City Assessor

About the role

The City Assessor's Office is responsible for coordinating and directing the operations of the City. This includes overseeing the preparation of the City's ad valorem assessment roll, special act assessment rolls, and special assessment rolls. The position also involves defending property tax appeals, administering economic development incentive programs, and applying various tax exemptions.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and directs the work of assigned personnel.
• Delegates, prioritizes, and evaluates work of staff, participates in hiring, training, and disciplinary actions, and conducts performance evaluations.
• Oversees defense of property tax appeals filed with the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
• Works collaboratively with other jurisdictions on joint appeals.
• Supervises and directs the annual preparation of the City's ad valorem assessment roll.
• Calculates Economic Condition Factors and land values for industrial and commercial property.
• Supervises and directs the administration of the City Assessor's Office related to various economic development incentive programs.
• Directs the proper application of various tax exemptions, including Principal Residence, Disabled Veterans, Poverty, and taxable value uncapping exemptions.
• Participates in the proper application of exemptions applied for under Michigan Compiled Law statutes pertaining to non-profit charitable organizations, religious organizations, hospitals, elderly or handicapped housing, youth organizations, and other organizations/entities expressly exempt by statute.
• Supervises and participates in the preparation of various internal/external reports.
• Develops statistics and other research criteria and data for use in public hearings or in media presentations.
• Drafts articles and press releases concerning taxable values and appears in public or on electronic media as necessary.
• Reviews statutes and pending property assessment legislation and drafts suggested amendments.
• Testifies before legislative committees.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements

• Knowledge of: Principles and practices of basic bookkeeping, modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment, general Property Tax Act, real and personal property appraisal theory, principles and practices of employee supervision, Michigan Tax Tribunal rules and landmark property tax rulings issued by the Michigan Tax Tribunal, the Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Assessor's Manuals Volume I, II, and III, mass and single appraisal principles and techniques, applicable software packages.
• Skills in: Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships, performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature, performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios, assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments, verbal and written communication, organization and time management.

Qualifications

• Minimum Training and Experience: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or other related field involving mathematics supplemented by additional courses in real estate appraisal AND at least seven (7) to nine (9) years of experience in real and personal property appraisal, including supervisory experience.
• Other Necessary Qualifications: Knowledge of: Principles and practices of basic bookkeeping, modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment, general Property Tax Act, real and personal property appraisal theory, principles and practices of employee supervision, Michigan Tax Tribunal rules and landmark property tax rulings issued by the Michigan Tax Tribunal, the Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Assessor's Manuals Volume I, II, and III, mass and single appraisal principles and techniques, applicable software packages. Skills in: Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships, performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature, performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios, assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments, verbal and written communication, organization and time management.

Benefits

The City of Grand Rapids Employee Benefits webpage can be accessed through the provided link.