Chief City Assessor

About the role

The Chief Assessor is responsible for leading the City of La Crosse’s Assessment Office and ensuring the accurate, equitable, and legally compliant valuation of all residential, commercial, and personal property in accordance with Wisconsin statutes. The Chief Assessor oversees the City’s assessment program, including annual maintenance, revaluations, assessment administration, statutory reporting, and property tax exemption determinations.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical expertise to City leadership
• Serves as the primary point of contact for residents, businesses, developers, elected officials, City staff, and state agencies regarding property assessments
• Oversees the City’s assessment program, including annual maintenance, revaluations, assessment administration, statutory reporting, and property tax exemption determinations
• Maintains the highest ethical standards and ensures fair, equitable, and legally compliant property assessments
• Fosters public confidence in the City’s assessment process
• Works collaboratively with residents, businesses, developers, elected officials, City staff, and state agencies to promote fairness, transparency, and public confidence in the assessment process

Requirements

• Exceptional technical expertise in property valuation and mass appraisal
• Leadership ability to manage a high-performing Assessment Office
• Sound judgment and the ability to maintain the highest ethical standards
• Experience in managing complex income-producing properties, supervisory responsibilities, and large-scale public sector mass appraisal
• Wisconsin Department of Revenue Assessor 2 and Assessor 3 certifications required at the time of hire and must be maintained through continuing education
• A professional assessor or appraisal designation is preferred
• A valid Wisconsin driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Property Appraisal and Assessment or a related field is required
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Public Finance, Statistics, Property Assessment, or a related field is preferred
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible real property appraisal experience

Skills

• Forward-thinking mindset
• Data analysis
• Technology
• Industry best practices
• Ability to continually improve assessment operations and support informed decision-making

Benefits

• Excellent benefits package
• Enrollment in Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)

Pay

$100,000 - $109,600

Schedule

N/A

Application

To apply, please upload (right) or send a cover letter, resume, salary history, and professional references to Jess Wildes at jess@public-advisors.com. Please direct questions to 262-339-5658. Thank you for your interest!

Minor Metadata

The City of La Crosse is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and highly skilled assessment professional to serve as its next Chief Assessor. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional technical expertise in property valuation and mass appraisal, along with the leadership ability to manage a high-performing Assessment Office. This individual will exercise sound judgment, maintain the highest ethical standards, and ensure fair, equitable, and legally compliant property assessments while fostering public confidence in the City’s assessment process. The successful candidate will be an approachable and responsive leader who communicates complex assessment and taxation concepts in a clear and understandable manner. They will build positive working relationships with residents, property owners, developers, elected officials, City staff, and state agencies while providing outstanding customer service. The ideal candidate will also bring a forward-thinking mindset, using data analysis, technology, and industry best practices to continually improve assessment operations and support informed decision-making throughout the organization.