Land Records Analyst

Chatham, County of (NC); Pittsboro (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Job summary

Chatham County is seeking a Paralegal/Real Estate Specialist to support Tax Administration with researching, reviewing, and maintaining real property ownership and land records for tax assessment. The role involves detailed deed analyses, title searches, and updating property information across systems.

The ideal candidate will have an associate degree in a related field or equivalent experience, knowledge of real estate laws, and strong organizational and customer-service skills to interact

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Paralegal Technology/Studies/Legal Studies/Business/Real Estate or related field, or major Real Estate coursework, or two years’ experience as a legal assistant with knowledge of title searches and real estate law.
• Knowledge of real estate laws, deed interpretations, and title searches.
• Knowledge of real estate terminology, property ownership, deeds, legal descriptions, and public land records.
• Knowledge of the North Carolina Machinery Act; GIS and mapping principles.

Responsibilities

• Researches and reviews recorded real estate documents affecting ownership.
• Examines property records to determine current and historical ownership.
• Researches chains of titles and resolves discrepancies in ownership and parcel information.
• Reviews recorded documents for changes in ownership, transfers, subdivisions, and other property changes.
• Assists with processing property transfers and ensuring documentation is received and recorded.
• Updates property ownership and parcel information in tax assessment and land records systems.
• Maintains accurate documentation and electronic records of ownership determinations.
• Works with Register of Deeds, GIS, Clerk of Courts, and other County departments.

Skills

Real estate laws

Deed interpretations

Title searches

GIS mapping

Public records

Computer literacy

Customer service

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Independent work

Education

Associate degree in Paralegal/Real Estate related field

Tools

GIS software

Property records systems

Job description

Are you looking for a career in a supportive organization that fosters your professional growth? Do you desire a challenging role? Are you interested in working with a team that is always ready to assist? We provide exceptional benefits, competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, and a nurturing environment. If you are passionate about making a difference, value meaningful work, and seek a career where your impact is visible, we would love to hear from you.

Performs intermediate technical duties involving the listing of real property for taxation. This position supports the Tax Administration office by researching, reviewing, and maintaining real property ownership and land-records information. This position performs detailed research of deeds, plats, deeds of trust, easements, property transfers, and other recorded documents to ensure property ownership and parcel information are accurate for property tax assessment and administration. This position assists the public with accessing and interpreting records and other tax-related information. This position performs duties related to paraprofessional work while understanding the rules of tax listing and assessing provided by the Machinery Act of North Carolina. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Assistant Tax Administrator. The following essential functions serve as a general guide for this position. Position functions are subject to change based on departmental needs and external factors including, but not limited to, regulatory requirements.

• Researches and reviews recorded real estate documents, including deeds, deeds of trust, easements, plats, wills, estate documents, and other instruments affecting property ownership;
• Examines property records to determine current and historical ownership;
• Researches chains of titles and resolves discrepancies in ownership, legal descriptions, and parcel information;
• Reviews recorded documents for changes in ownership, transfers, subdivisions, combinations, and other property changes;
• Compares Register of Deeds records with Property Tax Office records in the appropriate tax-assessment and land records systems;
• Researches property ownership questions and responds to inquiries from property owners, attorneys, title companies, government agencies, and the public;
• Updates and maintains property ownership and parcel information in the appropriate tax-assessment and land records system;
• Creates, updates, and maintains accounts with appropriate names and addresses for tax billing purposes using recorded documents, E911, DevNet, USPS, and other available resources;
• Reviews legal descriptions, parcel identification numbers, maps, plats, and other property documentation;
• Assists with processing property transfers and ensuring appropriate documentation is received and recorded;
• Researches estates, trusts, divorces, foreclosures, and other legal documents that affect ownership;
• Maintains accurate documentation and electronic records of research ownership determinations;
• Assigns parcel ID numbers and communicates appropriate documents that affect mapping changes to the GIS Department;
• Works closely with the Register of Deeds, GIS, Clerk of Courts, Collections and Appraisal Divisions, and other County departments;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Associate degree in Paralegal Technology, Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies, Business, Real Estate, or a related field, or major coursework in Real Estate, or two years’ experience as a legal assistant with working knowledge of title searches, real estate law, and/or real estate closings, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience in paralegal work, real estate, land records, property records, property taxation or related fields.

• Knowledge of real estate laws, deed interpretations, and title searches;
• Knowledge of real estate terminology, property ownership, deeds, legal descriptions, and public land records;
• Knowledge of the North Carolina Machinery Act;
• Knowledge of GIS and the principles of mapping;

• Knowledge and proficiencyin using computers, software applications,and technology toperform job-relatedtasks efficiently andaccurately;
• Ability to communicateeffectively and interactcourteously, professionally, and tactfully withthe public;
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to deliver excellent customer service;
• Ability to communicate professionally with the public, attorneys, government officials, and other agencies;
• Ability to interpret survey maps;
• Ability to explain tax laws and policies to others;
• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment regarding property record issues;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, surveyors, engineers, and the general public.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking, hearing, use of hands and fingers, handling, feeling, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; work requires vocal communication to express or exchange ideas orally; work requires hearing to perceive information at normal spoken levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visually inspecting small defects and/or small parts, using measuring devices and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Must possess a North Carolina Property Mapper certification.
• Must complete Fundamentals of Tax Listing and Assessing courses within one year of employment.
• Must complete Plat Review Officer workshop within one year of employment.
• Must complete North Carolina Property Mappers Associate Regular Mapper course within two years of employment.
• Must obtain NCDOR Real Property Appraiser Certification within two years of employment.
• Must complete NCDOR Present Use Value Workshop within two years of employment.
• Must complete NCDOR Exemption and Exclusion Workshop within two years of employment.