Job Description

Work involves responsibility for assisting the County Equalization Director in planning, organizing, and directing a program of continued appraisal and assessment of real and personal property in local units under contract with Ottawa County, to provide local assessment administrative functions. Work may also involve occasional special reassessment projects. Responsible for aiding the County Equalization Director in the formulation of local property tax administration policies, planning long-term programs, reviewing techniques and procedures used in evaluation of all types of property, and in the supervision of local assessment administration staff personnel. Work is performed independently under the direction of the County Equalization Director.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following:

• Assists in planning, organizing, directing, and reviewing property appraisal and reappraisal of properties and the work of property appraisers and clerical employees engaged in the valuation of real and personal property, in reporting, filing and factual verification work and in preparation of assessment rolls.
• Assists in the review of technical decisions made by subordinates; determines the assessments of major properties.
• Plans, organizes, and administers the appraisal and assessment of all industrial, commercial or residential real and personal property within the local unit boundaries; sets annual goals for appraisal staff and maintains appraisal schedule which falls within state specified limits; reviews work submitted by subordinates.
• Reviews and makes determination on all requests for property tax exemption; prepares special assessment rolls; coordinates defense during hearings before the Board of Review, Michigan Tax Tribunal and other appellate courts; appears as special witness during hearings; responds to questions from the public concerning property valuation.
• Provides detailed information to the local unit Treasurers under contract with the County to assist them in the collection of property taxes; reviews legislation, changes in assessment proceedings and court decisions to determine any impact on real property appraisal methods; administers the Commercial and Industrial Facilities Tax Abatement program as they relate to real and personal property.
• Provides direct supervision for subordinate staff, including selection, hiring and termination; training, scheduling and provision of work assignments; performance management; administration of policy and procedure; and administration of discipline.
• Helps support an equitable, safe, diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Must have a minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience as a local unit assessor or assistant assessor with a municipality/local government. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Management or possession of state certified Real Estate Appraiser Designation form the State Board of Real Estate Appraisers strongly preferred.

Required Certification and Licenses:

Must possess and maintain certification as a Michigan Advanced Assessing Officer and personal property examiner by the Michigan State Tax Commission. Valid Michigan Driver’s License.

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of all aspects of local unit assessment administration.
• Demonstrate considerable independent judgment and knowledge in performance of assigned duties.
• Extensive knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of real and personal property valuation. This includes knowledge of current socio-economic conditions, trends affecting property appraisal, and statistical analysis.
• Ability to coordinate, direct, and review the work of others.
• Thorough knowledge of local government finance and property tax administration in Michigan, the Michigan General Property Tax Act as amended and related statutes, the Michigan tax calendar, assessment administration and public relations, equalization, real property descriptions, and vacant land valuation.
• Ability to prepare and present coherent, accurate testimony before the Board of Review, Michigan Tax Tribunal, court of Law or other official commission concerning real and personal property appraisal.
• Considerable knowledge of the use of personal computers and related software.
• Ability to interact positively and professionally with property owners, accountants, third-party tax preparers, community and business representatives, real estate professionals, local assessors, other local government employees and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Physical Requirements:

• Must possess sufficient mobility with or without assistive devices to access all natural features, structures and/or improvements on developed and undeveloped agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial and timber cutover parcels being appraised.
• Must have sufficient mobility with or without assistive devices to access all features of structures located on parcels being appraised.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity with or without corrective lenses to visually inspect property being appraised.
• Must be able to descend to and ascend from ground/floor level to take measurements and to inspect soil and geological land features; building foundations and other structural features, and other features of land and structures being appraised.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to inclement weather conditions.
• Must be able to access and move tax rolls, maps and other items weighing up to 25 lbs.

Working Conditions:

A significant portion of the workload is performed outdoors and/or off-site. Essential job functions may require incidental exposure to inclement weather conditions, airborne particulates and contaminants, industrial chemicals and compounds, livestock and other animals, and other unpleasant or hazardous working conditions. Site appraisals involve an inherent risk of confrontation with uncooperative or aggressive property owners or occupants.

Job Description

Work involves responsibility for assisting the County Equalization Director in planning, organizing, and directing a program of continued appraisal and assessment of real and personal property in local units under contract with Ottawa County, to provide local assessment administrative functions. Work may also involve occasional special reassessment projects. Responsible for aiding the County Equalization Director in the formulation of local property tax administration policies, planning long-term programs, reviewing techniques and procedures used in evaluation of all types of property, and in the supervision of local assessment administration staff personnel. Work is performed independently under the direction of the County Equalization Director.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following:

• Assists in planning, organizing, directing, and reviewing property appraisal and reappraisal of properties and the work of property appraisers and clerical employees engaged in the valuation of real and personal property, in reporting, filing and factual verification work and in preparation of assessment rolls.
• Assists in the review of technical decisions made by subordinates; determines the assessments of major properties.
• Plans, organizes, and administers the appraisal and assessment of all industrial, commercial or residential real and personal property within the local unit boundaries; sets annual goals for appraisal staff and maintains appraisal schedule which falls within state specified limits; reviews work submitted by subordinates.
• Reviews and makes determination on all requests for property tax exemption; prepares special assessment rolls; coordinates defense during hearings before the Board of Review, Michigan Tax Tribunal and other appellate courts; appears as special witness during hearings; responds to questions from the public concerning property valuation.
• Provides detailed information to the local unit Treasurers under contract with the County to assist them in the collection of property taxes; reviews legislation, changes in assessment proceedings and court decisions to determine any impact on real property appraisal methods; administers the Commercial and Industrial Facilities Tax Abatement program as they relate to real and personal property.
• Provides direct supervision for subordinate staff, including selection, hiring and termination; training, scheduling and provision of work assignments; performance management; administration of policy and procedure; and administration of discipline.
• Helps support an equitable, safe, diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Must have a minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience as a local unit assessor or assistant assessor with a municipality/local government. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Management or possession of state certified Real Estate Appraiser Designation form the State Board of Real Estate Appraisers strongly preferred.

Required Certification and Licenses:

Must possess and maintain certification as a Michigan Advanced Assessing Officer and personal property examiner by the Michigan State Tax Commission. Valid Michigan Driver’s License.

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of all aspects of local unit assessment administration.
• Demonstrate considerable independent judgment and knowledge in performance of assigned duties.
• Extensive knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of real and personal property valuation. This includes knowledge of current socio-economic conditions, trends affecting property appraisal, and statistical analysis.
• Ability to coordinate, direct, and review the work of others.
• Thorough knowledge of local government finance and property tax administration in Michigan, the Michigan General Property Tax Act as amended and related statutes, the Michigan tax calendar, assessment administration and public relations, equalization, real property descriptions, and vacant land valuation.
• Ability to prepare and present coherent, accurate testimony before the Board of Review, Michigan Tax Tribunal, court of Law or other official commission concerning real and personal property appraisal.
• Considerable knowledge of the use of personal computers and related software.
• Ability to interact positively and professionally with property owners, accountants, third-party tax preparers, community and business representatives, real estate professionals, local assessors, other local government employees and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Physical Requirements:

• Must possess sufficient mobility with or without assistive devices to access all natural features, structures and/or improvements on developed and undeveloped agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial and timber cutover parcels being appraised.
• Must have sufficient mobility with or without assistive devices to access all features of structures located on parcels being appraised.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity with or without corrective lenses to visually inspect property being appraised.
• Must be able to descend to and ascend from ground/floor level to take measurements and to inspect soil and geological land features; building foundations and other structural features, and other features of land and structures being appraised.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to inclement weather conditions.
• Must be able to access and move tax rolls, maps and other items weighing up to 25 lbs.

Working Conditions:

A significant portion of the workload is performed outdoors and/or off-site. Essential job functions may require incidental exposure to inclement weather conditions, airborne particulates and contaminants, industrial chemicals and compounds, livestock and other animals, and other unpleasant or hazardous working conditions. Site appraisals involve an inherent risk of confrontation with uncooperative or aggressive property owners or occupants.

Ottawa County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Unclassified Benefits Summary for more information.
The current Unclassified group manual can be viewed here.
The Ottawa County Universal Wage Scale can be found here.