City of South Portland
ASSESSOR
Job Description
Nature and Variety of Work:
The Assessor is responsible for the planning and supervision of the appraisal of real and personal property for assessment purposes for the City of South Portland and City of Westbrook
This is specialized administrative and technical work in the evaluation and assessment of real and personal property.
Responsibility and Supervisory Relationships:
The Assessor works under general supervision of the City of South Portland Finance Director. The Assessor is responsible for the administration of both cities city-wide Appraisal/Assessing system and supervision of the departmental staff which includes Deputy Assessor, Appraisers, and an Administrative Assistant.
Essential Job Functions:
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following for both South Portland and Westbrook:
Develops and implements a mass appraisal program to appraise all real and personal property for property tax purposes; developing all building cost and land valuation tables as needed.
Supervises the systematic review of all transfers of ownership of real and personal property; developing and carrying out all necessary recordkeeping for future reference.
Supervises the annual development of changes to the municipality’s tax maps considering such information as deeds and boundary surveys.
Reviews all exemption applications and renders a decision under the guidelines of the applicable State laws.
Supervises the revaluation of real and personal property.
Ability to answer all complaints of over-assessment and defends assessments as necessary.
Prepares and administers the department’s budget.
Prepares estimates of City-side valuations for use by the South Portland and Westbrook City Councils for budget appropriations.
Prepares necessary federal, state and local reports.
Maintains a list of all exempt properties.
Completes annual Municipal Valuation Return and Sales Ratio Study for Maine Revenue Service.
Ability to work cooperatively, effectively and productively with supervisors, co-workers, taxpayers and the general public.
Skills Required:
Excellent customer service skills with the ability to proactively establish and maintain effective working relationships with business executives, associates, employees, federal, state, regional and local agencies and the general public.
Thorough knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques of real and personal property assessment and valuation.
Considerable knowledge of the Charter provisions, ordinances and general law governing real and personal property, assessment, and statutory exemptions.
Ability to analyze factors which may influence the value of property and to exercise judgment in determining property values and changes in City structures and physical properties.
Considerable knowledge of the geographic layout of the cities of South Portland and Westbrook.
Ability to lead, manage, motivate and direct the activities of department personnel.
Knowledge of Maine statues, zoning ordinances and policies and procedures of property tax laws.
Facilitation skills with the ability to successfully communicate ideas and concepts effectively at various boards and committees.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong records management and maintenance skills.
Strong computer skills and software knowledge.
Remain flexible to ever-changing situations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Perform other relevant duties as may be assigned.
Education AndNecessary Special Requirements:
Certified Maine Assessor designation.
Tools and Equipment Used:
Personal Computer, including Microsoft Office, Vision Appraisal software, MUNIS, telephone, calculator, copy machine, and fax machine.
Physical Demands:
Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may be required to push, pull lift, and/or carry up to 10 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
Hours of work are as necessary to accomplish the position’s responsibilities. They will often be longer than normal office hours and will occasionally include evenings, and regular attendance is a high pre-requisite to maintaining the position.
The physical demands and work environment described here are representatives of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Fair Labor Standards Designations:
The position is an exempt position.
Position Grade:
The Assessor position is grade is P.
Department:
South Portland Finance
Effective Date:
January 8, 2016
The statements contained herein reflect general duties as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.