columbia.
The University of British Columbia offers an 11 course Urban Land Economics diploma program with a specialization in Assessment through distance education. This program is designed for people already employed in the real estate industry and people highly motivated to join the industry.

AAA accreditation also requires four years of assessment experience, a demonstration assessment report and oral interview, and references.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Lakeland College

Business Administration - Real Estate Appraisal and Assessment

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

Certification Requirements

Updated Mar 09, 2016

Municipal Assessor

Municipal Assessor

Municipal assessors determine the value of land, buildings, businesses, structures and certain types of equipment for property tax purposes.

Legislation

Accredited Municipal Assessor of Alberta is a protected title under Alberta's Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act. This means that to call yourself an Accredited Municipal Assessor of Alberta, you must be a registered member of the Alberta Assessors' Association (AAA). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself an Accredited Municipal Assessor of Alberta.

Education

Registration as an Accredited Municipal Assessor of Alberta requires: (1) the applicant to be legally authorized to work in Canada, (2) a diploma or degree in assessment from an approved post-secondary educational institution, or equivalent, (3) at least one year as a Candidate member of AAA, (4) at least four years of assessment experience, or equivalent, (5) an acceptable demonstration assessment report and oral interview, and (6) acceptable references. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit the AAA website or contact the AAA.

Working in Alberta

Municipal assessors who are certified by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for certification in Alberta if certified assessors in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see "What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).

Contact Details

Alberta Assessors' Association
10555 - 172 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5S 1P1
Phone number: 780-483-4222
Fax number: 780-487-7505
Website: www.assessor.ab.ca

Employment & Advancement

Updated Mar 09, 2016

In Alberta, municipalities are the primary employers and contractors of assessment services. Small towns and municipalities often use the assessment services of private companies. Larger municipal districts, counties and metropolitan centres may have their own assessment staff.

Property assessors also may be employed by Alberta Municipal Affairs, become company tax representatives or move into related appraisal fields.

Assessors are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1314: Assessors, Valuators and Appraisers. In Alberta, 76% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
location in Alberta
employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary

Updated Mar 09, 2016

Many property assessors work on a contract basis so their earnings may vary considerably.

Property assessors are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1314: Assessors, valuators and appraisers.

According to the 2015 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Assessors, valuators and appraisers occupational group earned on average from $31.48 to $46.36 an hour. The overall average wage was $40.72 an hour. For more information, see the Assessors, valuators and appraisers wage profile.

Related High School Subjects

Mathematics