Special Assistant To The Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ASSESSING
Assistant to the Director of Assessing
DEFINITION
Position is responsible for performing highly responsible administrative and assessing services for the Board of Assessors. Responsibilities include studying trends in the field, planning long-range projects, and recommending policies and standards for performing the work. Work includes assisting the Director of Assessing in setting assessments, performing complex calculations, and preparing for Appellate Tax Board cases and TIF agreements; maintaining and updating town records and databases; processing Excise Tax abatement performing administrative and customer service duties for the office; and supervising and training personnel.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Assists the Director of Assessing with measuring, listing new construction, sub-divisions,personal property, setting assessments for town records, and with all abatement applications.
• Serves as office manager; supervises subordinates and establishes short-range and long-range plans and objectives for the department.
• Maintains knowledge of the market place as it relates to valuation, including researching houses for sale on MLS to correct discrepancies in assessments resulting from homeowners working on homes without permits.
• Assists in the operation, update, and maintenance of the town's CAMA system through building permits, research of sales; correct discrepancies found by researching Norfolk Registry of Deeds.
• Verifies and processes Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, real estate, and personal property abatements regularly.
• Assists the Director of Assessing in calculating the various classification percentages prior to the Board of Assessors setting a tax rate for the Town.
• Assists the Director of Assessing in preparing Appellate Tax Board (ATB) cases, including appearing on behalf of the Town at ATB proceedings.
• Makes site visits to determine validity of abatement requests.
• Assists in the determination of property values by processing building permits and forms of list.
• May act for Director of Assessing during absences.
• Assists the Director of Assessing with measuring and forecasting new growth
• Calculates Business Personal Property from Forms of List that requires knowledge of entity exemptions and what is billable.
• Takes pictures of new construction and imports them to the CAMA system.
• Reads plans and creates CAD drawing that incorporates 3-4 floors into a one-dimensional drawing.
• Reports Real Estate and Motor Vehicle exemptions in the DOR Gateway system for reimbursement to the Town.
• Responsible for all purchases and invoices including entering purchase orders in Munis.
• Processes payroll.
• Performs similar or related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Under general direction, employee plans and prioritizes the majority of work independently, in accordance with standard practices and previous training. Employee is expected to solve most problems of detail or unusual situations by adapting methods or interpreting instructions accordingly. Instructions for new assignments or special projects usually consist of statements of desired objectives, deadlines and priorities. Technical and policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with supervisor.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
The supervisor, as a regular and continuing part of the job, is accountable for the quality and quantity of work done by subordinates and assures the accomplishment of the assigned work in the prescribed manner. The incumbent gives advice and instruction on both administrative and work matters; informs subordinates of organizational policies, goals and procedures; resolves employee complaints and effects disciplinary actions, such as oral warnings and reprimands; has substantial responsibility for technical soundness of subordinates' work.
ACCOUNTABILITY
The nature of the work means that errors in administrative work are not easily detected. Consequences of errors, including inaccurate information, could impact other departments and result in monetary loss, legal repercussions, interruption of service and poor internal or external customer service.
JUDGMENT
The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of policies, practices and precedents which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying federal, state and local regulations.
COMPLEXITY
The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field. Assignments typically involve evaluation and interpretation of factors, conditions or unusual circumstances; inspecting, testing or evaluating compliance with established standards or criteria; gathering, analyzing and evaluating facts or data using specialized fact finding techniques; or determining the methods to accomplish the work.
NATURE AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
Relationships are constantly with co-workers, the public, groups and/or individuals such as peers from other organizations, and representatives of professional organizations. The employee serves as a spokesperson or recognized authority of the organization in matters of substance or considerable importance, including departmental practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. May be required to discuss controversial matters where tact is required to avoid friction and obtain cooperation.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Incumbent has regular access at the departmental level to a variety of confidential information.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree required in economics, finance, business or a related field and three to five years of municipal assessing experience as an Assistant Assessor or related experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
A candidate must have a valid driver's license and Massachusetts Accredited Assessors certification in good standing.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILLS
Knowledge : Knowledge of state and local laws and by-laws, regulations, policies, Department operations and computer programs; knowledge of concepts, practices, tools and methods of appraising as it relates to ad-valor taxation; knowledge and proficient in the use of CAMA software, such as Munis, Viewpoint, Norfolkdeeds, Mass DOT, DOR Gateway, MLS.
Abilities : Ability to read and interpret maps, subdivision plans and building plans accurately; ability to work effectively with the public, contractors, lawyers, and federal, state, and local officials; ability to accomplish complex tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently.
Skills : Strong communication, mathematical, and computer skills. May encounter aggravated customers
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Working conditions involve exposure to elements found in the field, such as work sites, walking property to inspect, construction sites, Appellate Tax Court, etc. Office work is conducted in a typical office setting with general noisy conditions. May encounter aggravated customers.
PHYSICAL, MOTOR, AND VISUAL SKILLS
Physical Skills
Work is typically in an office setting, involving sitting, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. When in the field, may require some agility and physical strength, such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain, or standing or walking most of the work period. Occasionally, work may require lifting heavy objects and carrying them (up to 50 lbs.). There may be need to stretch and reach to retrieve materials.
Motor Skills
Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, using office equipment, including but not limited to telephones, personal computers, handheld technology, and other office equipment. May drive an automobile.
Visual Skills
Visual demands require routinely reading documents, including maps, for general understanding and analytical purposes; ability to use computer and other office equipment; ability to make site visits, view and measure new construction, subdivisions and personal property.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required in economics, finance, business or a related field and three to five years of municipal assessing experience as an Assistant Assessor or related experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. A candidate must have a valid driver's license and Massachusetts Accredited Assessors certification in good standing.
Special Requirements
Please send cover letter, resume and Town Application to:
Meredith Hartling, HR Generalist
801 Washington Street, 2nd Floor
Canton, MA 02021
Email: hr@town.canton.ma.us
Fax: 781-575-6602
AA/EEO
Miscellaneous Information
Hourly Rate: $35.83 - $42.22, with room to grow
40 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Benefits eligible, AFSCME Union position