Land Management Clerk II - County Treasurer's Office

COUNTY OF LAPEER

COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE

LAND MANAGEMENT CLERK II

Salary Rate: Entry $19.02; 6-Months $20.47; Step I $21.89; Step II $23.60; Step III $25.31; Step IV $27.14 - Posting Deadline: February 28 or Position May Remain Open Until Filled. Serious applicants should go to the County website at www.lapeercountymi.gov and complete an Employment Application and email back to employment@lapeercounty.org.

General Summary

Under the supervision of the Chief Deputy Treasurer, collects money for delinquent property taxes, computes and prepares delinquent tax statements, provides information regarding tax matters to the public, issues dog licenses and collects fees, certifies tax deeds, conducts tax searches, receives and accounts for revenues from other county departments, and performs a variety of other activities related to processing and maintaining tax records. Works with local assessors and township supervisors to gather and enter data into Equalization, Tax and/or GIS systems relating to property valuations, sales, adjustments, splits, etc. so that reports and/or maps required by state agencies, the county, and local taxing jurisdictions can be generated. Assists with the annual foreclosure land sale.

Essential Functions

1. Provides information by telephone and in person to local government officials, taxpayers, banks, real estate personnel, title companies, appraisers, attorneys, and other interested parties concerning the assessment and/or tax status of property within the county – millage rates, tax receipts, property descriptions, deeds, and other documents. Explains and clarifies the assessment, principal residence exemption and tax collection process to the public. Answers questions relating to GIS mapping system.

2. Reviews tax records to ensure that all necessary tax information has been accurately documented. Checks real estate documents for proper legal description. Certifies deeds, a process that includes checking tax history and determining if legal description on deed is the same as on the tax roll. As necessary, maps legal descriptions.

3. Assists customers by researching the tax status of property, providing the name on the tax roll, taxes paid or due, and amount required for payoff. Examines and verifies property descriptions and previous assessed value, special assessments and millage rates. Updates taxpayer names and addresses and prepares changes for delinquent notices. Prepares, verifies, and corrects interest calculations and distributes delinquent tax notices.

4. Collects and receipts large amounts of money from public and County departments. Collects money for delinquent taxes, and posts to appropriate accounts and tax roll books, includes daily balancing of collections, preparing bank deposit, and verifying that money is distributed to proper accounts. Collects money for plat book sales and dog licenses.

5. Posts paid tax payments to the appropriate delinquent rolls or sale book, stamps “paid”, and prepares a receipt which includes a receipt number and date. Accounts for all receipt numbers in sequential order for state and local audit controls.

6. Conducts tax searches, checking for ownership, tax amounts, state equalized values, and legal descriptions. Provides information to financial institutions and title companies including yearly tax amount, taxable value, state equalized value, exemption status and any delinquent taxes.

7. Prints assessment notices, personal property tax statements, tax bills, tax rolls and delinquent tax rolls for office use and to provide to various local units. Burst rolls and places in binders.

8. Processes “non-sufficient checks”. Voids delinquent tax records, marks delinquent tax reports, and adds fee to delinquent taxes. Sends certified letter and bad check notice to taxpayer and provides documents to the Finance Department. If the customer does not respond in the request time, notifies the Sheriff’s Department so that further action can be taken in the collection process.

9. Processes frequent tax notice mailings (first class and certified mailing) including printing, folding, and stuffing and sealing envelopes.

10. Assists with the annual audit by pulling data, testing financial data for verification, and providing other support.

11. Is the “point of contact” for assessors and local government officials. Maintains assessment, GIS and tax records for specific municipalities from initial import of assessment data to foreclosure. Records include computer files, paper files, correspondence reports, etc. Responsible for importing and verifying information from local units and supplementing with address searches as needed – Register of Deeds, Internet, QVF, etc. Responsible for updating GIS mapping information as property transfer, split, combination, survey and/or plat information is received or errors are discovered through deed certification or tax foreclosure process.

12. Records information concerning changes of assessed values submitted by local assessors, checking entries to ensure balances are correct. Receives notices of Board of Review determinations and changes assessments accordingly. Enters change information in assessment, current tax and, if necessary, GIS and/or delinquent tax system. Prepares tax notice or refund and calculates and processes “charge backs” to local units of government.

13. Interprets and enters data received from local assessors regarding property values to produce a result that complies with limitations established by state statutes as it pertains to property assessment levels.

14. Uses computer programs to review, analyze, and edit data and prepare equalization figures and reports such as the Unit Totals by Classification. Prepares monthly reports for finance department as needed.

15. Collects necessary information and prepares yearly Tax Rate Report. (Apportionment Report). Assists in preparation of tax calculation reports – “Clerks’ Statements” – for local units.

16. Prepares and mails equalization reports. Performs a variety of other support functions such as typing correspondence and other documents, and assisting at the annual land auction.

17. Produces maps, aerial prints, and digital data for sale to municipalities, private industry, and the general public. Collects revenue for items such as maps and aerial prints and maintains an invoice system for products sold.

18. Downloads/installs updates for computer programs as needed and utilizes the internet for research, transmission of data, etc.

19. Provides computer and clerical support to Treasurer/Equalization/GIS department as needed.

20. Verifies/mails/distributes Accounts Payable checks for Finance Department

21. Prepares daily/monthly/yearly reports for Finance Department.

22. Prepares tax notice or refund to taxpayer for Board of Review/Michigan Tax Tribunal determinations.

23. Completes voucher process to taxpayer for tax refund.

24. Calculates/logs/balances/audits monies charged back to local municipalities/ schools/libraries, etc., from Board of Review/Michigan Tax Tribunal determinations.

25. Audits taxpayer homestead percentages, processes homestead questionnaire, approves or denies homestead, bills for denials.

26. Files with Bankruptcy Court to cover taxes in bankruptcy cases. Logs bankruptcy in computer, collects post-bankruptcy payments.

27. Assists at annual land auction.

28. Visits/posts/photographs forfeited properties out in the field.

29. Verifies/certifies election ballot language.

This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted or modified at any time.

Employment Qualifications

Education: High school graduation, or equivalent experience. Prefer additional course work in business/accounting, math, data processing, CAD or related areas.

Experience: Minimum two years, preferred three years of experience working in a treasurer’s office, equalization department, assessor’s office, local government, title company, or similar setting which provided a working knowledge of property assessment and/or tax laws. Advanced knowledge of data processing, word processing and spreadsheet software programs.

Qualifications:

Knowledge of equipment maintenance.

Knowledge of department operations/services and policies.

Knowledge of laws and procedures.

Knowledge of operating computer software and programs.

Knowledge of how to fill out specific forms.

Ability to think on your feet and bring situations to a favorable conclusion.

Ability and knowledge to operate a motor vehicle.

Other Requirements: Prefer Level I certification from the State Assessors Board. If certification is not already held, Level I certification shall be achieved within two years of hiring. Valid Michigan driver’s license.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

Physical Requirements {This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements and working conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements}:

Ability to lift map books and boxes of paper, forms, personal property notices, and rolls weighing up to 30 lbs. from shelves to work area.

Prolonged sitting while entering data to the computer.

Ability to enter and access information to the computer.

Periods of prolonged standing at a counter to receive documents.

Bending and stooping to access departmental files and records and operate equipment.

Working Conditions:

Works in office conditions.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.02 - $27.14 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 457(b)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Treasurer, Equalization or Assessor's Office: 2 years (Preferred)
• accounting: 2 years (Preferred)
• property tax: 2 years (Preferred)
• knowledge of property tax laws: 2 years (Preferred)
• reading property descriptions: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19 - $27