About the Department
FOR BEST CONSIDERATION APPLY BY MAY 27, 2026 ***A RESUME WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF A COMPLETED APPLICATION
Definition: Under general direction of the County Assessor, the Chief Deputy Assessor oversees and coordinates the appraisal and assessment of real and personal property within the county’s jurisdiction to ensure accurate and equitable property valuations. This position is responsible for facilitating property inspections, maintaining accurate property records, assisting the public with assessment related inquiries, and ensuring compliance with New Mexico and McKinley County property tax laws. The Chief Deputy Assessor manages a team of Appraisers and office staff and oversees the day-to-day operations to ensure efficiency and fairness in all property assessments.
Essential Job Functions: Note: This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The list of essential functions below does not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent in this position.
Oversee a team of appraisers, assign tasks, and provide training to ensure consistent and accurate property evaluations.
Responsible for working with the County Manager, Deputy County Manager, County Assessor, Finance Department, and Human Resources Department for annual County and department needs such as reporting, budgeting, and staffing.
Oversee the department’s annual budget to include coordination with the Finance Department for budget adjustments, funding allocation, and management of operational expenses according to approved budget.
Conduct field inspections of properties in McKinley County to assess their market value, considering factors like size, condition, location, and recent sales data.
Use computer-aided mass appraisal (CAMA) systems to analyze property data and calculate accurate property values in line with county standards.
Maintain comprehensive records for properties in McKinley County, including parcel information, legal descriptions, and ownership transfers.
Respond to inquiries from McKinley County property owners, explain valuation methodologies, and address concerns related to property assessments.
Remain apprised of current regulations, legislation, and judicial decisions that may affect department operations; ensuring adherence to New Mexico state laws and McKinley County regulations regarding property tax assessments and valuations; develop policies and systems related to valuation; direct the implementation of procedures and best practices.
Review, investigate, and resolve complaints originating from the public, County Manager’s Office, County Commission, or taxpayer groups.
Direct the processes for mapping, property transfer, record keeping, assessment roll preparation, document control, and exemption processing functions; prepare assessment rolls and other necessary reports for the County Assessor, County Manager’s Office, County Commission, and relevant government agencies.
Assist in the preparation and/or providing oversight and management of cases or litigation that go to hearings.
Work with the Assessor to formulate short and long-range goals and is directly responsible for developing and managing plans to achieve department and county goals.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles and practices of personal property and real property appraisal and valuation
Knowledge of laws regulations and ordinances affecting appraisal processes
Knowledge of real estate market and appraisal techniques
Knowledge of business English, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic math
Knowledge of proper methods to maintain accurate records
Knowledge of general office practices and procedures including the use of general office equipment
Knowledge of basic computer operation, applicable software databases, and spreadsheet applications
Knowledge of CAMA, GIS, and mapping systems to include reading and interpreting legal descriptions.
Knowledge of the State of New Mexico Uniform Coding System, open database conductivity, and other mapping/GIS requirements as required by the NM Property Tax Code.
Knowledge of the NM Property Tax Code requirements for the valuation of taxable property and, USPAP, and the code of ethics of the International Association of Assessing Officers.
Knowledge of procedures for transferring ownership of real estate.
Skilled in applying appraisal principles and techniques to property inspections
Skilled in distinguishing differences in the quality levels of construction and materials
Skilled in reading and interpreting blueprints, maps, and property descriptions
Skilled in researching and analyzing pertinent information and determining value
Ability to organize and prioritize various tasks
Ability to develop and maintain a department budget
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in written form
Ability to prepare high-level professional correspondence and reports
Ability in establishing and maintaining professional, effective, and cooperative working relationships with others
Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines
Ability to use good judgment, and analyze and solve problems
Supervisory Controls: The incumbent performs under the administrative supervision of the County Assessor and Deputy County Manager, who set broad objectives to be achieved and who provide policy guidance. The incumbent carries out assigned duties and responsibilities independently, exercising leadership and supervision in providing work assignments to others, and in assuming the duties of the Assessor in his/her absence. Work requires functioning as a lead worker performing essentially the same work as those directed, and includes overseeing work quality, training, instructing, and scheduling work. Situations that involve controversial or politically sensitive issues are discussed with the Assessor prior to taking action.
Appraisal work is performed independently. Carries out recurring and new assignments. Unusual situations not covered by precedents or past experiences are discussed with specialists from the New Mexico Property Tax Division for guidance. Work is reviewed for compliance with policies and procedures and is evaluated for overall effectiveness.
Working Conditions: Work is generally performed in an office setting. Some field work is required where incumbent is
required to frequently traverse through rough terrain. Must be able to reliably and constantly move between work-related
sites within the county. Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and carrying items weighing up to ten (10) pounds.
Extended periods of sitting per day up to four (4) hours. Occasional climbing of stairs. Must have the physical ability to perform repetitive motions such as typing, and data entry on a computer or handheld device. Work schedule may include irregular hours.
Guidelines: Guidelines include New Mexico State laws, rules and regulations governing this office, including the maintenance of records and methods of valuation of real and personal property. Other guidelines include County policies and procedures, State of New Mexico fiscal, procurement, and property management regulations, rules, and procedures. The incumbent is required to use judgment in the selection and application of available guidelines. When unusual problems require deviation or interpretations, the incumbent forwards proposed solutions to the supervisor. For Appraisal work, guides include New Mexico State manuals, instructions and directives, Marshall and Swift Appraisal Guides, and other texts, reports, and periodic publications. Some guidelines are specific and directly applicable, but other guides are general and may require judgment in extending, modifying, and applying.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, real estate, economics, or closely related field, OR
- Four (4) years of experience directly related to the essential job functions in the field of commercial and residential appraisal, including a New Mexico Certified Appraisal Certificate, OR
- A combination of education and experience to equal four (4 years) of which two (2) years must be in a management or supervisory capacity.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience using Microsoft Suite
- Experience using CAMA (Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal) software
- Experience using Marshall & Swift
- Experience using Eagleview
- Bilingual (Navajo/Spanish)
- Experience working in a county/local government
Certificates and Licenses:
- Must possess a valid Driver’s License at time of employment and be insurable for liability purposes; and must possess a New Mexico Driver’s License within six (6) months of hire date.
Conditions of Employment:
- Completion of IAAO Course 101, within one (1) year of hire
- May be required to pass a post offer-of-employment physical examination
- Final offer of employment is contingent upon favorable background and reference checks
Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.