Deputy County Assessor

Job Summary

Assists the County Assessor in the planning and development of departmental policies and guidelines. Performs supervisory, administrative, and highly skilled technical work in achieving a uniform assessment. Analyzes real estate market activity, impacts, and trends and develops, calibrates, and maintains mass appraisal valuation models for all property types within the county. Provides professional guidance and oversight to staff. Proposes the direction pertaining to the valuation and classification methodologies as well as the market changes necessary for all property types within the county to the County Assessor. Ensures that assessment practices are compliant with all state laws, mandates, and professional best practices. Monitors tasks performed throughout the annual assessment cycle using analytical skills. Responds to inquiries and complaints of all difficulty levels, including testifying in court as an expert witness on behalf of the county. Represents the county during various types of public meetings, including appeal hearings and any other presentations as required. Assists in locating, identifying, viewing, measuring, and appraising property of all complexity levels and types. Work is performed in both office and field settings.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Directs and supervises appraisers throughout the assessment cycle. Guides and assists each appraiser through difficult problems involving valuation, classification, customer service, scheduling, on-going education, and software and hardware support.

Develops, calibrates, and performs ongoing maintenance of mass appraisal valuation models for land and building valuations of commercial, industrial, multi-family, residential, and agricultural properties within the county. Considers all approaches to value including income, comparable sales (market), and cost approaches to determine which approach will produce the most reliable indications of value for various property types and market areas. Documents methodologies and trains staff on how property data is utilized to derive assessed valuations.  

Performs complex analysis using statistics, economics, and highly technical systems in order to ensure that equalization and accuracy is reached and communicated to taxpayers of the county. Understands the relational data base structure of the CAMA system in order to reach the intended results. Independently performs sales ratio studies to monitor assessment performance. Ensures that the county is not subjected to enforcement actions, such as reappraisal or equalization orders. Utilizes studies to inform county staff and the public about local appraisal conditions. 

Directs and supervises the Property Systems Administrator. Guides and assists with custom report generation, table maintenance, and special projects. Informs this position about department goals and assessing best practices. 

Directs and supervises assessment system activities, including value maintenance due to splits, plats and combinations, property linkage, and the determination of qualification for state programs including, but not limited to: Agricultural, Special Agricultural, Green Acres, Homestead, Senior Tax Deferral, and plat deferment. 

Works directly with county’s MDOR-assigned Property Tax Compliance Officer (PTCO) to ensure that assessment practices are compliant with all state laws, mandates, and professional best practices. Works collectively with County Assessor to complete the MDOR’s annual office review by providing requested information and writing narrative explanations throughout the audit process. 

Creates and provides annual quintile review compliance reports and confers with PTCO to ensure state-issued sale validation criteria is being followed by all county staff. Oversees verification and validation of property sales to ensure compliance with state guidelines. Creates and regularly updates staff productivity and accuracy reports and communicates results to County Assessor. Recognizes and rewards outstanding performance and expeditiously addresses any concerns. 

Writes, reviews, and conducts employee performance evaluations, including the traditional annual and probationary reviews as well as ongoing coaching, training, and feedback. 

Organizes, coordinates, and supervises assessment operations, including assigning workflow, and providing staff development and training, creating and implementing collaborative service delivery. 

Manages portions of the CAMA system, including analyzing and maintaining appropriate valuation tables, compiling assessment reports and sale study data, ensuring accurate and efficient data entry practices, and calibrating valuation models. 

Coordinates work assignments with other activities and priorities of the department and county projects and/or initiatives. 

Responds to customer inquiries and complaints of all difficulty levels. Frequently handles escalated issues without having to involve department manager.

Provides valuations for tax forfeit property or delegates task to qualified appraiser.  Assists in other duties surrounding tax forfeit property. 

Testifies in court as an expert witness on behalf of the county. 

Serves as an expert resource to staff and residents regarding commercial/industrial and complex residential property appraisal.  Serves as acting County Assessor in his/her absence. 

Develops, implements, and communicates departmental policies and procedures regarding employee conduct and assessment methodologies.

Performs complex physical field inspections of all property and building types within the county. 

Compiles and analyzes market data to ensure reliable estimates of property values. Provides regular communications, informational reports, and data requests to business partners and customers.   

Maintains various computerized property records systems. Learns new systems and has ability to train others in their use. 

Prepares technical and administrative reports on activities of the department. 

Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.

Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires current Accreditation as a MN Assessor (AMA) and Senior Accreditation (SAMA) within two years of hire. (A licensed MN Assessor with income qualifications from the State Board may substitute a RES, CAE, or MAI designation through the IAAO or Appraisal Institute for the AMA requirement). Additionally, one must have four years of comprehensive appraisal experience of residential, commercial, and industrial property. One must possess excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to facilitate problem-solving and consent. The incumbent shall possess a valid driver's license and provide a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S)

Supervisory experience is desired.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under general supervision and guidance of the Property & Taxation Services Manager. Work is performed in accordance to state and federal statutes with minimal supervision. The employee exercises independent judgment in implementing new work methods and procedures. Work may be reviewed by the Community Services Director for overall standards of performance.

The incumbent directs and oversees the work of others; including, program/service planning and delivery, personnel selection, evaluation of work performance, training, and disciplinary activities. Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

The incumbent promotes employee professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to others.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.

Knowledge – Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of property assessment and valuation.

Knowledge of property taxation concepts and practices.

Knowledge of the laws and regulations governing property assessment.

Knowledge of construction principles.

Knowledge of techniques for effective customer service.

Knowledge of county government departments and operations.

Knowledge of county policies, procedures, and labor contracts.

Abilities – Ability to work in arenas of conflict and bringing diverse opinions to resolution or consensus.

Ability to analyze and evaluate financial information and to prepare clear reports regarding the findings.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing as well as to present information to groups in both formal and informal settings.

Ability to read and interpret complex legal documents and descriptions.

Ability to provide effective customer service and be responsive to the needs of customers.

Ability to perform complex property tax calculations, highly technical valuation modeling and calibration needs in order to comply and meet state statutes, rules and MN DOR requirements for compliance.

Ability to supervise, mentor, coach, and evaluate employees.

Ability to control implementation of multi-task assignments.

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.

Ability to use MS Office software and other computer programs relative to applicable software applications and computer aided mass appraisal (CAMA) concepts for the performance of essential duties.

Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting; however, field work is also required to meet the needs of service. The position is multi-task oriented with stringent timelines and includes periods of stress when balancing multiple and varied needs/demands of services. Position is stressful in natures due to complexity of laws and rules and the ever-changing nature of property assessment.

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.