The Town of Brookline is seeking an Assistant Assessor - Residential/Commercial to perform complex administrative, professional, and supervisory work in analyzing valuation data. The Assistant Assessor supervises, operates, and maintains data systems for residential, commercial, industrial, personal property and exempt property. Assists with all Appellate Tax Board work including court hearings. Assists in valuing all real property. Assists the Board of Assessors with various aspects of municipal tax assessment; all other related work as required.

Essential Functions:

• Analyzes real estate market conditions and events to determine trends and changes in the market. Collects data from the Planning Board, Building Inspector, Housing Authority, and other boards/officials whose actions may reflect a change in value.
• Identifies exempt property within the Town. Reviews and processes applications for abatement and exemption of property tax to determine eligibility; makes recommendations to the Board. Supervises and reviews the statutory filings of the elderly, widows, and veterans to determine eligibility and appropriateness, making recommendations to the Chief Assessor and Board of Assessors.
• Supervises, coordinates and directs staff in implementing residential exemption; this requires periodic review, inspection, and updating.
• Assists with field functions in valuing residential, commercial, industrial properties. Supervises, coordinates, and reviews personal property valuation.
• Assists in the inspection and measuring of real and personal property in order to estimate fair market value for taxation purposes. Computes valuations and assessments, using standard tables and formulas.
• Annually inspects and values all additions, alterations, and deletions to any taxable property, advising the Board of Assessors as to the property assessment.
• Prepares, and supplies information and support material for the annual classification meeting with the Board of Assessors and the Board of Selectmen.
• Participates in posting, balancing and reconciling valuations in setting the tax rate, prior to state certification. Participates in preparing the tax recap sheets, and produces any other reports as requested by the Board of Assessors.
• Directs field inspectors and assigns neighborhood responsibilities. Reviews field inspectors’ data changes for consistency and accuracy.
• Supervises, operates and maintains data systems for the department.
• Maintains and updates property record files; enters data and information into either the manual or computer file. Performs data entry of building permits and sales inspections.
• Reviews and processes applications for abatement and exemption of property tax to determine eligibility; makes recommendations to the Board. Compiles and prepares comparative cost and sales studies. Prepares support material for Appellate Court cases under the direction of the Assessor – Commercial Valuation Director.
• Provides information and assistance to property owners and other regarding the town’s assessment policies and procedures, the determination of specific valuations, tax abatements, and exemptions. Assists the public in locating property on Assessor’s maps, and in filing abatement and exemption applications.
• Maintains the office procedures manual.
• Assists in certifying lists of abutters for various boards and officials as requested.
• Works with other department staff on special research projects as directed.
• Assists with the revision of the Assessor’s map as required with the Engineering Department and GIS Department.
• Directs, supervises, and performs analysis of motor vehicle excise tax billing procedures. Prepares motor vehicle excise billing file and commitment.
• Composes correspondence explaining the Board’s position in response to standard questions.
• Recommends purchase of technical equipment and supplies.
• Maintains Personal Property with Computer Assisted Mass. Appraisal Software (CAMA) and oversees data collection and review of Personal Property and submits for triennial recertification and yearly interim updates.
• Attends professional meetings, training programs and seminars.
• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field plus three to five years of appraising/assessing experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Special Requirements:

• Massachusetts Accredited Assessor (MAA) designation or eligibility for designation within two years of employment.
• A valid motor vehicle operator’s license.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge: Working knowledge of Massachusetts’ laws relating to municipal finance and property assessment for tax purposes. Familiarity with alternative formulas for determining assessment of various types of property. Familiarity with real estate styles, materials, and methods of construction. Aptitude for working with numbers and details. Knowledge of mapping procedures. Working knowledge of computer-assisted mass appraisal system. Knowledge of abatement and exemption procedures.

Ability: Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data from a variety of sources ranging from in-person inspections to electronic submissions. Ability to direct field operations and ensure accuracy of data collected. Ability to understand not only physical feature data, but social, economic, and governmental data as well. Ability to handle inquiries and/or complaints tactfully and effectively.

Skill: Aptitude for working with numbers and details. Skill in typing and in the use of standard office machines. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Skill in all of the above listed tools and equipment. Patience, judgment, and research skills.

Salary Range: $90,144 - $101,994 DOQ with excellent benefits. Please apply with Resume and Cover letter. Position open until filled.