PROPERTY TAX PROFESSIONAL

Washtenaw County Health Department; Michigan; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Washtenaw County Treasurer's Office seeks a qualified professional to lead delinquency resolution, property inspections, and foreclosure documentation while delivering taxpayer outreach and education programs.

The role balances revenue recovery with homeowner protections, counseling residents and coordinating with community resources to develop sustainable payment plans and equitable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Michigan Public Act 123 and applicable property tax laws and foreclosure procedures
• Proficiency in specialized software, including property tax systems, GIS mapping, document imaging, EERP financial tools, and web content management.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Strong understanding of local government operations, real estate processes, and property record systems.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational precision, and recordkeeping consistency.
• Ability to perform accurate mathematical calculations and analyze complex financial data.
• Capability to manage multiple priorities under time constraints.
• Sound independent judgment within policy and legal guidelines.
• Comfortable operating standard office and field equipment, including computer, photocopier, camera, and mobile devices.
• Resilience and focus while working under pressure and within strict legal timelines.
• Effective communication skills with diverse stakeholders, including the public, officials, and service providers.
• Professional writing and correspondence preparation
• Discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Research delinquent parcels and coordinate with internal departments and local assessors.
• Conduct annual field inspections of 600-1,000 properties and prepare GIS-based documents.
• Counsels taxpayers facing foreclosure and connects to housing aid, veteran services, and financial assistance.
• Represents the Treasurer in meetings, townhalls, and presentations; promotes tax relief programs.
• Manages equity-focused initiatives such as Home for Generations and Bridge Loans; oversees eligibility and documentation.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance programs; designs new processes and presents recommendations to the County Treasurer.
• Prepares and files tax notices, redemption certificates, deeds, foreclosure motions, and related court documents.
• Participates in foreclosure hearings and assists legal counsel with materials and financial analysis.
• Responds to FOIA requests and maintains records under Public Act 123 requirements.
• Oversees the full cycle of annual foreclosure auctions.
• Assists treasury accountants with reconciliations, billing, and quarterly state reporting; manages project budgets in EERP.
• Gathers data across systems and prepares performance reports and proposals for program enhancements.
• Organizes forums with local governments, nonprofits, and civic groups focused on delinquency, foreclosure prevention, and public education.
• Performs additional duties as assigned to support Treasury operations.

Skills

Public administration

Data analysis

Customer service counseling

Financial recordkeeping

Legal documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration, urban planning, social sciences, social work, business, education, or related discipline

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Property tax systems

GIS mapping

Document imaging

EERP financial tools

Web content management

Job description

INTERNAL UNION APPLICANTS WILL BE GIVEN FIRST CONSIDERATION FOR UNION POSITIONS

This position reports directly to the elected Washtenaw County Treasurer, the designated foreclosure authority responsible for enforcing Michigan Public Act 123 of 1999 and related statutes governing delinquent property tax collection and foreclosure prevention. Serving as the county¿s subject-matter expert, this role leads efforts to identify and resolve tax delinquencies, conducts legally mandated property inspections, prepares and files required legal documentation, and manages taxpayer outreach and education initiatives. The position plays a critical role in balancing revenue recovery with homeowner protection by offering individualized counseling, connecting residents to county and community resources, and leading equity-focused programs such as Home for Generations and Bridge Loans. Additional responsibilities include administering the annual property auction, supporting financial reconciliation and project accounting, responding to public inquiries and FOIA requests, facilitating stakeholder meetings, and recommending program improvements aligned with Treasury goals and community needs. Through independent judgment and broad interagency collaboration, this role supports legal compliance, fiscal accountability, and neighborhood stability across Washtenaw County. The position also provides direct customer service, offering counseling and intervention, and clearly explaining property tax billing, collection, and foreclosure processes. It works closely with taxpayers to identify available resources and develop sustainable payment strategies.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Responsible for supporting compliance with Michigan's Tax Laws and Public Act 123 of 1999 by researching delinquent parcels, analyzing ownership and lien records, and coordinating with internal departments and local assessors.
• Conducts annual field inspections of 600-1,000 properties as required by statute, prepares documentation using GIS tools, and coordinates site visits with law enforcement when necessary.
• Counsels' taxpayers facing foreclosure, offers payment solutions, and connects individuals to resources such as housing aid, veteran services, and financial assistance, maintaining trust-based relationships to resolve complex challenges.
• Represents the Treasurer in meetings, townhalls, and presentations, and promotes awareness of property tax relief programs including Poverty Exemptions, Senior Deferments, and Disabled Veteran benefits.
• Manages equity-focused initiatives such as the Home for Generations and Bridge Loans programs, overseeing eligibility screening, legal documentation, and ongoing participant support.
• Identifies and assesses opportunities to enhance existing programs and services; designs and proposes new processes or initiatives that improve efficiency, equity, or public impact; and presents well-supported recommendations to the County Treasurer for consideration and implementation.
• Prepares and files tax notices, redemption certificates, deeds, foreclosure motions, and related court documentation.
• Participates in foreclosure hearings and assists legal counsel with background materials, financial analysis, and exhibit preparation.
• Responds to FOIA requests, maintaining accurate records and providing reports under Public Act 123 requirements.
• Aligns document and records management with court and state retention schedules.
• Oversees the full cycle of annual foreclosure auctions¿from property valuation and bidder communication to deed transfer and recording.
• Assists Treasury Accountants with reconciliations, billing, and quarterly state reporting, as well as creating and managing project-level budgets within the EERP system.
• Gathers data across systems, preparing performance reports, and submitting proposals and applications for program enhancements and public recognition.
• Organizes collaborative forums with local governments, nonprofits, and civic groups focused on property tax delinquency, foreclosure prevention, and public education.
• Performs additional duties as assigned to support Treasury operations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS

• Working knowledge of Michigan Public Act 123 and applicable property tax laws and foreclosure procedures
• Proficiency in specialized software, including property tax systems, GIS mapping, document imaging, EERP financial tools, and web content management.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Strong understanding of local government operations, real estate processes, and property record systems.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational precision, and recordkeeping consistency.
• Ability to perform accurate mathematical calculations and analyze complex financial data.
• Capability to manage multiple priorities under time constraints.
• Sound independent judgment within policy and legal guidelines.
• Comfortable operating standard office and field equipment, including computer, photocopier, camera, and mobile devices.
• Resilience and focus while working under pressure and within strict legal timelines.
• Effective communication skills with diverse stakeholders, including the public, officials, and service providers.
• Professional writing and correspondence preparation
• Discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

Valid driver's license. Advanced certifications and licensures related to program area preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Position requires sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a computer monitor.Duties require the ability to perform both office-based tasks and on-site field activities, including personal visits to delinquent properties and the placement of signage. Candidates must possess sufficient mobility to travel throughout the County and engage effectively in fieldwork, as well as adequate visual and auditory capacity to communicate clearly and professionally in person and over the phone.

These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

MINIMALLY QUALIFIED

For hiring, promotion, bumping, or otherwise filling a position, Minimal Qualifications include passing Treasury assessment test(s) designed for the job duties to the satisfaction of the Treasurer.

EDUCATION

Possession of a bachelor's degree in public administration, Urban Planning, social sciences, social work, business, education, or related discipline required. Master's degree in related field preferred.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum of four (4) years of experience performing professional-level accounting, property management, collections, direct customer service, counseling and/or advocacy.

This class description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to apply specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.