Assessing Technician

Town of Canton•Canton, MA

About The Position

The Assessing Technician performs technical, clerical, confidential, and fiscal work in support of the Director of Assessing and the Board of Assessors. Duties include preparing and processing real estate and excise tax bills, maintaining property and exemption records, calculating financial data, responding to public inquiries, and producing reports. The position works with confidential information and applies federal, state, and local regulations and established assessing practices. It plans and prioritizes much of its work independently under general direction, while consulting a supervisor about technical or policy issues and procedural changes. The position requires an associate degree in business, finance, or accounting and three to five years of experience in an office where assessing or appraising operations are primary responsibilities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The employee must complete basic assessing courses approved and required by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers as a condition of continued employment. The role is a 35-hour-per-week, non-exempt, benefits-eligible AFSCME union position, with an hourly rate of $31.49 to $35.47. Work is primarily office-based, with everyday office discomforts and occasional exposure to outside elements. The job principally involves sitting, with intermittent stooping, walking, and standing; lifting files, boxes, supplies, or equipment weighing up to 30 pounds may be required. Work beyond normal business hours may be required for emergencies or evening meetings.

Requirements

Associate degree in business, finance, or accounting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Three to five years of experience in an office where assessing and/or appraising operations are primary responsibilities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Complete basic assessing courses approved and required by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers as a condition of continued employment.
Knowledge of laws, regulations, rules, procedures, forms, Town bylaws, policies, and programs applicable to assessing administration.
Knowledge of assessment and sales ratios and types of property ownership.
Knowledge of office management principles, departmental equipment, computers, the internet, Excel, and Word.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and cyclical deadlines, maintain attention to detail despite interruptions, protect confidential information, and work independently.
Ability to interact professionally and courteously with personnel at all levels and the public in person and by phone.
Strong accounting, computer, organizational, verbal and written communication, and customer service skills.
Ability to read maps and deal under pressure, including with hostile or angry customers.
Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local regulations.

Responsibilities

Assist with preparing real estate bills and tax forms and records; record property transfers and sales in the Cama system and update office records.
Process authorized abatements and research property sales and MLS listings to support assessments, including cases involving unpermitted work.
Process sales surveys following deed transfers and create, maintain, and generate sales reports, including reports for the public using SQL.
Download deeds and research plans, trusts, homesteads, and other Registry documents; provide documents to residents upon request.
Review confidential exemption applications for eligibility and unusual circumstances for Board of Assessors review; maintain reports, conduct mass mailings, assist residents, and explain applicable laws and procedures.
Enter exemptions into Munis for tax-bill preparation and report exemptions to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue through Gateway for reimbursement to the Town.
Process excise tax bills received from the RMV, including exemptions, tax commitments, accounts receivable, exemption reports, and reports for the Tax Collector.
Calculate and enter excise bills for Section 5 Dealer plates, process commitments, and abate authorized excise bills.
Coordinate with other Town assessors and the RMV to resolve excise errors, abatements, rebilling, and new bills; research RMV registration information to assist residents.
Log building permits in Excel and the Cama system; record plot plans, create files, route plans for map updates, and verify permits through the Building Department’s Viewpoint system.
Administer Community Preservation Act tax exemptions, including tracking and mass mailings, eligibility review, resident assistance, timely entry and posting, and forwarding reports to the Town Accountant.
Create and maintain the Board of Assessors’ website.
Create and certify abutters’ lists for municipal boards and departments according to their requirements.
Process monthly cash turnovers to the Tax Collector’s office.
Plan and perform work on assessing documents and monitor office workflow to meet cyclical deadlines.
Provide assessing information by phone, mail, email, scanned documents, and in person; explain laws, policies, and procedures; help the public use computers and locate properties on assessor maps.
Perform secretarial work, including preparing assessing documents, forms, and reports; exercise necessary judgment to run the office in supervisors’ absence.
Act as the E-911 secretary and perform similar or related duties as required.