City Assessor

About the role

This position oversees and manages the City’s property tax assessment functions, including valuation of real estate and personal property, property valuation appeals, and oversight of general reappraisals. It also involves compiling the Grand List, producing the Tax Book, and state Education Fund reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and certify valuations of real estate and business personal property for property tax assessments and payment-for-services agreements.
• Compile the official Grand List and maintain records of ownership, value, and descriptions of property assessed.
• Produce annual value change notices on all property that changed in value.
• Act as Chair of the Board of Assessors, hearing and ruling on property valuation grievances, appeals, and claims for exemptions.
• Report and testify before the Board of Tax Appeals, Board of Civil Authority, and other judicial hearings.
• Oversee administration of the Board of Tax Abatement and act as an active, voting member.
• Conduct narrative appraisal reports and CAMA property valuation appraisals of real residential and commercial property.
• Conduct narrative appraisal reports and CAMA property valuation appraisals of business personal property (machinery and equipment).
• Maintain property values for the City’s Tax Incentive Finance (TIF) District and Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP).
• Manage market data collection, processing, and review of real estate and business property, setting values for assessment purposes and issuing notices.
• Establish appraisal methodology and assessment administration procedures for ongoing appraisal equity and new building improvements, land valuation, and other market changes.
• Oversee administration and operations of the Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) computer system for the City.
• Manage department staff, including hiring, supervision, assigning work, training, coaching, conducting performance evaluations, promotion, discipline, discharge, work rule establishment, and department morale.
• Lead all state communications and reporting with the Division of Property Valuation and Review (PVR) within the State of Vermont Department of Taxes.
• Create and maintain public records/grand list data, including property transfers and overall taxable property values.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• A degree in real estate, economics, accounting, public administration, or related field preferred.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of full-time, progressively responsible experience in the valuation of property for tax purposes, including five years of supervisory experience.
• Certification from the IAAO is highly desired.
• A Certified General Appraisal license is highly desired.
• Maintain a professional designation from IAAO and/or a Vermont Licensed Appraisal Level II Certificate.
• Valid Vermont Driver’s License.
• Proficiency with Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal software (CAMA) and relational databases.
• Advanced knowledge of residential and commercial real estate valuation methodologies.
• Working knowledge of business personal property appraisal methods such as depreciation schedules and inflation factors.
• Knowledge of management principles and practices and the ability to accomplish work through others.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written.
• Professional interaction with the public, City Council, local politicians, and other government entities.
• Understanding of long-range planning, including the ability to project future department requirements, solicit funding, and manage implementation.
• Ability to plan and forecast seasonal department workload, including equipment and staffing requirements; develop objectives; and arrange resources to assure that legal taxation deadlines are met.
• Effective employee and public relations, ability to hear and resolve grievances and other public complaints in a professional manner.
• Regular attendance is necessary and essential to meet job function expectations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective employee and public relations.
• Ability to understand and comply with City standards, safety rules, and personnel policies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Additional experience may be substituted for a degree requirement on a two-for-one year basis.
• Professional Designation Certification from the IAAO is highly desired.
• A Certified General Appraisal license is highly desired.
• Maintain a professional designation from IAAO and/or a Vermont Licensed Appraisal Level II Certificate.
• Valid Vermont Driver’s License.
• Proficiency with Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal software (CAMA) and relational databases.
• Advanced knowledge of residential and commercial real estate valuation methodologies.
• Working knowledge of business personal property appraisal methods such as depreciation schedules and inflation factors.
• Knowledge of management principles and practices and the ability to accomplish work through others.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written.
• Professional interaction with the public, City Council, local politicians, and other government entities.
• Understanding of long-range planning, including the ability to project future department requirements, solicit funding, and manage implementation.
• Ability to plan and forecast seasonal department workload, including equipment and staffing requirements; develop objectives; and arrange resources to assure that legal taxation deadlines are met.
• Effective employee and public relations, ability to hear and resolve grievances and other public complaints in a professional manner.
• Regular attendance is necessary and essential to meet job function expectations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective employee and public relations.
• Ability to understand and comply with City standards, safety rules, and personnel policies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.