City Assessor

Full Job Description

The purpose of this job is to coordinate and direct the operations of the City Assessor's Office. Supervises the preparation of the City's ad valorem assessment roll, special act assessment rolls, and special assessment rolls. Performs other duties as set forth in the General Property Tax Act and the City Charter.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Supervises and directs the work of assigned personnel. Delegates, prioritizes and evaluates work of staff, participates in hiring, training and disciplinary actions and conducts performance evaluations.
• Oversees defense of property tax appeals filed with the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Works collaboratively with other jurisdictions on joint appeals.
• Supervises the annual preparation of the City's ad valorem assessment roll.
• Calculates Economic Condition Factors and land values for industrial and commercial property.
• Supervises and directs the effective administration of the duties assigned to the City Assessor's Office related to the City's various economic development incentive programs.
• Directs the proper application of various tax exemptions, including Principal Residence, Disabled Veterans, Poverty and taxable value uncapping exemptions.
• Participates in proper application of exemptions applied for under Michigan Compiled Law statutes pertaining to non-profit charitable organizations, religious organizations, hospitals, elderly or handicapped housing, youth organizations and other organizations/entities expressly exempt by statute.
• Supervises and participates in the preparation of various internal/external reports.
• Develops statistics and other research criteria and data for use in public hearings or in media presentations. Drafts articles and press releases concerning taxable values and appears in public or on electronic media as necessary.
• Reviews statutes and pending property assessment legislation and drafts suggested amendments. Testifies before legislative committees.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or other related field involving mathematics supplemented by additional courses in real estate appraisal

--AND--

• At least seven (7) to nine (9) years of experience in real and personal property appraisal, including supervisory experience

--OR--

• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities

Required Licenses or Certifications

• MMAO (4) and PPE certifications

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of basic bookkeeping
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• General Property Tax Act
• Real and personal property appraisal theory  
• Principles and practices of employee supervision
• Michigan Tax Tribunal rules and landmark property tax rulings issued by the Michigan Tax Tribunal, the Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Supreme Court
• Michigan Assessor's Manuals Volume I, II, and III
• Mass and single appraisal principles and techniques
• Applicable software packages 

Skill in:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships 
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios
• Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments
• Verbal and written communication
• Organization and time management 

Ability to:

• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Analyze appraisals of complex commercial and industrial property
• Read, analyze and implement technical bulletins and directives issued by the Michigan State Tax Commission
• Calculate/implement complicated computations related to loss of personal property/small taxpayer exemptions to ensure proper reimbursements are made to the City
• Read, analyze, comprehend and apply complex legal decisions published by various tax courts including the Michigan Tax Tribunal, the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court