County Assessor

Job Title: County Assessor

Department: Assessor

Immediate Supervisor: County Administrator

FLSA Status: Exempt

DBM Rating: D62

Union: N/A

Job Summary:
Under the direction of the County Administrator, the County Assessor is responsible for overseeing and managing the overall procedures, operations and staff of the department engaged in the appraisal and assessment of all real property in Steele County in accordance with MN statutes and acceptable appraisal and assessment standards and practices.  Duties of the job include such representative responsibilities as evaluating and developing appraisal procedures to assure uniform assessments; assessing market trends and changes in legislative requirement and implements changes into the mass appraisal and tax systems; and overseeing the assessments of all commercial and industrial properties within the County.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, directs and manages operational procedures and functions of the department to include:
  • Plans for, recommends and administers the department budget.
  • Determines staff development needs, workload allocations and schedules.
  • Sets up Board of Review schedules.
  • Conducts strategic planning and provides the direction for the department to align department plans in relation to County strategic plans, goals and objectives.
  • Reviews and evaluates department procedures and operations and makes modifications and/or changes to assure more consistent and equitable assessments and to analyze and incorporate any legislative requirements or changes.
• Determines appropriate valuation methodologies for the various property types within each class of properties the department assesses, ensuring rates meet state requirements, and analyzes resulting sales ratio’s.
• Collaborates and works with all the staff within the department.
  • Reviews appraiser recommendations based on sales analysis, assessment rates and state requirements.
  • Assists in the training of staff on uniform mass appraisal applications.
  • Recruits, interviews and selects new department personnel.
  • Determines job expectations for positions within the department.
  • Monitors, evaluates and conducts performance reviews for direct reports.
  • Initiates personnel actions (e.g. discipline, promotion, demotion, discharge, etc.).
  • Oversees orientation, staff development and training.

• Advises the County Board and other agencies regarding assessment issues including the impact of calculating the impact of valuations of taxing jurisdictions or legislative changes. Participates in county and/or city-wide projects and/or initiatives as delegated or appropriate.

• Represents the County, as appropriate, in any tax litigation by negotiating with property owners and attorneys to seek resolution and/or testifies in court as an expert witness. Determines when to hire independent appraisers. Consults with and advises the County Attorney regarding when to settle or litigate for taxes and or fairness of settlement offers.

• Conducts various public relation activities and functions.
  • Interacts and collaborates with County staff, elected county and city officials, and members of the public in regards to property and valuation issues and concerns.
  • Prepares assessment reviews.
  • Provides information and recommendations to the County Board of Appeal and Equalizations in making determinations of assessed valuation.
  • Advises and informs various stakeholders about assessment matters.
  • Makes presentations to various community groups.
  • Provides written and verbal reports, statistical analyses, studies, reviews, reappraisals and/or professional feedback/input to parties, as indicated.
    
• Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required.
  • Keeps abreast of changing legislation, trends and developments in areas of responsibility.
  • Participates, attends and/or serves on various committees, professional organizations or groups.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Real Estate, Finance or closely related area.
• Minimum of 4-5 years directly related experience in valuing and appraising all types of property including residential, farm, commercial and industrial real estate that includes a minimum of one-year supervisory experience.
• Prefers knowledge and/or experience with Commercial and Industrial Appraisals
• Requires a Sr. Accredited Assessor License designation by the State of MN within 2 years of hire.
• Requires a valid driver’s license in the State of MN. 

Essential Knowledge

• Principles, practices, and methods of computers and assessment related software applications, especially mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Computer Aided Mass Appraisal (CAMA) systems, and imaging and electronic record storage and retrieval programs.
• Principles, practices, and methods of all approaches to value as recognized by the State Board of Assessors (e.g. Cost, Income and sales Approach).
• Principles, practices, and methods of the appraisal process.
• Principles, practices, and methods of the Minnesota real estate tax system.
• MN Property Tax Statutes and Dept. of Revenue Property Tax Administration requirements.
• Application and interpretation of laws and regulations governing the assessment of property.
• Principles, practices, and methods of avenues of appeal for the public.
• Principles, practices, and methods of management and administration.
• Principles, practices, and methods of budget planning, presentation, and management.

Essential Skills

• Oral, presentational and written communications.
• Delegating, supervising, and assigning responsibilities to other in accordance with their abilities and consistent with the requirements of the job.
• Planning, formulating, developing and establishing work methods, controls and operating procedures necessary to carry out the strategic objectives expected of the department/county and assure the rules, laws and guidelines pertaining to the department are in compliance.
• Interpreting and applying complex tax legislation and statutes pertaining to property valuation and property tax.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, other departments, governmental officials, and the general public.
• Using, managing and implementing the CAMA system, computer programs and general business productivity software applications.
• Using methods and practices of all approaches to value.
• Evaluating all types of property and specifically commercial and industrial properties in providing sound judgment in the determination and equalization of property values across the entire County and between neighboring counties.
• Engaging and conducting public relation activities by responding to civic groups, elected officials and the general public on tax and assessment issues in the County.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Communicating and enforcing departmental and County policies and practices.
• Analyzing tax and assessment data.
• Preparing and presenting numerical and narrative reports, abstracts, or other documents.
• Preparing, planning, presenting, and managing the department budget.
• Conflict resolution.

Physical Job Requirements (Percentage of Time)

Category: Sedentary Work

Stand: frequently (34-66%)

Walk: frequently (34-66%)

Sit: frequently (34-66%)

Use of hands: continuously (67-100%)

Reach with hands & arms: frequently (34-66%)

Climb or balance: occasionally (1-33%)

Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: occasionally (1-33%)

Talk or hear: continuously (67-100%)

Taste or smell: never

Lift & carry: up to 10 pounds: frequently (34-66%)

Working Conditions

Duties of the job are primarily administrative functions in nature performed in a typical County office. Appraisal activities may involve viewing, inspecting, measuring, and appraising property at times in remote locations, construction sites, unsafe buildings, in snow, varying weather conditions, and at time exposed to angry animals and irate citizens that make the job less than desirable.  Risks and hazards associated with the job can be minimized by general risk management procedures, proper equipment, and rescheduling appointments/visits, as needed.

This description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification.  The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Equal Employment Opportunity