Chief Assessor

The City of Amesbury (estimated population 18,000), a dynamic Merrimack Valley community rich in tradition with a vibrant and expanding economic base, is seeking a strong candidate to serve as the City’s Chief Assessor. The position is responsible for performing professional, administrative, and technical work in managing the operations of the Assessor’s department and in the appraisal of city-wide property in accordance with state and local statute and regulations

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week Monday – Friday, Chief Assessor may be required to work beyond normal business hours.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as examples of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Supervise the general management and administration of the assessing department. Manage the ongoing analysis and inspection of property sales activity used to establish fair market values (FMV) annually. Administer appraisal system to annually establish assessed values.
• Responsible for appraising and/or supervising the appraisal of residential, commercial, industrial, and personal property for the municipality; conducts inspections of property, as necessary, in order to maintain a uniform, full market value on all property; performs annual city-wide update of property values and is responsible for the DOR recertification every three years.
• Represent the City at the Appellate Tax Board for residential cases.
• Answer questions from property owners and members of the banking, legal and development community; works with individual taxpayers to negotiate their assessment if necessary.
• Assign, prioritize and oversee daily clerical work projects. Provides training and assistance as needed.
• Track, monitor and field review building permit activity, including new subdivision activity. Perform annual data entry of property changes to reflect additions and deletions and established new values.
• Organize and coordinate property inspections for data collector, performing inspections as needed. Review data collectors’ work for accuracy; this is done for annual building permits, sales, and cyclical inspections.
• Prepare all annual reporting to the Department of Revenue to ensure timely completion and submission throughout the year. Including, but is not limited to, all tax rate documents including new growth, certification for State reimbursement of property tax exemption, sales reports for EQV and State-owned land valuation, etc.
• Review all recorded plans and prepare document for annual updating of Assessors Maps. Submit changes to Merrimack Valley Planning Commission for map updating and create export of Assessor’s property database for GIS/MIMAP updating.
• Coordinate and develop MIMAP programs for other departments. Continually maintain and support City’s data through electronic interchanges with Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. Coordinate MIMAP training sessions with MVPC as needed for city staff.
• Coordinate the GIS operations for the City. Coordinate and oversee GIS projects. Review applications for quality control for end user. Coordinate city-wide GIS efforts and meet as needed with City departments to assess progress and set priorities.
• Administer all GIS systems. Act as a central communication point and public information source. Recommend and assist with future creation of data layers. Review GIS data development and maintenance. Provide data for the integration of GIS with other information systems.
• Prepare quarterly tax billing files for real estate and personal property and export to Tax Collector’s vendor. Ensures proper transfer and reconciling of data.
• Collect data and information from the planning board, building inspector, and other board/officials whose actions may affect assessing decisions.
• Prepare and administer the department’s budget; purchases department equipment and supplies; supervise the maintenance of department records.
• Prepare bi-weekly payroll and expenses.
• Coordinate all motor vehicle excise commitments between the Assessor’s and Collector’s offices and with tax bill printing vendor; this is also completed for specialty plates and boat excise.
• Prepare annual billing for septic loan betterments.
• Investigate requests for abatements and exemptions of property tax. Advise the Board of Assessors on abatement applications.
• Prepare for monthly Board of Assessors meetings. Serve as management staff to the Board of Assessors, providing the necessary preparation and technical assistance at meetings, and assuring proper follow-up to their decisions.
• Attend professional meetings, training programs, and seminars in order to stay abreast of changes or new trends in the field and to maintain knowledge of Massachusetts laws and regulations concerning tax assessments.
• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.
• Oversees the maintenance and updating of information in the various software databases, including deed transfers, lot splits, subdivisions, creating new parcels or accounts.
• Handles confidential department information and exercises independent judgement.
• Prepares the Tax Classification package for the Mayor and City Council for the Public Hearing on the Allocation of the Tax Levy.

Supervision Received: Works under the administrative direction of the Chief Financial Officer, the policy direction of the Board of Assessors, and in strict accordance with the directives and policies of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and in compliance with M.G.L.

Supervision Given: Has direct supervisory responsibility for two full time employees, assigning tasks and instructions, and monitoring performance.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience and education equivalent to a bachelor’s degree; five years of related experience in real and personal property tax administration or valuation; experience in appraisal methodologies; some experience in a GIS environment desired, or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Experience in supervision, and in planning, organizing, and carrying out programs and projects related to the Assessing Department.
• Massachusetts Accredited Assessor (MAA) certification.
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.

Required Skills and Qualities:

• Strong commitment to excellent customer service and a desire to meet and serve the community.
• Ability to work well with other staff members and to lead by example.
• Ability to motivate, establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Thorough working knowledge of the Massachusetts General Laws relating to municipal finance and property assessment for tax purposes.
• Familiarity with computerized appraisal systems and various spreadsheet, database, and word processing software applications.
• Knowledge of contemporary techniques of GIS applications.
• General knowledge of windows operating systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal form.
• Ability to coordinate, multi-task office activities and to supervise staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with various departments in cross-disciplinary projects, integration of databases and technology.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.

Work Environment: Most work is administrative/technical and performed under typical office conditions; some field work is performed with exposure to weather and the hazards associated with construction sites. Some evening or weekend work may be required for attending various meetings.

Operates an automobile, computer, calculator, copier, facsimile machine, telephone, digital camera, and other standard office equipment.

Makes regular contacts with various departments, and other municipalities; makes frequent contact with appraisal vendors, property owners, developers, attorneys, engineers, bank officials, and real estate professionals, representatives from the state and federal agencies, and others relative to the municipality’s valuation of property. Contacts require excellent customer service and negotiation skills; contacts are by phone, in person, and in writing and require discussing complex administrative and technical matters.

Has access to department-related confidential information including bid proposals and information about citizens, which require the application of appropriate judgment, discretion, and professional protocols.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Tasks require extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Certain tasks require the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. Required to access all levels of a structure/building, traverses’ uneven terrain with performing field duties. Ability to drive an automobile. Regular hand/eye coordination to perform tasks.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position's essential functions.

Applicants will be required to undergo a background check including CORI & SORI screenings prior to appointment.

Attendance is Mandatory.

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to:

Christine Caminero, Human Resources Director, City of Amesbury

camineroc@amesburyma.gov

to remain posted until filled.

The City of Amesbury is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of Amesbury does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status or membership in the armed services, marital status or any other protected category under federal or state law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $76,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $76,000 - $90,000