What are the responsibilities and job description for the Appeals Administrator position at Douglas County Government (CO)?
This position is responsible for the oversight of appeal functions within the Assessor’s Office and the management of staff in the organization and processing of appeals. The levels of appeals included are Assessor-level, County Board of Equalization, Colorado State Board of Assessment Appeals, Binding Arbitration, District Court, and Abatements. Work involves planning, organizing, directing, negotiating, collaborating, and oversight of complex appraisal work. Ninety percent of the work involves administrative analysis and oversight.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (The following examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive. The Assessor reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time.)
• Prioritize, plan and coordinate appeal workload to comply with Assessor statutory deadlines and obligations.
• Serve in an administrative role for Assessor-level appeals, working with other supervisors and their staff to ensure that appropriate training occurs, and the process is organized and conducted in accordance with state statute and Office policy. Administrative oversight includes appeal scheduling, and tracking.
• Supervise clerical staff in their organization and coordination of appeals. Supervisory duties include hiring, performance management and employee development such as planning, coaching, and performance evaluations as well as disciplinary and termination decisions.
• Provide direction to appraisal staff in developing successful tools and techniques to respond to assessment appeals at all levels including appraisal report development and expert testimony.
• Communicate with property owners and their agents; assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, explain and/or discuss applicable laws and codes while providing quality customer service. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with regular customers to appeals process such as tax agents and subdivision developers. Serve as primary contact for settlement discussions with property owners and tax agents.
• Collaborate with County Administration Department for County Board of Equalization (CBOE) appeals, ensuring that mutually beneficial communication occurs between the Assessor’s Office and that department. Work directly with CBOE administrator to resolve issues related to hearing scheduling, petitioner questions and conflicts, hearing officer decision analysis, hearing officer hiring analysis, and hearing officer training and preparation. Work closely with Assessor analyst staff, County IT staff and the County CBOE Administrator in projects related to innovation and improvement of CBOE systems.
• Work in partnership with the County Attorney and Assistant County Attorneys on state-level appeals, binding arbitration, district court cases and abatement petitions. Employ negotiation skills with property owners and their agents to facilitate the successful and mutually beneficial outcome of appeals. Discuss guidelines, interpretations and appraisal techniques. May provide “Expert Testimony” in abatements, State Board of Assessment Appeals, arbitration, and court cases.
• Provide training to appraisal staff regarding procedure changes, laws, regulations, appraisal techniques and methods, and the use of a variety of references to determine assessed value for appeals purposes. Utilize resources including, but not limited to, cost and construction manuals, market comparables, USPAP, and the State Division of Property Taxation manual (Assessor’s Reference Library).
• Work with the Appraisal Solutions Administrator and Assessor management to develop and provide effective training sessions for Assessor staff on appeals-related software systems such as Realware Appeals, online appeals, CBOE, SharePoint for BAA and related future applications.
• Work with the Assessor, Deputy Assessor, Senior Computer Systems Analyst and the IT Project Manager liaison to respond to technical breakdowns in current appeals software, appeals processes, data systems.
• Assist with identification of future needs with respect to appeal processing. Assist the team in the evaluation, acquisition and implementation of future enterprise appeals software.
• Work with the County Assessor and Deputy Assessor to develop strategies for improving customer service, increasing productivity, improving communication between teams and departments, creating innovations, improving business processes and performing other activities to advance the mission and objectives of the Assessor’s office and of Douglas County.
• Work with the Assessor, Deputy Assessor, Senior Computer Systems Analyst and internal technical staff to develop appeal-related data quality control mechanisms and to generally improve and maintain the effectiveness of all appeal systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Under general supervision, the employee receives assignments and is expected to carry them through to completion with substantial independence. Work is reviewed for adherence to instruction, accuracy, completeness, and conformance to standard practice or precedent. Recurring work clearly covered by guidelines may or may not be reviewed.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position directly supervises an Assessment Technician, and working with their supervisors, indirectly oversees the work product of appraisal and clerical staff involved with the various stages of appeals.
CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR: Consequence of error may result in the incorrect assessment of property value resulting in loss of revenue to the County, or inequity to the taxpayer, non-compliance with State reporting requirements, or non-compliance with State statute. Incorrect property values carry the added expense of defending values at all levels of appeal. Inaccurate property values adversely impact public perception of local government.
CONTACTS: This position has daily contact with co-workers, supervisors, representatives of County departments and other agencies, and regular substantial contact with property owners, tax agents, realtors, developers, builders, appeal referees, arbitrators, municipal building and planning departments, Division of Property Taxation staff, and Board of Assessment Appeals staff.
MINIMUM QUALFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION: A Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Real Estate, Finance or related fields. Eight years of professional appraisal experience may substitute for this education requirement, with an emphasis in Ad Valorem / Mass Appraisal preferred, including supervisory duties, or an equivalent combination.
EXPERIENCE:
Knowledge: Understanding of real estate principles, practices and markets; familiarity with relevant Colorado Statutes, case law, and ARL guidelines; understanding of the Sales Comparison and Cost approaches to value, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge when communicating for purposes of property appeals; knowledge of construction materials and methods; understanding of neighborhood valuation analysis and delineation, as well as time(market) trending and multiple regression analysis; understanding and experience with CAMA software; clearly demonstrated comfort and ability with hardware and software technology.
Ad Valorem Experience: Has completed no less than two reappraisal cycles in the Douglas County Assessor’s Office, or a comparable office within the State of Colorado.
Skills: (Language and math) Strong understanding of computer software, including Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) applications, file management, internet, and email. Able to analyze and interpret profit/loss statements, rent rolls, income and expense statements and other financial documents. Able to solve practical problems by appropriately choosing from a variety of mathematical techniques. Expresses ideas and facts to individuals or groups in a succinct and organized manner, listens to others and facilitates an open exchange of ideas. Recognizes and uses correct English grammar, punctuation and spelling; produces written information that is appropriate for the intended audience. Makes sound, well informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action to accomplish goals; embraces change.
Abilities: (Reasoning) Sets well-defined and realistic individual goals, displays a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely, accurate manner; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior. Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
Integrity and Honesty: Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self and others; is trustworthy.
Independent Judgment: Exercises initiative and independent judgment in establishing and implementing work methods and procedures within established policy.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:
Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of hire, with complying insurance. Review of motor vehicle record is required at time of hire and periodically throughout employment.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, organizations and the public. The ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals and interests is critical to the success of this position. Interacts with others to influence, motivate, and challenge them; adapts leadership style to a variety of situations. Consistently demonstrates a level of proficiency performing the Essential Duties of this job classification.
For more information on job functions, requirements and to apply please visit: https://douglasco.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/5/home/requisition/3152?c=douglasco
Douglas County offers an excellent comprehensive benefit package including but not limited to: Medical/Dental/Vision.
For a more detailed overview please view the full Employee Benefit Guide.
• Prioritize, plan and coordinate appeal workload to comply with Assessor statutory deadlines and obligations.
• Serve in an administrative role for Assessor-level appeals, working with other supervisors and their staff to ensure that appropriate training occurs, and the process is organized and conducted in accordance with state statute and Office policy. Administrative oversight includes appeal scheduling, and tracking.
• Supervise clerical staff in their organization and coordination of appeals. Supervisory duties include hiring, performance management and employee development such as planning, coaching, and performance evaluations as well as disciplinary and termination decisions.
• Provide direction to appraisal staff in developing successful tools and techniques to respond to assessment appeals at all levels including appraisal report development and expert testimony.
• Communicate with property owners and their agents; assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, explain and/or discuss applicable laws and codes while providing quality customer service. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with regular customers to appeals process such as tax agents and subdivision developers. Serve as primary contact for settlement discussions with property owners and tax agents.
• Collaborate with County Administration Department for County Board of Equalization (CBOE) appeals, ensuring that mutually beneficial communication occurs between the Assessor’s Office and that department. Work directly with CBOE administrator to resolve issues related to hearing scheduling, petitioner questions and conflicts, hearing officer decision analysis, hearing officer hiring analysis, and hearing officer training and preparation. Work closely with Assessor analyst staff, County IT staff and the County CBOE Administrator in projects related to innovation and improvement of CBOE systems.
• Work in partnership with the County Attorney and Assistant County Attorneys on state-level appeals, binding arbitration, district court cases and abatement petitions. Employ negotiation skills with property owners and their agents to facilitate the successful and mutually beneficial outcome of appeals. Discuss guidelines, interpretations and appraisal techniques. May provide “Expert Testimony” in abatements, State Board of Assessment Appeals, arbitration, and court cases.
• Provide training to appraisal staff regarding procedure changes, laws, regulations, appraisal techniques and methods, and the use of a variety of references to determine assessed value for appeals purposes. Utilize resources including, but not limited to, cost and construction manuals, market comparables, USPAP, and the State Division of Property Taxation manual (Assessor’s Reference Library).
• Work with the Appraisal Solutions Administrator and Assessor management to develop and provide effective training sessions for Assessor staff on appeals-related software systems such as Realware Appeals, online appeals, CBOE, SharePoint for BAA and related future applications.
• Work with the Assessor, Deputy Assessor, Senior Computer Systems Analyst and the IT Project Manager liaison to respond to technical breakdowns in current appeals software, appeals processes, data systems.
• Assist with identification of future needs with respect to appeal processing. Assist the team in the evaluation, acquisition and implementation of future enterprise appeals software.
• Work with the County Assessor and Deputy Assessor to develop strategies for improving customer service, increasing productivity, improving communication between teams and departments, creating innovations, improving business processes and performing other activities to advance the mission and objectives of the Assessor’s office and of Douglas County.
• Work with the Assessor, Deputy Assessor, Senior Computer Systems Analyst and internal technical staff to develop appeal-related data quality control mechanisms and to generally improve and maintain the effectiveness of all appeal systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Under general supervision, the employee receives assignments and is expected to carry them through to completion with substantial independence. Work is reviewed for adherence to instruction, accuracy, completeness, and conformance to standard practice or precedent. Recurring work clearly covered by guidelines may or may not be reviewed.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position directly supervises an Assessment Technician, and working with their supervisors, indirectly oversees the work product of appraisal and clerical staff involved with the various stages of appeals.
CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR: Consequence of error may result in the incorrect assessment of property value resulting in loss of revenue to the County, or inequity to the taxpayer, non-compliance with State reporting requirements, or non-compliance with State statute. Incorrect property values carry the added expense of defending values at all levels of appeal. Inaccurate property values adversely impact public perception of local government.
CONTACTS: This position has daily contact with co-workers, supervisors, representatives of County departments and other agencies, and regular substantial contact with property owners, tax agents, realtors, developers, builders, appeal referees, arbitrators, municipal building and planning departments, Division of Property Taxation staff, and Board of Assessment Appeals staff.
MINIMUM QUALFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION: A Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Real Estate, Finance or related fields. Eight years of professional appraisal experience may substitute for this education requirement, with an emphasis in Ad Valorem / Mass Appraisal preferred, including supervisory duties, or an equivalent combination.
EXPERIENCE:
Knowledge: Understanding of real estate principles, practices and markets; familiarity with relevant Colorado Statutes, case law, and ARL guidelines; understanding of the Sales Comparison and Cost approaches to value, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge when communicating for purposes of property appeals; knowledge of construction materials and methods; understanding of neighborhood valuation analysis and delineation, as well as time(market) trending and multiple regression analysis; understanding and experience with CAMA software; clearly demonstrated comfort and ability with hardware and software technology.
Ad Valorem Experience: Has completed no less than two reappraisal cycles in the Douglas County Assessor’s Office, or a comparable office within the State of Colorado.
Skills: (Language and math) Strong understanding of computer software, including Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) applications, file management, internet, and email. Able to analyze and interpret profit/loss statements, rent rolls, income and expense statements and other financial documents. Able to solve practical problems by appropriately choosing from a variety of mathematical techniques. Expresses ideas and facts to individuals or groups in a succinct and organized manner, listens to others and facilitates an open exchange of ideas. Recognizes and uses correct English grammar, punctuation and spelling; produces written information that is appropriate for the intended audience. Makes sound, well informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action to accomplish goals; embraces change.
Abilities: (Reasoning) Sets well-defined and realistic individual goals, displays a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely, accurate manner; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior. Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
Integrity and Honesty: Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self and others; is trustworthy.
Independent Judgment: Exercises initiative and independent judgment in establishing and implementing work methods and procedures within established policy.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:
Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of hire, with complying insurance. Review of motor vehicle record is required at time of hire and periodically throughout employment.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, organizations and the public. The ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals and interests is critical to the success of this position. Interacts with others to influence, motivate, and challenge them; adapts leadership style to a variety of situations. Consistently demonstrates a level of proficiency performing the Essential Duties of this job classification.
For more information on job functions, requirements and to apply please visit: https://douglasco.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/5/home/requisition/3152?c=douglasco
Douglas County offers an excellent comprehensive benefit package including but not limited to: Medical/Dental/Vision.
For a more detailed overview please view the full Employee Benefit Guide.
Salary : $92,951 - $139,426