Assistant Assessor

Town of Duxbury•Duxbury, MA

About The Position

The Assistant Assessor performs field inspections and office work to document new growth and maintain the accuracy of the Town’s real property database. Working closely with the Director of Assessing, the employee analyzes sales and ensures data quality and consistency using the CAMA system. The position administers the cyclical property inspection program and supports the Town’s real estate abatement process. The role applies appraisal techniques to determine defensible property values, helps ensure compliance with state laws and best practices, and provides administrative and public-facing support for assessing functions. Under general direction, the employee independently plans and completes regular work, adapting established methods to resolve most problems. During the Director of Assessing’s extended or work-related absences, the Assistant Assessor assumes the Director’s duties, including managing administrative and clerical staff and work schedules. The position involves regular contact with the public and other organizations, including explaining assessment procedures and addressing potentially controversial matters with tact. Work is primarily office-based, with field inspections exposing the employee to outdoor conditions. Evening work may be needed for meetings or timely completion of assignments. The role requires maintaining confidential departmental information and the Massachusetts Accredited Assessor designation.

Requirements

Associate degree from a two-year college and three to five years of related work experience in assessing/appraising and municipal law, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Valid Class D motor vehicle driver’s license.
Knowledge of real property appraisal methods and procedures and Massachusetts General Laws relating to municipal finance and property assessment for tax purposes.
Ability to modify the Town’s CAMA database and inspect, measure, and list all types of real property.
Ability to interact effectively and appropriately with the public and personnel using diplomacy and tact, perform multiple tasks, and maintain confidential information.
Ability to provide expert testimony before the State Appellate Tax Board.
Excellent mathematical, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to maneuver stairs and uneven terrain during field inspections in all weather conditions; may walk or stand for several hours.
Ability to perform office work involving sitting, intermittent stooping, walking, and standing, and occasional lifting of books, office equipment, or computer paper.
Hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, and motor coordination for tasks such as driving, using a computer, or measuring buildings.
Ability to read documents and reports and review non-written materials for analytical purposes; color vision is required.

Nice To Haves

Massachusetts Accredited Assessor designation (MAA), or ability to attain it within two years of employment.
Familiarity with Vision CAMA, OpenGov Permitting, SoftRight Billing, RRC Personal Property Services, CAI GIS, and Microsoft Office.
Valuation experience in a coastal community.
Familiarity with researching and reviewing legal documents relating to property transfer, building types and construction quality, and local real estate markets.
Microsoft Office Suite proficiency.

Responsibilities

Inspect real property undergoing physical changes and conduct cyclical inspections in accordance with DOR guidelines and the Duxbury Data Collection Manual.
Perform field inspection, measurement, and photography of land and structures.
Review building plans and update the CAMA system, including photographs and building sketches.
Apply appraisal techniques under the Director of Assessing’s direction to determine accurate and defensible property values.
Help ensure compliance with state laws, regulations, and assessing best practices.
Prepare abatement support documentation for the Board of Assessors and defense of values before the Appellate Tax Board; provide testimony as required.
Support office staff with motor vehicle and boat excise, tax exemptions, personal property, forms of list, income and expense statements, abutter lists, DOR reporting, and senior tax work-off processing.
Provide information to the public in person and by telephone about assessment policies and procedures, valuations, abatements, exemptions, property records, and assessed values.
Work with the Director of Assessing to analyze neighborhoods, home styles, land uses, grades, depreciation, cost per square foot, and other valuation factors.
Attend Board of Assessors meetings as needed.
Maintain the Massachusetts Accredited Assessor designation.
Assume the Director of Assessing’s duties during extended or work-related absences, including management of administrative and clerical staff and the work schedule.
Perform similar or related work as required or directed.