Description
Position Summary
Join the Ramsey County Assessor’s Office as an Assessment Appeals Specialist and play a key role in defending property values across one of Minnesota’s most diverse and challenging property portfolios. Enjoy the flexibility of primarily working from home, balanced with property inspections and occasional in-person meetings, while working with a supportive, and professional team that makes the job both rewarding and engaging.
To analyze, manage and recommend actions as a technical expert in the office for assessment appeals and tax petitions related to complex commercial, industrial, apartment and special use properties. Perform complex appeals analyses, technical work and narrative appraisals; represent Ramsey County by testifying and defending assessed values in Minnesota Tax Court; negotiate with petitioners and respond to complex appeals under the direction and guidance of the Deputy Director of the County Assessor Department; and perform related duties as assigned.
Flexible Workplace: This position is 100% remote, with the exception of occasional in person meetings and trainings. Field work required for property inspections.
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.
Examples of Work Performed:
1) Resolve the most complex tax court appeal and specializing in the more complex appraisal assignments as may be assigned county-wide.
2) Manage all aspects of commercial, industrial, apartment and special purpose property tax petitions including reviewing compliance with income data disclosure, negotiating fair settlements with tax attorneys, or preparing highly technical self-contained narrative appraisals and defending values through expert witness testimony in Minnesota Tax Court and for recommending strategy for the litigation of court petitions.
3) Represent the Department of County Assessor and work as needed with the County Attorney in matters related to Tax Petition litigation.
4) Develop narrative appraisal templates for use by commercial appraisers in tax court.
5) Research and develop market rents, market vacancies and market cap rate tables for use by commercial appraisers for other tax petitions.
6) Advise and coach commercial appraisers on appropriate application of complex appraisal/assessing techniques and procedures.
7) Develop computer spreadsheet applications and valuation models for commercial appraisers to use for tax petition work, including and not limited to Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) models and income and comparable sales market adjustment grids.
8) Represent the Department of County Assessor at Board of Equalization meetings, particularly on cases involving possible or ongoing tax petition litigation.
9) Investigate and review requests for reduction in value and make recommendations regarding appeals including classification changes and abatements.
10) Represent the Department of County Assessor when working with the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office on tax petition related tasks, including compliance with income data disclosures, the discovery process, settlement offers, trial ready dates, deadlines for appraisal and trial preparation and keeping up to date with procedural changes related to the scheduling of petitions in Minnesota Tax Court.
(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in real estate or closely related field. Completion of courses required for licensure as an Accredited Minnesota Assessor.
Experience: Seven years of experience appraising income producing, complex special use properties and/or complex residential properties.
Substitutions: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Certifications/Licensure: Licensure by the Minnesota Board of Assessors as an Accredited Minnesota Assessor (AMA) at date of hire; licensure as a Senior Accredited Minnesota Assessor (SAMA) within two years from date of hire; and a valid Class D Driver's License.
Licensure as a Certified General real property appraiser by the MN Department of Commerce with the ability to get a temporary Certified Minnesota Assessor (CMA) license may substitute for the AMA; obtain an Accredited Minnesota Assessor (AMA) licensure under Minnesota Statues within the five-year time from the date the temporary license is issued; and licensure as a Senior Accredited Minnesota Assessor (SAMA) within six years from date of hire.
Licensure by the Minnesota Board of Assessors as an Accredited Minnesota Assessor (AMA) within five years of obtaining licensure as a CMA.
Exam/Screening Process Information
The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:
Training and Experience Rating = 100%
The examination for Assessment Appeals Specialist will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions –do not mark “see resume” or “see work history” as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.
Eligible List: The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as an Assessment Appeals Specialist. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for 30 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted.
Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.
Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives to be equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.
