City Assessor

About the Department

The purpose of this job is to coordinate and direct the operations of the City Assessor's Office.  Supervises the preparation of the City's ad valorem assessment roll, special act assessment rolls, and special assessment rolls.  Performs other duties as set forth in the General Property Tax Act and the City Charter.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Supervises and directs the work of assigned personnel. Delegates, prioritizes and evaluates work of staff, participates in hiring, training and disciplinary actions and conducts performance evaluations.
• Oversees defense of property tax appeals filed with the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Works collaboratively with other jurisdictions on joint appeals.
• Supervises the annual preparation of the City's ad valorem assessment roll.
• Calculates Economic Condition Factors and land values for industrial and commercial property.
• Supervises and directs the effective administration of the duties assigned to the City Assessor's Office related to the City's various economic development incentive programs.  
• Directs the proper application of various tax exemptions, including Principal Residence, Disabled Veterans, Poverty and taxable value uncapping exemptions. 
• Participates in proper application of exemptions applied for under Michigan Compiled Law statutes pertaining to non-profit charitable organizations, religious organizations, hospitals, elderly or handicapped housing, youth organizations and other organizations/entities expressly exempt by statute.
• Supervises and participates in the preparation of various internal/external reports.  
• Develops statistics and other research criteria and data for use in public hearings or in media presentations. Drafts articles and press releases concerning taxable values and appears in public or on electronic media as necessary.
• Reviews statutes and pending property assessment legislation and drafts suggested amendments. Testifies before legislative committees.
• Performs related work as required.

Position Duties

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or other related field involving mathematics supplemented by additional courses in real estate appraisal

• At least seven (7) to nine (9) years of experience in real and personal property appraisal, including supervisory experience 

• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities

• MMAO (4) and PPE certifications

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of basic bookkeeping
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• General Property Tax Act
• Real and personal property appraisal theory  
• Principles and practices of employee supervision
• Michigan Tax Tribunal rules and landmark property tax rulings issued by the Michigan Tax Tribunal, the Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Supreme Court
• Michigan Assessor's Manuals Volume I, II, and III
• Mass and single appraisal principles and techniques
• Applicable software packages 

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships 
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios
• Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments
• Verbal and written communication
• Organization and time management 

• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Analyze appraisals of complex commercial and industrial property
• Read, analyze and implement technical bulletins and directives issued by the Michigan State Tax Commission
• Calculate/implement complicated computations related to loss of personal property/small taxpayer exemptions to ensure proper reimbursements are made to the City
• Read, analyze, comprehend and apply complex legal decisions published by various tax courts including the Michigan Tax Tribunal, the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court

Other Qualifications

We Offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision starting on Day 1
• 6% employee 401a contribution with employer matching (6% or 7% based on bargaining unit)
• Employee & Employer contributions to Retiree Health Savings Account
• Voluntary benefits such as term life insurance, flexible spending accounts, accidental insurance, disability insurance, and deferred compensation plan options
• Twelve Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Paid parking (if applicable)
• Employee Home Ownership Incentive
• Tuition Reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program with free mental health counseling
• Comprehensive Wellness program with a health and wellness incentive
• Employee Discounts and Perks

The City of Grand Rapids does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Please Note: 
This position is subject to the provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement and all relevant civil service rules.  For additional information, links to union agreement and Civil Service Rules are provided below.  

Collective Bargaining Agreements

Civil Service Rules