Chief Assessor

Overview: We are seeking a dedicated, knowledgeable, and highly organized Chief Assessor to join our county team. This key leadership position is responsible for overseeing the county’s property assessment operations, ensuring accurate and timely assessment records, administering assessment procedures in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and providing professional service to county officials, municipalities, property owners, and the general public. The Chief Assessor will provide leadership and oversight of the assessment office, supervise staff, coordinate assessment\-related functions, and ensure that property records and valuations are maintained accurately and consistently. The position requires sound judgment, strong attention to detail, excellent organizational and communication skills, and the ability to interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations, and assessment standards. The ideal candidate will be committed to maintaining accurate and equitable property assessments, providing responsive public service, protecting the integrity of county assessment records, and ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the Assessment Office. WORK SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM (One\-hour unpaid lunch daily) COMPENSATION \& BENEFITS: Forest County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as life insurance and enrollment in the County’s retirement plan. Employees receive 17 days of paid PTO/sick leave upon hire. PTO accrual increases with years of service. In addition, employees receive 13 paid holidays annually. POSITION OVERVIEW: The Chief Assessor position oversees the operations of the Tax Assessment Office; supervises the work and department staff of the office; evaluates Forest County real estate in order to create a tax value on land, buildings and improvements; and transfers ownership of properties in accordance with applicable State and County regulations. The Chief Assessor shall be responsible for and oversee the field assessing of all property in the County of Forest. Monitors office procedures and creates new procedures as necessary to increase operational efficiency or to accommodate new requirements. Implements and updates department policies in order to provide consistency and allow the office to run more efficiently. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Any combination equivalent to education and experience that provides the required skill and knowledge is qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to: Associates Degree in business, geology, or related field, preferred. Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator required. Qualified candidate should have experience in using computers as well as Microsoft Word and Excel, and accurate use of calculators. 1\-2 years of previous tax department experience with mapping, assessments and assessment law is preferred. EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess the ability to pay close attention to detail and concentrate in a moderately stressful environment. The employee must have the ability to function independently, have flexibility and the ability to work effectively with the public, co\-workers and others. Must possess the ability to maintain confidentiality with regard to public and department information and tax records. The individual in this position must possess a basic knowledge of legal terminology and property tax terms along with knowledge of accepted office practices and procedures. The employee in this position will, at times, deal with emotional, possibly irate individuals and must have the ability to deal effectively with the situation. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: An employee in this classification is responsible for evaluating and assessing property in accordance with current tax assessment laws and regulations. Specific job duties include: · Supervises and directs daily assignments and functions of the department clerk · Oversees the assessment of all real property within the County. · Analyzes, evaluates and assesses property, changes or appeals on property and assures records are properly recorded. · Maintains Per Capita roll. · Must possess the ability to act independently when the circumstances require it. · Assists in the development of the annual budget in coordination with the Chief Clerk. · Provides real estate tax base figures and statistics to determine how much revenue is generated from real estate and per capita taxes. · Calculates assessed value of land and improvements. · Ensures a uniform permanent records system for the County and such other maps, plans, surveys and records as may be deemed necessary to secure a proper and equitable assessment. · Manages and maintains the tax assessment and remote collector’s software. · Answers questions and resolves problems regarding real estate and valuations to property owners and the general public; directs issues to appropriate individuals for resolution. · Must possess the ability to interact effectively with external companies, department staff, other County departments, state and federal offices. · Ability to operate office equipment to include: computer, copy, scanner and fax machine in order to perform the functions of the job · Attends necessary training and continuing education courses as required. · Must possess the ability to plan and coordinate the work of the department. · Serves as liaison to the Board of Assessment Appeals. This involves the following duties: assists with interpretations from individual hearings; oversees the implementation of the Board’s decisions accurately and immediately. · Facilitates the annual production of County Real Estate, Per Capita, Library and School tax bills; ensures the accurate and timely distribution of county and school tax bill data to approved vendor. · Ensures that all staff is properly trained in their respective functions. · Monitors LERTA (Local Economic Revitalization Tax Act) Resolutions and LERTA Exceptions and maintains all adjustments to the County’s records. · Maintains PURTA (Public Utility Realty Tax Act) reports. · Maintains STEB reports. · Oversees the Homestead/Farmstead program. · Defend Forest County’s assessed values in court related appeal hearings; may be required to testify in any Tax Revenue related court proceeding. WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL STANDARDS: The work environment and physical demand characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must possess the ability to record, convey and present information, must be able to sit/stand for long periods throughout the workday, with intermittent periods of standing, walking, bending, twisting and reaching, as necessary, light work, with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with weights of approximately up to thirty pounds; must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work, must be able to use a computer, write, talk and hear. The noise level in the work environment is moderate. The employee must be able to cope with the physical and mental stress of the position. Work environment is a clean, climate\-controlled office setting. Work requires a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and reliable transportation. This job requires periodic travel with exposure to the elements and possible extreme hot or cold conditions. Must be able to traverse uneven ground and have the ability to navigate around the county to locate properties. This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow other instructions and perform any other duties as required. Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible schedule Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Referral program Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Work Location: In person