Auditor Real Estate Clerk

About the role

This Real Estate position assists the Auditor with a range of technical and specialized duties, including maintaining accurate real estate records, voter registration, website maintenance, county receivables, fixed asset reporting, some payroll duties, and election assistance. The role also supports miscellaneous office functions and ensures public access to real estate information, including through GIS (ArcMap) software and mapping.

Responsibilities

• Ascertain the legal and technical content of property descriptions by receiving and interpreting deeds, contracts, surveys, and condemnations; write and interpret difficult legal descriptions.
• Validate ownership by maintaining plat books, tax records, and electronic files; facilitate corrections before completing transfers.
• Draw surveys in plat books and verify correctness; document new subdivisions as they occur.
• Address public inquiries about real estate from attorneys, surveyors, engineers, bankers, officials, property owners, and others.
• Coordinate land division requests within the county; assign and maintain parcel letter designations; communicate split requirements and work with the Land Use Administrative office.
• Prepare and update reports such as county-wide valuation, gas and electric, and abstract reports.
• Maintain governmental credits and tax exemptions on real estate.
• Maintain and update real estate addresses in county records and the statewide voter registration database.
• Assist with elections by sending voter registration cards, entering and updating voter information, maintaining changes, and assisting with absentee balloting.
• Perform clerical and administrative duties, including answering phones, assisting visitors, and distributing mail.
• Take minutes for Board of Supervisors meetings as needed.
• Apply knowledge of Iowa Code, Internal Revenue statutes, and Federal Regulations relevant to Auditor responsibilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; two-year degree preferred.
• Knowledge of real estate processes is beneficial.
• Accounting experience is beneficial.
• Legal Description/GIS experience is preferred.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the public.
• Effective verbal and written communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

• Proficient operation of office equipment including computers, calculators, printers, fax machines, copiers, shredders, and multi-line telephones.
• Ability to build positive interpersonal relationships internally and externally.
• Skill in providing informative and professional public assistance.
• Ability to create accurate, professional, and error-free documents.
• Ability to understand and follow instructions.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and documents.
• Hands-on technical computer skills.
• Professional and courteous demeanor.
• Maintain confidentiality of records.

Physical demands

Regularly required to talk or hear; frequently required to sit; regularly required to walk, use hands to grasp/push/pull/reach, and sustain repetitive movements. Frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds; occasionally exert up to 20 pounds to move objects. Must be able to climb ladders while lifting/moving objects up to 20 pounds and occasionally exert up to 30 pounds to lift/move election equipment. Visual requirements include close inspection, clerical work, and computer terminal use.

Work environment

Typical office environment with no substantial exposure to adverse conditions. Required to work nights and weekends during and before elections. Occasionally travels to attend seminars or training.