Assessor-Recorder Senior Office Specialist - Office of the Assessor-Recorder (42
City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
Assessor-Recorder Senior Office Specialist - Office of the Assessor-Recorder (4215)
This announcement has been amended to extend the application deadline. Applicants who have already applied to this recruitment do not need to re-apply. Specific information regarding this recruitment process are listed below: Appointment Type: Temporary Exempt - this position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer. The duration of the appointment shall not exceed 24 months. Application Opening: Monday, March 16, 2026 Application Deadline: 11:59 PM, Friday, April 3, 2026 Compensation Range: $86,398 - $110,240 Annually Recruitment ID: TEX-4215-164545 San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco. Our Office The Office of the Assessor-Recorder is responsible for fairly and accurately executing property assessment functions in accordance with the State Constitution and State and local laws. Our core responsibilities include identifying all taxable property in the City and County of San Francisco, establishing a taxable value, and applying all legal exemptions. Property broadly includes real property as well as personal property owned by businesses. The Office is also responsible for recording documents and securing public records. We ensure each document meets recording requirements and make them accessible to the public. We record over 400 different types of documents annually, including deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, maps, and public marriage certificates. Additionally, the Office is responsible for collecting any transfer tax due upon a change in property ownership and performing audits to ensure the correct property value basis for taxation. In all that we do we seek to advance the values of fairness, care, equity, and excellence in service to our diverse constituents and communities. What We Do Each year we prepare an assessment roll that reflects the taxable values of land, improvements, and personal property. The assessment roll is the basis for San Francisco's property tax revenue. We enroll property tax value by discovering new construction or changes in ownership. The work of our Office in enrolling property valued at approximately $352 billion generates an estimated $4.1 billion in property tax revenue for the City and County of San Francisco. Property tax revenue represents over one-third of the City's General Fund which pays for crucial services ranging from public safety, affordable housing, and education to neighborhood improvements and health and family support services. Our success is grounded by our Office's investment in our four strategic pillars: people, systems, services, and engagement. We prioritize a climate and culture where belonging and inclusion are advanced, staff can be their authentic selves and pursue pathways for career growth, and diverse constituencies are equitably supported with a meaningful and seamless experience through care in customer service and efficient technology systems. In line with these values, we are taking significant steps to modernize our operations, including leading a cross-departmental effort to replace the legacy property assessment system currently used to manage the City's hundreds of billions of dollars in assessed property value. This modernization work will provide for increased security and service as well as greater integration with other City systems utilized by the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector and the City Controller's Office. We are committed to developing an organization that works to address the pervasive and persistent inequities resulting from systemic racism in our society. This extends to our external engagements where our Office seeks to increase access to resources across multiple constituencies by hosting presentations, workshops, attending events, tabling at resource fairs, and more to ensure that all San Franciscans know what our office can do for them. Job Description
The Office of the Assessor-Recorder currently has a full-time vacancy in class 4215 Senior Office Specialist. This is the senior-level class of the Assessor-Recorder support series. Incumbents work under direction to perform the most difficult and specialized clerical and technical duties that require advanced knowledge of technical administrative policies and procedures, most of which are unique to the Assessor-Recorder's Office. Duties emphasize advanced and technical level activities pertaining to document examining, property ownership and transactions, change in ownership assessment determination recommendations, transfer tax assessment, complex exemptions, and real/personal property appraisal services. Incumbents perform assigned duties with substantial independence, applying advanced knowledge of technical assessment and recording requirements, policies and procedures to make decisions and perform assignments. Other essential duties may include, but are not limited to: Performs highly-specialized technical work and analysis requiring in-depth knowledge and a high level of independence involving review and processing of real property transactions and/or complex document recording processes within the Assessor-Recorder's Office; receives, examines, evaluates, and records deeds, reconveyances, releases of liens, judgments, marriage certificates and various legal and other documents; interprets various codes, statutes and ordinance in examining and recording a wide variety of complex documents; performs detailed and complex document examination to ensure sufficiency, completeness, jurisdiction, appropriateness for recording, and/or adherence to legal codes and state and county recording requirements; provides follow up with customers and other parties as appropriate to resolve problems; refers customers to other Office staff and/or outside agencies as required on committees and task forces. Ensures compliance with the Transfer Tax Ordinance by reviewing change of ownership transactions; requests and analyzes documentation of proof of exemption; and collects transfer taxes in real-time, in accordance with the Revenue and Taxation Code and State and local tax laws and ordinances. Searches deeds to determine real property ownership; receives and verifies records supporting property statements. Receives and collects payments for a wide range of complex service fees based on Revenue and Taxation codes as well as state and local tax laws and ordinances; issues receipts and accounts for money received by balancing records. May receive and collect payments of recordable documents; balance cash receipts and receivables; prepare balance sheets and processing forms; and post receivables and credit appropriate accounts. Provides complex technical information in person, on the phone, and via email and regular mail regarding policies and procedures pertaining to recording requirements, assessment and recording laws, regulations, policies and procedures to attorneys, government agencies and the public. Performs technical tax assessment activities by reviewing and evaluating real property transactions such as grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, affidavits of death, court orders, final decrees of distribution, leases, foreclosure sales deeds and other documents; researches property rolls to verify changes in ownership, transfer of property, boundary discrepancies and overlap or breaks in the chain of title for real property; makes recommendations regarding property transfer tax and other assessments, based on State and County laws and codes. Provides technical assistance to professional appraisers pertaining to real property appraisals; collects structural classification data in the field or in the office for residential dwellings, apartment complexes, commercial concerns and industrial firms; notes construction characteristics related to foundation, exterior, interior, plumbing, lighting and heating; determines shape classifications using perimeter and square footage calculations; takes photographs of structures. Gathers property and/or business data to determine welfare tax exemption status; gathers and tabulates data to determine appropriate exemption percentage allowable; inspects property based on application information and other data; and prepares inspection reports; explains exemption programs; eligibility requirements; evaluates program applications and determines eligibility based on well defined, pre-established criteria; responds to and researches complaints regarding determinations; works with other divisions and the Tax Collector's Office to ensure that exemption accounts are adjusted appropriately. Researches and compiles property value data; identifies comparable sales; searches deeds to determine delivered prices; provides technical support for cost analyses and/or income analyses for both real and business/personal property; receives and verifies records supporting property statements from public accountants for client firms; researches, gathers and tabulates data from financial and operating statements. Explains appraisal procedures and policies to builders, contractors, real estate brokers and the general public; serves as a technical liaison to various agents regarding appraisal processes. Maintains and updates statistical data; prepares and maintains complex statistical reports. May serve as a lead worker by directing and monitoring the work of a small group of subordinate employees and serving as a technical resource regarding the more complex work issues in the unit. May be required to provide training to entry level classifications. Operates personal computers, computer terminals and other equipment to research databases, documents and records and locate requested information; provides and/or sends copies of requested documents according to Office policies and procedures.
This announcement has been amended to extend the application deadline. Applicants who have already applied to this recruitment do not need to re-apply. Specific information regarding this recruitment process are listed below: Appointment Type: Temporary Exempt - this position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer. The duration of the appointment shall not exceed 24 months. Application Opening: Monday, March 16, 2026 Application Deadline: 11:59 PM, Friday, April 3, 2026 Compensation Range: $86,398 - $110,240 Annually Recruitment ID: TEX-4215-164545 San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco. Our Office The Office of the Assessor-Recorder is responsible for fairly and accurately executing property assessment functions in accordance with the State Constitution and State and local laws. Our core responsibilities include identifying all taxable property in the City and County of San Francisco, establishing a taxable value, and applying all legal exemptions. Property broadly includes real property as well as personal property owned by businesses. The Office is also responsible for recording documents and securing public records. We ensure each document meets recording requirements and make them accessible to the public. We record over 400 different types of documents annually, including deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, maps, and public marriage certificates. Additionally, the Office is responsible for collecting any transfer tax due upon a change in property ownership and performing audits to ensure the correct property value basis for taxation. In all that we do we seek to advance the values of fairness, care, equity, and excellence in service to our diverse constituents and communities. What We Do Each year we prepare an assessment roll that reflects the taxable values of land, improvements, and personal property. The assessment roll is the basis for San Francisco's property tax revenue. We enroll property tax value by discovering new construction or changes in ownership. The work of our Office in enrolling property valued at approximately $352 billion generates an estimated $4.1 billion in property tax revenue for the City and County of San Francisco. Property tax revenue represents over one-third of the City's General Fund which pays for crucial services ranging from public safety, affordable housing, and education to neighborhood improvements and health and family support services. Our success is grounded by our Office's investment in our four strategic pillars: people, systems, services, and engagement. We prioritize a climate and culture where belonging and inclusion are advanced, staff can be their authentic selves and pursue pathways for career growth, and diverse constituencies are equitably supported with a meaningful and seamless experience through care in customer service and efficient technology systems. In line with these values, we are taking significant steps to modernize our operations, including leading a cross-departmental effort to replace the legacy property assessment system currently used to manage the City's hundreds of billions of dollars in assessed property value. This modernization work will provide for increased security and service as well as greater integration with other City systems utilized by the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector and the City Controller's Office. We are committed to developing an organization that works to address the pervasive and persistent inequities resulting from systemic racism in our society. This extends to our external engagements where our Office seeks to increase access to resources across multiple constituencies by hosting presentations, workshops, attending events, tabling at resource fairs, and more to ensure that all San Franciscans know what our office can do for them. Job Description
The Office of the Assessor-Recorder currently has a full-time vacancy in class 4215 Senior Office Specialist. This is the senior-level class of the Assessor-Recorder support series. Incumbents work under direction to perform the most difficult and specialized clerical and technical duties that require advanced knowledge of technical administrative policies and procedures, most of which are unique to the Assessor-Recorder's Office. Duties emphasize advanced and technical level activities pertaining to document examining, property ownership and transactions, change in ownership assessment determination recommendations, transfer tax assessment, complex exemptions, and real/personal property appraisal services. Incumbents perform assigned duties with substantial independence, applying advanced knowledge of technical assessment and recording requirements, policies and procedures to make decisions and perform assignments. Other essential duties may include, but are not limited to: Performs highly-specialized technical work and analysis requiring in-depth knowledge and a high level of independence involving review and processing of real property transactions and/or complex document recording processes within the Assessor-Recorder's Office; receives, examines, evaluates, and records deeds, reconveyances, releases of liens, judgments, marriage certificates and various legal and other documents; interprets various codes, statutes and ordinance in examining and recording a wide variety of complex documents; performs detailed and complex document examination to ensure sufficiency, completeness, jurisdiction, appropriateness for recording, and/or adherence to legal codes and state and county recording requirements; provides follow up with customers and other parties as appropriate to resolve problems; refers customers to other Office staff and/or outside agencies as required on committees and task forces. Ensures compliance with the Transfer Tax Ordinance by reviewing change of ownership transactions; requests and analyzes documentation of proof of exemption; and collects transfer taxes in real-time, in accordance with the Revenue and Taxation Code and State and local tax laws and ordinances. Searches deeds to determine real property ownership; receives and verifies records supporting property statements. Receives and collects payments for a wide range of complex service fees based on Revenue and Taxation codes as well as state and local tax laws and ordinances; issues receipts and accounts for money received by balancing records. May receive and collect payments of recordable documents; balance cash receipts and receivables; prepare balance sheets and processing forms; and post receivables and credit appropriate accounts. Provides complex technical information in person, on the phone, and via email and regular mail regarding policies and procedures pertaining to recording requirements, assessment and recording laws, regulations, policies and procedures to attorneys, government agencies and the public. Performs technical tax assessment activities by reviewing and evaluating real property transactions such as grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, affidavits of death, court orders, final decrees of distribution, leases, foreclosure sales deeds and other documents; researches property rolls to verify changes in ownership, transfer of property, boundary discrepancies and overlap or breaks in the chain of title for real property; makes recommendations regarding property transfer tax and other assessments, based on State and County laws and codes. Provides technical assistance to professional appraisers pertaining to real property appraisals; collects structural classification data in the field or in the office for residential dwellings, apartment complexes, commercial concerns and industrial firms; notes construction characteristics related to foundation, exterior, interior, plumbing, lighting and heating; determines shape classifications using perimeter and square footage calculations; takes photographs of structures. Gathers property and/or business data to determine welfare tax exemption status; gathers and tabulates data to determine appropriate exemption percentage allowable; inspects property based on application information and other data; and prepares inspection reports; explains exemption programs; eligibility requirements; evaluates program applications and determines eligibility based on well defined, pre-established criteria; responds to and researches complaints regarding determinations; works with other divisions and the Tax Collector's Office to ensure that exemption accounts are adjusted appropriately. Researches and compiles property value data; identifies comparable sales; searches deeds to determine delivered prices; provides technical support for cost analyses and/or income analyses for both real and business/personal property; receives and verifies records supporting property statements from public accountants for client firms; researches, gathers and tabulates data from financial and operating statements. Explains appraisal procedures and policies to builders, contractors, real estate brokers and the general public; serves as a technical liaison to various agents regarding appraisal processes. Maintains and updates statistical data; prepares and maintains complex statistical reports. May serve as a lead worker by directing and monitoring the work of a small group of subordinate employees and serving as a technical resource regarding the more complex work issues in the unit. May be required to provide training to entry level classifications. Operates personal computers, computer terminals and other equipment to research databases, documents and records and locate requested information; provides and/or sends copies of requested documents according to Office policies and procedures.