Property and Taxation Services Manager

Job Summary

Oversees, plans, and directs all property assessment, property tax, and building permit and inspection activities in the county. Performs responsible administrative and professional work in the administration and coordination of the processes for determining appropriate appraised market value and property tax of property in the county. Incumbent develops and presents supporting documentation of established market valuations and classifications of record when appealed through the avenues of appeal, including tax court. Provides information and recommendations to Administration and the County Board for the purpose of establishing an appropriate and equitable tax base under the guidelines of state statute and property tax impacts as requested. Incumbent shall provide direction and oversight to building permit processes and inspections as required by the MN state building code. Incumbent fulfills the appointed role of County Assessor as defined by MS 273.061, subd. 3.

Job Description

Essential Duties
Develops and administers a comprehensive plan to assess, value, and classify all taxable property within the county each year; writes and implements department procedures and plans and manages the budget, coordinates activities and schedules, and ensures efficiency and effectiveness of the department.  

Manages, evaluates, and supervises appraisal, taxation and building inspections staff; provides professional guidance, mentoring, and training to ensure professional development of staff and consistency, legitimacy, uniformity, and accuracy of appraisals. Ensures proper credentials are attained for all property taxation, assessment, and inspections staff.

Manages the property tax system by directing the calculation, billing, collection, and settlement of over $300,000,000 in property taxes, which includes all phases of tax accounting, budgeting, reporting, and overall maintenance of property tax records, sales information, homestead applications, and documents.

Oversees the administration of the Tax Delinquency and Forfeited Land statutes, policies and procedures.

Oversees the management of the Property Tax and Assessment system, 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.

Oversees all issues regarding building permit escalations and assists the building official, as needed, in responding to concerns and ensures the statutory building code is followed.

Performs in-depth analysis of market data and construction costs to reflect appropriate values by recognized real estate classifications; ensures equalization of assessment across the county; stays attuned to market changes and cognizant of developments that may impact valuation; updates assessment tables as needed.  

Represents the county in property tax litigation by negotiating with property owners and attorneys and testifying as an expert witness.  

Develops and implements property appraisal, tax and inspections policies, procedures, and practices in response to changes in legislation and/or needs of service.  

Interacts and collaborates with county staff, elected/township/city/county officials, members of the public, etc., in regard to property tax and valuation; provides information to property owners in response to inquiries about valuations and taxation; prepares special assessment and tax reports and conducts assessment reviews as requested.  

Provides information and recommendations to the County Board of Equalization for changes in final assessed valuation; provides the County Board with information of a varied nature as required to assist the Board in their functions.  

Advises and informs various stakeholders about assessment and property tax matters, providing verbal and written reports, statistical analysis, studies, reviews, reappraisals, and professional feedback/input as requested.  

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) at time of appointment, and Senior Accreditation (SAMA) within two years of appointment. Must have five years of comprehensive appraisal experience of residential, commercial, and industrial property. Supervisory tax experience preferred. Must attain Property Tax Calculation for Property Tax Certification within 1 year of hire. One must attend training on building codes to understand high level requirements and changes that impact the ability of the office to provide and adhere to laws and rules. Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to facilitate problem-solving and consensus. A valid driver's license and a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities are required.

Supervisory Controls
The employee is under general guidance and direction from the Community Services Director. The employee has wide latitude for independent judgment. Work is performed according to established procedures, verbal/written instructions, and state regulations.

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.

Knowledge of Building Code, building processes, and how to ensure consistency between county and city compliance techniques.

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 audit financial statements.

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.

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. 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 nature due to complexity of laws and rules and the ever-changing nature of property assessment, taxation, and building code.

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.