Assessor

$105,922 - $122,874/Yr

The Town of Vernon, CT - Vernon, CT

Full-time - Mid Level

Vernon, CT

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Assessor position is a highly responsible role involving the planning, organizing, and directing of a town-wide program of real and personal property assessment for taxation purposes as prescribed by the Connecticut General Statutes. The Assessor performs related statutory duties and works with considerable independence under the general direction of the Finance Officer. This position directly supervises the Deputy Assessor, Administrative Technicians, and clerical staff in the functional areas of appraisal, assessment, and clerical duties, ensuring that work is planned and organized in accordance with charter and statutory deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and leads in the valuing of taxable property to establish the Grand List.
• Administers the activities of the Office in the functional areas of appraisal, assessment, and recording of taxable and nontaxable property.
• Performs inspections of existing properties, improved properties, and properties under construction to determine value.
• Collects data on a timely basis from residential condominium complexes in compliance with the hydrant and streetlight reimbursement program.
• Maintains and updates information such as maps, drawings, and records concerning land and land development, motor vehicles, and personal properties that affect values.
• Projects estimated values of proposed building or commercial developments for planning purposes.
• Supervises maintenance of records and lists for absolute accuracy.
• Coordinates activities with Collector of Revenue and Town Clerk to assure uniformity in collection and recording of information.
• Supervises contracted appraisal services and revaluation services and is responsible for acceptance of contracted work.
• Oversees and serves as liaison for GIS program.
• Oversees, reviews, and records authorized tax exemptions.
• Administers elderly tax exemption programs for owners based on income and age eligibility requirements.
• Serves as principal spokesperson of town in litigation arising out of the assessment process.
• Prepares Request for Proposals (RFP) for programs under the purview of assessment.
• Prepares and submits office budget recommendations and administers approved budget.
• Plans and implements new office procedures.
• Submits regular and annual reports to the State, Mayor, Town Administrator, Finance Officer, and Town Council.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Real Estate, or a closely related field.
• At least five (5) years of experience in real and personal property appraisal work, including two years of municipal assessment work with two years in a supervisory position.
• Certification by the Connecticut Association of Assessing Offices as a Certified Connecticut Assessor and/or certification by the International Association of Assessment offices as a Certified Assessment Evaluator.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Thorough knowledge of the theory, principles, methods, and techniques of real and personal property valuation for assessment purposes.
• Ability to interpret assessment law under Connecticut Statutes.
• Knowledge of data processing applications pertaining to assessment methods.
• Ability to apply principles of assessment to solve practical problems.
• Ability to lead and supervise staff.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in municipal assessment work.
• Relevant work experience in real and personal property appraisal work may be substituted for the above-mentioned college training on a year-for-year basis.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Critical thinking skills with the ability to draw conclusions or approaches to problems to implement solutions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $105,922.20 - $122,874.07.
• 4-day work week.