Commercial Appraisal and Litigation Assistance Program Manager

State of Vermont; Montpelier (VT); On-site; USD 46,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Office allowance

Travel reimbursement

Competitive benefits

Pension plan

Job summary

Vermont Department of Taxes seeks a senior assessor to work with listers and assessors and lead CALAP. This field-based role covers northern or southern portions of the state, with periodic Montpelier meetings and town visits.

The ideal candidate has real estate appraisal or assessment experience, project and vendor management skills, and a drive to learn and grow in tax policy and administration. Competitive pay and benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in property assessment, tax administration, or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience at/above a technical level in property assessment or real estate appraisal.
• Experience reviewing appraisals, including for utility properties.
• Experience managing multiple projects and coordinating with vendors.
• Ability to learn tax law and policies and apply them.

Responsibilities

• Provide training, education, and support to municipal officials on the statewide grand list.
• Analyze municipal assessment practices through the annual Equalization Study.
• Evaluate and update utility valuation methodologies.
• Review CALAP applications and related materials.
• Coordinate with vendors to ensure timely project completion.
• Review appraisals for accuracy and participate in appeals as needed.

Skills

Real estate appraisal

Project management

Vendor management

Commercial property appraisal

Learning mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher (property assessment/related)

High School diploma + 6+ years experience

Job description

Overview

Do you want to support Vermont communities and listing officials? Do you want to ensure equity in property taxes? There has never been a better time to bring your values and talents to the collaborative team at the Vermont Department of Taxes. We are seeking a senior assessor to work closely with listers and assessors and to help lead the Commercial Appraisal and Litigation Assistance Program (CALAP). If you have a passion for working with municipalities and a talent for managing programs, we want to hear from you!

Key responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:

• Providing training, education, and support to municipal officials to maintain the statewide grand list for the purpose of education funding.
• Conducting detailed analyses of municipal assessment practices through the annual Equalization Study.
• Evaluating and updating utility valuation methodologies.
• Reviewing applications to the program.
• Coordinating with vendors to ensure timely completion of projects.
• Reviewing appraisals for accuracy and completion.
• Participating in the appeals process as needed.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Experience in real estate appraisal or assessment, with some experience in reviewing appraisals especially for utility properties.
• Experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience working with multiple vendors to ensure projects are completed timely.
• Some experience in reviewing appraisals especially for commercial properties.
• A desire to learn and grow and have experience fostering that desire in others.
• A proven record of prioritizing work, managing deadlines, and aligning expectations of internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about tax law and policies.

This is a full-time field-based position central to the southern portion or the northern portion of the State. Applicants will need to have reliable personal transportation to attend periodic meetings in the Montpelier main office and to conduct on-site visits with town officials generally in the Northern or Southern portions of the State.

About The Division Of Property Valuation And Review

Property Valuation and Review (PVR) provides support to municipalities in developing and administrating property tax policies and related programs at the local level and has created an educational training and certification program that is available to municipal listers and assessors. PVR conducts annual ratio studies which estimate taxable property values and appraisals for school districts. It also administers the Use Value Appraisal Program (Current Use) which created almost $78 million in tax savings to landowners. PVR is currently implementing a new integrated property tax management system, and is planning modernization and digitization, making NOW the opportune time to join the team.

Additional Information

Compensation: The hourly salary rate for this position ranges from $33.53 to $52.55 and State of Vermont benefits are very competitive. The annualized salary for this potion ranges from approximately $69,742.40 to $109,304. The salary range reflects the minimum and maximum salary potential in the assigned pay grade, and the annualized salary figure is calculated based on 2080 hours of annual compensation and does not include authorized overtime or other compensation. It also doesn't include any time taken off payroll. The starting salary for this position may be negotiable depending on experience and qualifications. This position is eligible for an office allowance and will be reimbursed for allowable business travel expenses.

Background Checks

This position will primarily support the Department of Taxes. Candidates must agree to be fingerprinted and pass a background check to be eligible for this position, which will involve access to sensitive federal tax information. Background checks are required by the Internal Revenue Service and are authorized under Vermont law. 3 V.S.A.

• 241. In accordance with VDT Standard Operating Procedure 2018-01, Background Investigations, Vermont and national criminal record checks will be conducted on all candidates. Candidates will have the right to withdraw their application before fingerprinting or a background check is conducted.

We value diverse teams and are committed to creating a community of inclusion.

Who May Apply

This position, Commercial Appraisal and Litigation Assistance Program Manager (Job Requisition #56091), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

Environmental Factors

Duties are performed in the individual municipalities in the district in which they are assigned or in those for programs managed. An incumbent may be required to speak at public meetings which may be scheduled in the evenings with municipal and city managers, select people, listers, and school board members. Extensive travel to assigned municipalities and those in which specialized assessments are occurring is expected; Private transportation must be available. An incumbent is expected to deal constructively with irate taxpayers and public officials.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher AND four (4) years or more of experience at or above a technical level in property assessment, property tax administration, real estate appraisal or related field.

OR

High School diploma or equivalent AND six (6) years or more of experience at or above a technical level in property assessment, property tax administration, real estate appraisal, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in relevant field.

Special Requirements

Employees who have not completed an advanced appraisal course approved by the Property Valuation and Review Division are required to complete it within two years of appointment.

An incumbent must be prepared to live a reasonable distance to their assigned district.

An incumbent must dedicate a portion of their residence to field office work.

Extensive travel is involved for which private means of transportation must be available.

Total Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 12 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.