- Bachelor’s degree in a field relating to property valuation or related field or five (5) years of experience in appraisal and law principles including a strong background in commercial valuation of complex commercial properties.
- Department of Revenue Assessor II Certification required.
- Department of Revenue Assessor III Certification preferred or able to obtain within twelve (12) months of hire.
- Prior experience in real property valuation; residential, commercial, and personal property valuation required.
- Prior experience in training, staff development, supervision and performance management preferred.
- Experience with CAMA software preferred.
- Board of Review experience, case preparation and defense; residential and commercial preferred.
- Prior experience in modeling residential and commercial data in preparation for revaluations and defense of assessed values required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel preferred.
- Proficient knowledge of the WPAM, State statutes and Marshall & Swift Valuation as they are related to property valuation and the assessment process required.
- Familiarity with the filing of State reports preferred.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and availability of a properly insured personal vehicle for use on the job required at time of hire and throughout employment – mileage reimbursement is provided.
The City of La Crosse is currently in search of a qualified candidate to fill a full-time position as a Deputy City Assessor and join the assessment team. The successful candidate will collaborate with a team of dedicated professionals to discover, list and value all taxable property within the City of La Crosse to ensure fairness, equity, and uniformity.
The Deputy City Assessor will support the Chief Assessor and the overall functions within the Assessment department. This position will discover, list, value and defend taxable real and personal property within the City of La Crosse both vacant and improved. Incumbent will determine market value appraisals of all types of properties, including, but not limited to, commercial, multi-residential, mercantile, recreational, and institutional real and personal property. The Deputy City Assessor will provide leadership, training, and development to the assessment team, as well as assist with assessment valuations and ensure they are completed in accordance with state statutes and the Wisconsin Property Assessment Manual (WPAM) and will provide active leadership through the assessment year as it relates to meeting statutory and office deadlines. Starting salary for this exempt position ranges between $84,344.00 to $96,595.20 (80 hours bi-weekly) depending on candidate qualifications.
Benefits: The City offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical insurance, voluntary dental and vision plan, Wisconsin Retirement Plan, flexible spending account, deferred compensation, Roth IRA, life insurance, income continuation insurance, paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Benefit perks: low medical plan premium costs having a $400 deductible, participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System with a 6.9% employer contribution, 10 paid holidays, ability to earn sick days and vacation time available as of date of hire.
Selected candidate is subject to background check and post-offer/pre-employment drug screen. Applications accepted until the position is filled, with an initial review of applications beginning May 1st, 2024. To be considered, applicants must submit an employment application, cover letter and resume by visiting the City of La Crosse website and clicking on City Services, then clicking Career Opportunities or by visiting https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacrossewi.
Purpose of Position
The Deputy City Assessor position is intended to support the Chief Assessor and the overall functions within the Assessment department. This position will discover, list, value and defend taxable real and personal property within the City of La Crosse both vacant and improved. This position will determine market value appraisals of all types of properties, including, but not limited to, commercial, multi-residential, mercantile, recreational, and institutional real and personal property. The position of the Deputy City Assessor will provide leadership, training, and development to the assessment team. The Deputy City Assessor will assist with assessment valuations and ensure they are completed in accordance with state statutes and the Wisconsin Property Assessment Manual (WPAM) and will provide active leadership through the assessment year as it relates to meeting statutory and office deadlines.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. The duties and responsibilities are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and/or assigned.
- Performs various duties of the Assessor in their absence.
- Assist in mentoring, training staff and staff development.
- Coordinates assessment work of Appraisers and evaluates employee work performance on a regular and ongoing basis; provide coaching and mentoring; Assist Chief Assessor with staff performance evaluations.
- Collaborates with the Chief Assessor in devising policies to meet immediate and long-term goals.
- Assists with filing reports and completing the annual assessment roll.
- Responsible for data collection and valuation of all classes of property.
- Sketch buildings, lots and improvement dimensions and calculate square footage and/or acreage. Review building plans related to building permit field work.
- Conduct meetings with property owners and/or their representatives and agents.
- Prepare assessment appeals cases and testify before the Board of Review, circuit court or the Department of Revenue. Collaborate with the Chief Assessor in reviewing and presenting appeals.
- Analysis of confidential income and expense form and rent roll information to calculate a net operating income to derive an income-based valuation for all assigned commercial properties.
- Develop reports and public relations materials to educate and meet the requests of the public, administration, elected officials, and department supervisors.
- Perform statistical analysis, sales ratio studies to track current levels/ratios and make the appropriate changes to the Computer Aided Mass Appraisal System (CAMA).
- Conduct statistical modeling of assigned commercial and residential properties in Computer Aided Mass Appraisal System (CAMA) and corresponding land analysis during maintenance and revaluation years to maintain an appropriate level of value.
- Review sale validation for the State and the CAMA system to maintain accuracy.
- Assist with the completion of all State mandated reports, including Municipal Assessment Report, TID Assessment Reports and all required Statement of Assessments.
- Gather all information and documents regarding parcel land splits and land combinations. Verify and process new parcel creations to assign an assessed value.
- Assist in CAMA software training.
- Regular attendance is required.
Additional Duties & Responsibilities
While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the department, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other department staff.
- Attend meetings and speaking engagements as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.