Assessment Process Specialist

General Definition of Work Performs difficult administrative work coordinating central operations and procedures within the Wright County Assessor's office. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Assistant County Assessor (Commercial). Essential Functions To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Assists in the development and administration of the assessment process; audits property values and classifications produced by Appraisers and Local Assessors; maintains parcel information on all taxable and exempt parcels in the property tax system; coordinates the efforts of all Assessment Staff to ensure data accuracy in the property tax system. Reviews property ownership and mailing address changes on all property types and the effect on property tax programs, classification changes or other changes that are the result of the ownership change; Conducts title research to resolve issues as they relate to classification of the property. Collaborates with Appraisal Staff and other County departments on processing abatements and changes to the assessment, including maintaining the changes in the property tax system. Prepares and generates a variety of standard and custom reports, data extracts, and files to be provided to supervisors, appraisers, the Minnesota Department of Revenue (MNDOR), other County Assessor Departments, or other appropriate individuals or agencies. Acts as a liaison between the Assessor's Office and the MNDOR; responsible for timely Prism Submissions to MNDOR; Processing of electronic Certificates of Real Estate Value (eCRV) including research, verification, determining property type and codes, investigation of financial terms of the sales and calculation of balloon payments; Transfer finalized eCRVs to the state and work with Property Tax Compliance Officer on issues as they arise. Administers State mandated property tax programs and associated legislative changes including, but not limited to the Homestead Market Value Exclusion, Disabled Veterans Market Value Exclusion, Blind and Disabled; develops office procedures regarding these programs; collaborates with necessary resources such as the Veterans Service Officer to administer the programs; Processes all applications determining eligibility and ongoing requirements of the programs. Assists with the administration of Green Acres, Special Ag, Managed Forest, and Plat Law exclusion. Processes new land divisions, combinations, plats, annexations etc.; completing difficult calculations and redistributions of value and classification; Verifies all details of the parcel changes for accuracy, communicating with property owners, closing companies, attorneys and real estate agents; Utilizes GIS and half-section maps for locating and drawing out new boundary lines; Determines how the characteristics of the original parcel should be split amongst the new parcels; Divides the value of the new parcels created, calculating the new land breakdown, estimated market value, values associated with various property tax programs and classifications, while maintaining the current assessment year balance for value and classification. Maintains changes in the property tax system and Computer Aided Mass Appraisal system. Assists Property Appraisers in gathering property information and maintaining records and property data including building sketches, sales summary sheets, building data, photographs, and maps; Assists with field inspections as allowed by State licensing guidelines. Generates maps and research information using the GIS system for appraisers, surveyors, realtors, brokers, attorneys, property owners, and the general public; research GIS errors and correspond with the Surveyor's office to resolve. Provides property tax estimates to closing companies, attorneys, property owners and real estate professionals. Facilitates the assessment year-end process to ensure consistency, accuracy and timeliness for each component of the year-end process; creates data extracts and edits for analyzation of values and classifications; finalizes the annual Valuation Notices to ensure the notices are mailed in a timely fashion according to State statute. Assists in administering Local Board of Appeal and Equalization records; verifies compliance requirements for each district; Submits all required documentation to the MNDOR. Processes accounts payable for the Assessor's Office. Performs other duties and activities as assigned. Minimum Qualifications & Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Education and Experience High school diploma or GED, and three years of related experience specifically in property appraisals, property assessments, legal descriptions, GIS, and title research, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Associates/Technical degree preferred. Special Requirements MN Certified Assessment Technician (CAT )Certification upon hire or within two years of employment. MN Assessment Administration 30 hour training course within two years or employment. MN DOR Tax Calculation Certification within one year of employment. Legal Description training within one year of employment. A valid driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required upon hire. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of the real estate tax system, appraisal, and assessment principles and procedures; knowledge of Minnesota laws, regulations, and programs relating to property taxes and assessment; knowledge of the relationship between the CAMA and Tax systems; knowledge of and ability to use ArcGIS; verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences and exchange and/or convey technical information; reading comprehension skills sufficient to read and interpret a wide variety of technical legal documents; ability to read maps and draw complex legal descriptions and locate properties on maps; interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and/or convey information, give and receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships; skill in the use of standard office equipment, including computer and software programs with advanced Excel skills; ability to learn specialized assessment and appraisal computer systems specific to the County and Department; ability to comprehend State statutes and implement procedures and policy changes within the County; ability to enter data quickly and accurately; ability to make mathematical computations and tabulations with speed and accuracy required for tax purposes; ability to work independently; ability to deal with persons who are emotionally upset; ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines; ability to maintain accurate and complete records and files; ability to train and direct the work of others in an effective and efficient manner conducive to efficient performance and high morale; ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices; ability to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions. Physical Requirements This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and climbing or balancing, frequently requires walking, lifting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling and pushing or pulling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic). Wright County offers an exceptional benefit package including vacation, sick leave and holiday pay. Also included in this benefit package is health, preventative dental and life insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan); deferred compensation plan and Public Employees Retirement (pension).