Assistant City Assessor

Salary : $90,045.00 - $114,930.00 Annually
Location : City Hall 300 Monroe Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI
Job Type: Permanent
Job Number: 615-0425
Department: Assessor
Opening Date: 04/15/2025
Closing Date: 5/6/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Nature of Work

This is advanced professional and administrative property appraisal work performed for the Assessor's Office of the City of Grand Rapids.

Work includes coordinating and directing either the work of the residential appraisal section and record, or commercial and industrial, real and personal appraisal section. Work also includes reviewing appraisal schedules and making recommendations for more efficient expenditure of time and effort. Work involves the application of managerial and administrative methods as well as technical expertise. Supervision is exercised over a subordinate staff of clerical, professional, and technical employees. Work is performed under the managerial direction of the City Assessor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, observation and analyses of results obtained.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Plans, organizes, and administers the appraisal and assessment of all industrial, commercial or residential real and personal property within city limits; sets annual goals for appraisal staff and maintains appraisal schedule which falls within state specified limits; reviews work submitted by subordinates in unusual and complex cases.
• Reviews and makes determination on all requests for property tax exemption; appraises property which is to be condemned by the City for right-of-way; prepares special assessment rolls; coordinates defense during hearings before the Board of Review, Michigan Tax Tribunal and other appellate courts; appears as special witness during hearings; responds to questions from the public concerning property valuation.
• Provides detailed information to the City Treasurer to assist in the collection of delinquent personal property taxes; reviews legislation, changes in assessment proceedings and court decisions to determine any impact on real property appraisal methods; administers the Commercial and Industrial Facilities Tax Abatement program as they relate to real and personal property.
• Assists the City Assessor in operating the Department; evaluates subordinate employees; establishes work and annual leave schedules; attends meetings and represents department at various symposia; makes recommendations for improvement in program efficiency.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Training and Experience

• Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with major course work in real estate and accounting supplemented by major course work in real estate and in accounting supplemented by post graduate courses in real estate appraisal which leads to an MMAO (4) certification.

--AND--

• Four (4) years' experience in real estate appraisal.
• Previous experience as a City Assessor or Deputy City Assessor or Equalization Administrator with a municipality / local government.

--OR--

• Any equivalent combination of training and experience.

Other Necessary Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• The practices and techniques used in modern real and personal property appraisal.
• Reading blueprints and construction plans and the collection of cost sales data.
• The methods and techniques used in modern residential, commercial, and industrial construction.
• Modern public administrative theories and practices.
• The use of personal computers and related software.

Skill in:

• Delivering testimony.

Ability to:

• Coordinate and direct the work of the assigned division.
• Review the work of and instruct lower level property appraisers.
• Prepare and present coherent, accurate testimony before the Board of Review, court of law or other official commission concerning real and personal property appraisal.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
• Deal tactfully and professionally with the public and to answer questions accurately.
• Ascend and descend stairs, work around construction sites and excavations.

01

Do you possess a MAAO (3) certification from the State of Michigan.

• Yes
• No

02

Please indicate the highest level of education attained.

• High School diploma
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• PhD

03

Describe your experience defending assessments before the Michigan Tax Tribunal. If no experience, write N/A.
04

Describe your experience using assessment related software systems, including digital imagery and/or GIS. If no experience, write N/A.
05

Do you have a valid Michigan drivers license?

• Yes
• No

06

Please indicate whether you hold any of the following licenses:

• Michigan Certified General Appraiser
• Michigan Certified Residential Appraiser
• State Licensed Appraiser
• None of the above

Required Question