Chief Appraiser

Job Description

The Napa Valley

Internationally known for its fine wines, exciting restaurants and world-class resorts, is home to 140,000 residents who share a strong sense of community and a legacy of preserving and protecting our rich agricultural heritage. Located in the heart of California's preeminent wine region, the Napa Valley is also part of the dynamic San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area. With its sunny Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains and ocean, the Valley offers residents easy access to virtually unlimited shopping, dining, cultural and recreational opportunities. The Napa Valley's strategic location, natural and cultural resources, history of responsible land use planning and attractive quality of life provide the ideal mix of small town living and big city amenities.

Napa County as an Employer

As an organization, the County is dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens and reflecting the best of the community's values: Respect, Accountability, Dedication, Integrity and Innovation. LEARN MORE HERE.

The Position

Napa County is actively seeking its next Chief Appraiser to join the Assessor Valuation Division within the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk Department.

PLEASE NOTE: This active recruitment is to fill a future vacancy. The earliest the selected candidate can start is January 2027.

Under administrative direction, the Chief Appraiser directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of the Assessor Valuation Division within the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk Department, including valuing and auditing real and personal property, performing the most complex property appraisals, overseeing assessment appeals, and acting as technical advisor on the valuation of complex properties. The Chief Appraiser coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies, and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk.

The Chief Appraiser is responsible for the leadership and management of a division that may include multiple work groups of significant depth and complexity. Responsibilities include providing strategic direction and overall management and administration of a division, including development of a division’s objectives and design and implementation of supporting programs, processes, policies, and/or procedures to successfully achieve those objectives. The Chief Appraiser may serve as the Deputy Assessor with authority to act in the absence of the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk.

This classification is designated as an “at will” classification.

Position Requirements: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

• Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible property appraising or auditing experience including three years of supervisory responsibility.
  Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in economics, civil engineering, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
  
• License or Certificate:*
  
  • Possession of a valid driver's license.
    
  • Possession of a Permanent Real Property Appraiser's Certificate issued by the State Board of Equalization.
    
  • Possession of an Advanced Real Property Appraiser's Certificate is desirable.
    
    

*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with Napa County. For continued employment with Napa County, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.
Salary & Benefits:

• Hourly Rate: $69.04 (Step 1) - $83.73 (Step 5)
  

• Annual Salary: $143,603.20 (Step 1) - $174,158.40 (Step 5)
  
• Summary of Benefits: Benefit Plan Summaries | Napa County, CA - CNCO
  

The Recruitment & Selection Process:

Application Deadline By 5:00 PM (PST) Monday, October 19, 2026 Application Screening & Supplemental Question Scoring
Tentatively scheduled for the week October 19, 2026

Supplemental questions will be scored by subject matter experts. The most qualified applicants from the scoring of the supplemental questions will be invited for an Oral Exam (Panel Interview).
Oral Panel Interview Tentatively scheduled for the week November 2, 2026.

The most qualified candidates from the oral exam (panel interview) will be placed on the eligibility list and may be considered for current and future vacancies for this position for up to 12 months.

The Napa County Human Resources Department reserves the right to make changes to the recruitment process at any time.

Example of Duties

Review the full job description, including the examples of duties, HERE .*
* This classification specification is currently in the process of being reviewed and may be revised.*

Disaster Service Workers:
Napa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Napa County experiences emergencies (earthquake, wildfire, flood, power outage, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency (CA Govt Code § 3102).

ADA Accommodation:

Applicants requiring accommodation during the application and/or selection process pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act should contact County of Napa Human Resources at (707) 253-4303.

Napa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Non-Classified - Other

Closing Date/Time: 10/19/2026 5:00 PM Pacific