Real Property Data Specialist - Assessor - COMOT III

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Tippecanoe County provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Field Agent for the Tippecanoe County, Assessors Office, responsible for reviewing properties in person and via aerial photography, entering data, maintaining related records, and assisting the public.

DUTIES:

• Collects real estate, agricultural, and mobile home data according to the State of Indiana’s Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF). Verifies information and computations for accuracy.
• Presents and interprets reassessment information and valuation reports to neighborhoods and the public. 
• Travels to and photographs improvements on assigned parcels according to well defined standards. Maintains database of internal and public photographs though specific file naming and is familiar with various GIS viewers to incorporate oblique and orthogonal aerial photography into the process of physical property review.  
• Maintains and manages tasks using tablet computers in the field and organizes digital and off-site work environment.
• Collects and manages building permit information from various municipal governmental entities.
• Creates digital maps database to enter building permit information, sort and track building permit progress and makes physical inspections of all new construction and accounts for the effect of permits on assessed value in defined area. 
• Creates sketches for structures and improvements including entering data and maintaining applicable records.
• Measures all residential and agricultural properties including houses, patios, garages, room additions, sheds, grades housing, and enters in database. 
• Prepares correction forms upon discovering inaccuracies in the description of physical properties, processes, enters, and mails forms for revised values stemming from making necessary corrections to physical inventory of real estate, forwards copies to taxpayer and Auditor. 
• Organizes subdivision maps and maintaining detailed and up-to-date documents, including adding and removing parcels resulting from splits, subdivisions, and combines to assessment parcel universe and adding ownership and administrative, basic physical, land and valuations data to all new parcels.  
• Maintains and manages upkeep of documentation and maps for state regulated reassessment records for office availability. Explains technicality of assessments according to the State of Indiana’s Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF).
• Answers telephone and engages the public during encounters that occur in public spaces while performing duties. Provides assistance with forms, locating and researching various records, providing information regarding real estate assessments, manufactured housing, plat maps, aerial photography, property filed documents and tax calculations. Provides copies as needed. 
• Analyzes sales data, including differentiates valid or invalid sales data, verifies date for trending commercial, industrial, residential, and agricultural real estate. 
• Interprets statistical data generated during the Ratio Study with public when necessary. 
• Consults with supervisor on proper procedures pertaining to specific cases not covered by regulation or law. 
• Exchanges information with other County departments and assists other County departments with property research and special projects as needed. 
• Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

• High school diploma or HSE.  
• Possession of, or ability to obtain certification as an Indiana certified Level II Assessor or Appraiser Professional within one (1) year of employment and maintaining continuing education requirements. 
• Working knowledge of Indiana Real Property Assessment Manual Guidelines and DLGF principles of securing values for assigned improvements.
• Working knowledge of and ability to read architectural blueprints and drafting and the ability of producing layout and design drawings of residential and agricultural property for measurements and qualitative and quantitative observations. 
• Working knowledge of common construction materials and processes, determining qualitative features of real estate, and making recommendations on architectural grading levels. 
• Working knowledge of standard office procedures, basic computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet, email and Department specific software applications and ability to apply knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks, and operations.
• Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of department policies, procedures and legal requirements and terminology regarding real estate assessment, and ability to prepare, process and maintain property records, including computer files and property record cards.
• Knowledge with ArcGIS mapping tools and ability to incorporate oblique and orthogonal aerial photography.
• Ability to perform physical inspections and account for the effect of all permits on assessed value of defined areas. 
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to State regulations.
• Shall comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct. 
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, appraisers, realtors, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
• Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, often under time pressure of a deadline.
• Ability to work on several tasks at the same time and rapidly for long periods, occasionally under time pressure. 
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written and oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form. 
• Ability to read and interpret aerial photography and plat maps and locate addresses within the County.  
• Ability to perform required arithmetic calculations and accurately measure land and building dimensions.
• Ability to physically perform assigned duties, including driving for long periods, far vision, hearing sounds/communications, depth perception, handling/grasping objects, sitting/standing/walking for long periods, pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying objects weighing less than 25 pounds, reaching, bending, keyboarding, and kneeling/crouching.
• Ability to occasionally works extended hours and travel out of town for training and meetings, sometimes overnight.
• Possession of a valid Indiana driver’s license and a demonstrated safe driving record. 

II. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent performs standard, recurring duties according to Indiana State guidelines and codes and department policies and procedures with priorities primarily determined by service needs of the public and seasonal deadlines. Incumbent receives indirect supervision with work reviewed for technical accuracy and appropriate service to the public in determining assessments. Incumbent plans own workflow in conjunction with other members of the staff. Errors in incumbent's work are usually prevented through procedural safeguards. Undetected errors may result in loss of time for correction, loss of money and/or inconvenience to other agencies or the public.

III. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains communication with co-workers, other County departments, appraisers, realtors, and the public for purposes of exchanging information and explaining and interpreting State codes, policies, and procedures.

Incumbent reports directly to Project Manager.

IV. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment, outdoors, and on building sites, involving driving for long periods, far vision, hearing sounds/communications, depth perception, handling/grasping objects, sitting/standing/walking for long periods, speaking clearly, pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying objects weighing less than 25 pounds, reaching, bending, keyboarding, and kneeling/crouching. Incumbent may be exposed to traffic, noise, grease, dirt, dust, fumes, extreme temperatures, and inclement weather. 

Incumbent is occasionally required to work extended hours and travel out of town for training and meetings, sometimes overnight.