Back to List

Assessment Appeals Coordinator

Class Title: Assessment Appeals Coordinator

Salary: $93,055.46 - $145,392.62 Salary

Job Summary

Employee serves as technical expert in the office for assessment appeals and tax petitions related to complex commercial, industrial, and multi-family development properties. Working under the County Assessor and yet with wide latitude for decision-making, the employee oversees and coordinates review processes and office resources related to tax appeals. Performs analysis for complex property value appeal problems, including the production of narrative appraisals. Reviews tax court petitions facts, determines a county position on value accuracy, and defends justified valuations for fair and equitable distribution of property tax burdens. Represents Scott County by testifying/defending assessed values in Minnesota Tax Court; negotiates with petitioners. Coordinates appeal duties and reviews appeal work completed by Commercial Appraisers. Responds to difficult questions/concerns regarding appeals. Mentors, coaches, and advises others related to court and appeals processes.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

  • Completes high-quality, transparent appeal analysis and/or narrative appraisals on income-producing properties, including complex commercial, industrial, and multifamily developments; coordinates appeal duties and reviews appeal work completed by Commercial Appraisers. 

  • Investigates/reviews tax petitions and informal/formal appeals for tactical purposes and possible reductions in market value and/or changes in classification.  

  • Works with the County Attorney's Office on tax-petition related tasks, including compliance with income data disclosure, statement of position, joint statement of the case, discovery process, settlement offers, trial ready dates, deadline for appraisal, and trial preparation. 

  • Negotiates reasonable valuation settlements with the petition(s), lawyer(s), and/or tax consultant(s) working on behalf of petitioner(s). 

  • Represents the county by defending supportable market values and, if necessary, provides expert witness testimony in Minnesota Tax Court or presents a valuation/classification disposition before a local and/or the County Board. 

  • Responds to difficult questions and concerns regarding valuation and classification appeals.

  • Exercises professional judgment on a day-to-day basis with the County's focus of Delivering What Matters.

  • Performs field inspections of all property types within the county that are subject to an appeal, including accompanying Commercial Appraisers on inspections if circumstances prove necessary.

  • Conducts market research and analysis of published reliable market reports and rent rolls/financial statements of properties in the county and other similar properties to determine market rents, vacancies, expenses, and overall market trends for appraisal and assessment purposes. 

  • Analyzes market sales to extract capitalization rates, equity dividend rates, multipliers, and other market factors from sales transactions of income-producing properties. 

  • Performs assessment duties for complex and unique special use properties in the County (e.g., Canterbury Park, Valleyfair, Rahr Malting, Cargill, and other Port Savage industrial uses).

  • Serves as mentor/adviser/coach to other county Commercial Appraisers and teaches appropriate valuation methods, assessment procedures, and recommendations for finalizing an assessment cycle (e.g., percentage change in the market value for specific commercial/industrial use). 

  • Provides expert opinion and impact analyses for complex property valuation and taxation implications regarding existing properties and proposed projects for local government partners and internal requests. 

  • 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.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires one of the below:

  • Master's Degree

  • Bachelor's Degree and 3 years of progressively responsible appraisal and/or assessment experience

  • Associate's Degree and 5 years of progressively responsible appraisal and/or assessment experience

  • Highschool diploma or GED and 1 year of post-secondary education and 9 years of progressively responsible appraisal and/or assessment experience

  • Highschool diploma or GED and 11 years of progressively responsible appraisal and/or assessment experience

AND

  • One must be a Certified Minnesota Assessor-Income Qualified (CMA-IQ) license through the Minnesota Board of Assessors OR a Certified General appraisal license through the Minnesota Department of Commerce.


One must acquire an Accredited Minnesota Assessor (AMA) license within three years of hire.

a valid driver's license and provide a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities.   



PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S)

  • A bachelor's degree in real estate or a related field.

  • Experience performing commercial/industrial assessing duties in an assessor's office.

  • Experience performing private sector commercial/industrial appraisal activities.

  • Minnesota State Board of Assessors Accredited licenses (Accredited Minnesota Assessor [AMA] or Senior Accredited Minnesota Assessor [SAMA].

  • IAAO professional designations:   

Assessment Administration Specialist [AAS]

Certified Assessment Evaluator [CAE]

or Residential Evaluation Specialist [RES];

Certified General appraisal license through the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Appraisal Institute designations:    

MAI    
SRPA    
SRA     
RM

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The employee is under general supervision of the County Assessor. Work is performed according to state guidelines and is reviewed through conferences, written reports, court-related outcomes, and periodic evaluations of work for accuracy and adherence to policies.

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 and understanding of the income, cost, and sales comparison approaches to value and applying these methods in the valuation of commercial, industrial, and multifamily properties. 

Knowledge of appraisal methodologies and ability to apply and interpret all three approaches to estimating market value (market, income, and cost). 

Knowledge of the rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to appraisal and zoning.

Knowledge of real estate terminology and instruments of transfer.

Knowledge of the principles of building construction and costs.


Knowledge of computer spreadsheet software; regression analysis software, computer assisted design programs along with other specialized technology skills. 


Knowledge of advanced math principles and statistical analysis and the ability to read and diagram real estate descriptions, plat drawings, maps, blueprints, contracts, and mortgages.

Abilities –Ability to organize and understand sales of income-producing properties in order to identify market trends and determine market factors such as capitalization rates, equity dividend rates, and various multipliers. 

Ability to understand and use the Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) software. 


Ability to read and understand blueprints and construction specifications and analyze construction concepts that may or may not impact value. 

Ability to research past Tax Court decisions for relevant precedent in current litigation. 


Ability to recognize trends and use appropriate market factors in appraising similar commercial, industrial, and multi-family developments. 

 

Ability to safely and efficiently operate county vehicles. 


Ability to independently recognize, evaluate, and properly resolve Taxation department issues that require good judgment. 

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

Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties. 

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


Ability to apply complex problem-solving techniques in response to customer disputes and tax issues. 

Ability to adjust work priorities, organize work, set goals, and meet deadlines.

Knowledge –Knowledge and understanding of Minnesota's complex tax classification laws is essential for competency in this position, especially in dealing with income-producing properties.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires field work, typically in a construction oriented setting; and inside work, typically in an office setting. One may be exposed to construction site hazards such as falling debris, moving equipment, chemical/dust exposure, treacherous surfaces, etc. when traversing inspection sites. 

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.