Assessor-Recorder Senior Office Specialist - Office of the Assessor-Recorder (42
City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
Company Description
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. The City’s commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area sustains a rich tapestry of culture and ideas. Employees play an important role in shaping the future of San Francisco.
Office of the Assessor‑Recorder The Office is responsible for fairly and accurately executing property assessment functions in accordance with the State Constitution and local laws. Core responsibilities include identifying all taxable property in the City and County of San Francisco, establishing a taxable value, applying all legal exemptions, recording documents, collecting transfer taxes, and performing audits to ensure correct property value basis for taxation.
We record over 400 different types of documents annually, including deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, maps, and public marriage certificates. We support the collection of any transfer tax due upon a change in property ownership and advance the values of fairness, care, equity, and excellence in service to our diverse constituents.
Position Details
Job Title: Senior Office Specialist (Class 4215)
Appointment Type: Temporary Exempt – excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process. Duration does 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
Job Description The senior-level role requires advanced knowledge of technical administrative policies and procedures unique to the Assessor‑Recorder’s Office. Incumbents perform complex, specialized clerical and technical duties, including document examination, property transactions, change‑of‑ownership assessment, transfer tax assessment, complex exemptions, and real/personal property appraisal services.
Other essential duties may include, but are not limited to:
Perform highly‑specialized technical work and analysis involving review and processing of real property transactions and complex document recording processes; examine, evaluate, and record deeds, reconveyances, releases of liens, judgments, marriage certificates and other legal documents; interpret codes, statutes, and ordinances; provide follow‑up with customers; refer customers to other staff or outside agencies as needed.
Ensure compliance with the Transfer Tax Ordinance by reviewing change‑of‑ownership transactions, requesting and analyzing documentation of proof of exemption, and collecting transfer taxes in real‑time.
Search deeds to determine real property ownership; receive and verify records supporting property statements.
Collect payments for a wide range of complex service fees; issue receipts and account for money received by balancing records; prepare balance sheets and processing forms; post receivables to appropriate accounts.
Provide complex technical information in person, on the phone, via email, and regular mail regarding recording requirements, assessment laws, and policies to attorneys, government agencies, and the public.
Perform technical tax assessment activities by reviewing 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; research property rolls to verify ownership changes and boundaries; recommend property transfer tax and other assessments.
Assist professional appraisers with real property appraisals; collect structural classification data; note construction characteristics; calculate perimeter and square footage; take photographs of structures.
Gather property and/or business data to determine welfare tax exemption status; tabulate data for appropriate exemption percentages; inspect property for applications; prepare inspection reports; explain exemption programs; evaluate applications based on eligibility criteria.
Research and compile property value data; identify comparable sales; search deeds for delivered prices; provide technical support for cost and income analyses; verify records from public accountants; research financial statements.
Explain appraisal procedures and policies to builders, contractors, brokers, and the general public; serve as a technical liaison to various agents regarding appraisal processes.
Maintain and update statistical data; prepare and maintain complex statistical reports.
May serve as a lead worker by directing and monitoring a small group of subordinate employees; provide training to entry‑level classifications.
Operate personal computers and other equipment to research databases, documents, and records; provide and/or send copies of requested documents according to Office policies.
Type and prepare a wide variety of correspondence, forms, and complex documents; independently initiate correspondence relating to areas of assignment.
Perform other technical administrative duties; attend meetings and trainings; serve on committees and task forces.
Review and examine documents to ensure recording standards are met; accurately input appropriate codes, indexing fields, and document characteristics; cashier recording fees; ensure proper workflow routing and document retrieval.
May include additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills, and/or license(s) required for employment in the classification. Additional qualifications may apply and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.
Pattern I : Three (3) years equivalent to or higher than a 4213 Assessor‑Recorder Office Assistant in the City/County of San Francisco.
Pattern II : Two (2) years equivalent to or higher than a 4214 Assessor‑Recorder Office Specialist.
Pattern III : Completion of sixty (60) semester (or equivalent quarter) units from an accredited college or university, major coursework in business administration, accounting, or a closely‑related field; plus three (3) years of progressively responsible legal document technical review experience, including two (2) years at the level of a 4214 Assessor‑Recorder Office Specialist.
Substitution :
Additional specialized assessment/recording‑related experience may substitute for the above‑required education, on a year‑for‑year basis (one year of experience ≈ thirty‑seven semester units).
Possession of a Certificate of Recognition from the County Recorder’s Association of California may substitute for six (6) months of the required experience described in Pattern III.
Desirable Qualifications :
Experience in performing advanced clerical or analytical work involving complex real estate and legal documents.
Experience interpreting and applying detailed policies, procedures, or regulations to make independent decisions accurately.
Experience providing complex technical information or assistance to a diverse audience in a customer‑facing environment.
Verification of Education and Experience Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience. Information on how to verify education requirements, including foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found here.
Selection Procedures Applications will be screened and evaluated for qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be used to determine candidate qualifications. Only qualified candidates whose experience best meets the needs of the position will be selected to continue through additional steps in the selection process, which may include an interview. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement.
Additional Information
Information About The Hiring Process
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview
Equal Employment Opportunity
Disaster Service Worker
ADA Accommodation
Right to Work
Copies of Application Documents
Diversity Statement
How to Apply Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are accepted only through an online process. Visit
https://careers.sf.gov/
and begin the application process.
Select the “I’m Interested” or “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen.
Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday‑through‑Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.
Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov that their online application has been received. Keep this confirmation email for your records. Failure to receive this email means the online application was not submitted or received.
For questions regarding this recruitment or application process, contact the recruitment analyst, Stella Choi, at stella.choi@sfgov.org.
EEO Statement All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status or any other protected category under the law.
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Office of the Assessor‑Recorder The Office is responsible for fairly and accurately executing property assessment functions in accordance with the State Constitution and local laws. Core responsibilities include identifying all taxable property in the City and County of San Francisco, establishing a taxable value, applying all legal exemptions, recording documents, collecting transfer taxes, and performing audits to ensure correct property value basis for taxation.
We record over 400 different types of documents annually, including deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, maps, and public marriage certificates. We support the collection of any transfer tax due upon a change in property ownership and advance the values of fairness, care, equity, and excellence in service to our diverse constituents.
Position Details
Job Title: Senior Office Specialist (Class 4215)
Appointment Type: Temporary Exempt – excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process. Duration does 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
Job Description The senior-level role requires advanced knowledge of technical administrative policies and procedures unique to the Assessor‑Recorder’s Office. Incumbents perform complex, specialized clerical and technical duties, including document examination, property transactions, change‑of‑ownership assessment, transfer tax assessment, complex exemptions, and real/personal property appraisal services.
Other essential duties may include, but are not limited to:
Perform highly‑specialized technical work and analysis involving review and processing of real property transactions and complex document recording processes; examine, evaluate, and record deeds, reconveyances, releases of liens, judgments, marriage certificates and other legal documents; interpret codes, statutes, and ordinances; provide follow‑up with customers; refer customers to other staff or outside agencies as needed.
Ensure compliance with the Transfer Tax Ordinance by reviewing change‑of‑ownership transactions, requesting and analyzing documentation of proof of exemption, and collecting transfer taxes in real‑time.
Search deeds to determine real property ownership; receive and verify records supporting property statements.
Collect payments for a wide range of complex service fees; issue receipts and account for money received by balancing records; prepare balance sheets and processing forms; post receivables to appropriate accounts.
Provide complex technical information in person, on the phone, via email, and regular mail regarding recording requirements, assessment laws, and policies to attorneys, government agencies, and the public.
Perform technical tax assessment activities by reviewing 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; research property rolls to verify ownership changes and boundaries; recommend property transfer tax and other assessments.
Assist professional appraisers with real property appraisals; collect structural classification data; note construction characteristics; calculate perimeter and square footage; take photographs of structures.
Gather property and/or business data to determine welfare tax exemption status; tabulate data for appropriate exemption percentages; inspect property for applications; prepare inspection reports; explain exemption programs; evaluate applications based on eligibility criteria.
Research and compile property value data; identify comparable sales; search deeds for delivered prices; provide technical support for cost and income analyses; verify records from public accountants; research financial statements.
Explain appraisal procedures and policies to builders, contractors, brokers, and the general public; serve as a technical liaison to various agents regarding appraisal processes.
Maintain and update statistical data; prepare and maintain complex statistical reports.
May serve as a lead worker by directing and monitoring a small group of subordinate employees; provide training to entry‑level classifications.
Operate personal computers and other equipment to research databases, documents, and records; provide and/or send copies of requested documents according to Office policies.
Type and prepare a wide variety of correspondence, forms, and complex documents; independently initiate correspondence relating to areas of assignment.
Perform other technical administrative duties; attend meetings and trainings; serve on committees and task forces.
Review and examine documents to ensure recording standards are met; accurately input appropriate codes, indexing fields, and document characteristics; cashier recording fees; ensure proper workflow routing and document retrieval.
May include additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills, and/or license(s) required for employment in the classification. Additional qualifications may apply and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.
Pattern I : Three (3) years equivalent to or higher than a 4213 Assessor‑Recorder Office Assistant in the City/County of San Francisco.
Pattern II : Two (2) years equivalent to or higher than a 4214 Assessor‑Recorder Office Specialist.
Pattern III : Completion of sixty (60) semester (or equivalent quarter) units from an accredited college or university, major coursework in business administration, accounting, or a closely‑related field; plus three (3) years of progressively responsible legal document technical review experience, including two (2) years at the level of a 4214 Assessor‑Recorder Office Specialist.
Substitution :
Additional specialized assessment/recording‑related experience may substitute for the above‑required education, on a year‑for‑year basis (one year of experience ≈ thirty‑seven semester units).
Possession of a Certificate of Recognition from the County Recorder’s Association of California may substitute for six (6) months of the required experience described in Pattern III.
Desirable Qualifications :
Experience in performing advanced clerical or analytical work involving complex real estate and legal documents.
Experience interpreting and applying detailed policies, procedures, or regulations to make independent decisions accurately.
Experience providing complex technical information or assistance to a diverse audience in a customer‑facing environment.
Verification of Education and Experience Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience. Information on how to verify education requirements, including foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found here.
Selection Procedures Applications will be screened and evaluated for qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be used to determine candidate qualifications. Only qualified candidates whose experience best meets the needs of the position will be selected to continue through additional steps in the selection process, which may include an interview. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement.
Additional Information
Information About The Hiring Process
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview
Equal Employment Opportunity
Disaster Service Worker
ADA Accommodation
Right to Work
Copies of Application Documents
Diversity Statement
How to Apply Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are accepted only through an online process. Visit
https://careers.sf.gov/
and begin the application process.
Select the “I’m Interested” or “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen.
Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday‑through‑Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.
Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov that their online application has been received. Keep this confirmation email for your records. Failure to receive this email means the online application was not submitted or received.
For questions regarding this recruitment or application process, contact the recruitment analyst, Stella Choi, at stella.choi@sfgov.org.
EEO Statement All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status or any other protected category under the law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr