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Salary: $29.67 - $43.44 Hourly
Location : Admin Bldg, 619 Division St, Port Orchard, WA
Job Type: Full Time (40 hrs/wk)
Department: Office of the County Assessor
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 1308, 1308CD, 1308G, JVCRTS
OVERVIEW
If hired as an Appraiser Trainee, the hourly rate is $29.67 - $37.96
If hired as a Residential Appraiser, the hourly rate is $33.96 - $43.44
Kitsap County is seeking a knowledgeable and highly motivated Residential Appraiserto perform professional appraisal work that directly supports equitable, accurate, and defensible property taxation across the community. Working with relative independence and under the direction of an assigned supervisor, this position combines market analysis, property research, field assessment, and professional judgment to determine fair and supportable values for residential real property.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an appraisal professional looking to deepen their expertise in mass appraisal, real property valuation, and public-sector assessmentwhile serving the residents and taxpayers of Kitsap County. The role offers meaningful professional responsibility and exposure to Washington State property-tax law and appraisal standards. Your work will have a direct impact on the integrity and fairness of the County's property assessment system.
As the Residential Appraiser, you will:

• Conduct a complete analysis of properties, within specific timelines, located in a specific area of responsibility based on sales and cost approach methods of appraisal
• Analyze real estate market, review building plans, quality, condition, zoning, views, and all other characteristics of property in accordance with IAAO guidelines, Washington State Law, and Assessor policies & procedures.
• Evaluate appraisal data and exercise independent professional judgment to make timely, consistent, and supportable mass appraisal decisions.
• Research and interpret legal descriptions, assessor maps, property records, photographs, building plans, specifications, and other documentation necessary to complete accurate property analyses.
• Prepare and present the Assessor's responses in defense of the valuation to the Board of Equalization and Washington State Board of Tax Appeals.
• Respond to routine inquiries by the public, other departments, and outside real estate professionals regarding judgement, valuation, and property characteristics.
• Interact professionally with taxpayers, real estate professionals, County employees, and other members of the public, including during potentially stressful or contentious valuation discussions.

Note: This position may be underfilled as an Appraiser Trainee, depending on qualifications.
What you bring:
Appraiser Trainee:

• One year experience in real estate, surveying, engineering, construction, customer service, data analysis or related field.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License: Required upon hire to support field-based property appraisal responsibilities.
• Within one year of appointment the successful candidate must pass the State of Washington Real Property Accreditation examination.
• Within one year of appointment the successful candidate must pass IAAO Course 101 - Fundamentals of Real Property Appraisal or equivalent.

Residential Appraiser:

• Washington State accreditation for real property appraisal, in accordance with RCW 36.21.015
• Valid Washington State Driver's License: Required upon hire to support field-based property appraisal responsibilities.

• IAAO Course 101 - Fundamentals of Real Property Appraisal or equivalent: Provides the foundational appraisal knowledge necessary for residential valuation assignments (Required)
• IAAO Course 300 - Fundamentals of Mass Appraisal or equivalent: Demonstrates additional preparation in mass appraisal methodology (Preferred)

Position-Specific Experience That is Desirable, But Not Required

• Residential property appraisal: Demonstrated ability to apply appraisal principles and techniques using sales and cost approaches to arrive at equitable, accurate, and defensible assessed values.
• Construction knowledge: Skill in reading and understanding building plans, specifications, blueprints, construction characteristics, quality, and condition.
• Property research: Ability to interpret legal descriptions, assessor maps, property records, zoning information, and other data relevant to valuation.
• Technology proficiency: Ability to use CAMA systems and adapt computer technology to support appraisal assignments, including databases, spreadsheets, document imaging, word processing, and web-based systems.
• Microsoft Office: Experience with Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel, is preferred.

For the complete job description:
For more information about the department:
OTHER POSITION RELATED INFORMATION

• Who May Apply: This position is open to the general public. Applications will be screened for qualifications and completion of all the required materials and forms. The most competitive applicants may be contacted for further steps in the selection process, which may include testing for office and computer skills.
• This position is classified as eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME 1308. Internal applicants should be aware that a change in union status or bargaining unit may impact your benefits and accruals. Please contact Human Resources if you have questions. Employees joining the union will be required to pay union dues through payroll deduction.

Application Requirements
All applicants, internal and external, must submit a complete and fully detailed application. Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all minimum qualifications for the position by the posted closing date. The County uses the information provided in the application (not the résumé) to verify relevant work experience and to determine placement on the pay scale if you are selected for the position.
To be considered, your application must:

• Be fully completed, including all supplemental questions. Provide specific and detailed information showing that you have performed the duties and gained the experience required for the role. Include the total years of relevant experience, quantified based on full-time equivalency. Applications that are incomplete, lack sufficient detail, or do not clearly demonstrate that the applicant meets all minimum qualifications will be screened out and will not move forward in the hiring process. Meeting the minimum qualifications is required.

Prior to employment, the successful candidate must:

• Submit official transcripts from an accredited college or university or business school, if education is being used to meet the minimum qualifications.
• Pass all job-related examinations/tests necessary to demonstrate required knowledge, skills and abilities, as determined by the hiring authority at time of job posting.
• Authorize and complete a criminal background check. Information received is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove a candidate from consideration. This process is conducted in compliance with the Washington Fair Chance Act (RCW 49.94). Information received is evaluated on a case-by-case basis and will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration.
• Criminal Conviction Standards:
  • The successful incumbent will or may have unsupervised access to children under 18 years of age, a vulnerable adult, or a vulnerable person, or access to a secured/confidential facility or computer system(s). As a result, Kitsap County will be conducting an extensive criminal background check by law enforcement agencies, which may include fingerprinting.

Driving Requirements
The successful incumbent must meet the driving requirements of this position and submit a copy a current driving record/abstract (from state of residency) to review for eligibility to drive for Kitsap County prior to employment. The successful incumbent must obtain a valid Washington State Driver's License prior to hire and maintain a satisfactory driving record as outlined in the Kitsap County Vehicle Use Policy. This position is categorized as:
Category 1: Driver operates a County owned vehicle as an essential function for official County business.

• Kitsap County is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact our Human Resources Office.
• This recruitment is being used to fill an existing open position, and may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.
• Work hours for this position are Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the application materials submitted. Per RCW 42.56.250, all applications for public employment, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an applicant are exempt from public inspection.

At Kitsap County, we strive to take care of our team! Our employees are the greatest asset of Kitsap County, and we take pride in offering a highly competitive compensation and benefits package to all eligible employees.
County Paid Benefits Include:
Medical - Kaiser Permanente (HMO) or Aetna (PPO)
Dental - Delta Dental or Willamette
Vision - VSP
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Life Insurance - Basic, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), Voluntary Term Life Insurance (VTL)
MetLife Long Term Disability
Voya Voluntary Insurance
Transportation incentives
Employee Assistance Program
Travel Assistance Program
Wellness program
Benefits become effective on the first calendar day of the month following the month in which the employee is hired except if the employee's hire date is the first calendar day of the month, benefits begin on the day of hire. More information about employee benefits is available on the county's website at: or the .
*Voluntary benefit options also available at the employee's expense
Retirement:
Employees are covered under the PERS retirement plan provided through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and Social Security.
Deferred Compensation (IRS Plan 457b): tax-deferred savings program
Holidays
11 paid holidays and 2 additional floating holiday per year, 1 additional floating holiday after 10 years of service.
Vacation Leave
New employees are credited with 48 hours of annual leave upon hire and will be begin accruing at the rate of 8 hours per month starting on their 7th month of employment. Employees may carry over 360 hours from one calendar year to the next. Annual leave accrual will increase upon tenure, as follows:
Upon completion of 2 years: 15 days per year (10.00 hours per month)
Upon completion of 5 years: 20 days per year (13.33 hours per month)
Upon completion of 10 years: 25 days per year (16.67 hours per month)
Sick Leave
All new hires will be credited with 48 hours of sick leave upon hire and will begin accruing at the rate of 8 hours per month starting on their 7th month of employment. Employees may carry over 1200 hours from one calendar year to the next.
***Part-time employees benefit contributions and leave accruals will be prorated***
Additional compensation that you may be eligible for:
Shift differential
Overtime
Stand by pay
Call-back pay
Current County Employees
If you are transferring or promoting into this position you are responsible for reviewing these benefit changes; prior to accepting a position. In addition, it is your responsibility to notify the Auditor's Payroll Division of a change in union status.
Union Membership
This position is covered under AFSCME Local 1308 Courthouse Employees collective bargaining agreement. To view the bargaining agreement please visit our website: https://www.kitsapgov.com/hr/Pages/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements.aspx
Student Loan Forgiveness Opportunities for Kitsap County Employees
Washington State offers several programs that may help eligible employees reduce or even eliminate their student loan debt.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) -
Employees working full-time for a public employer may qualify for federal loan forgiveness after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. PSLF allows you to check your eligibility, track your progress, and apply directly through the official PSLF portal.
Washington Health Corps (WHC) -
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