Tax Administrator

Wilson County Government•113 E. Nash Street Wilson, NC

12h•Onsite

About The Position

Wilson County, North Carolina is seeking a Tax Administrator who values integrity, leadership, and quality, with a focus on accurate data, details, and project management. The candidate will have a demonstrated ability to supervise employees, manage multiple projects, and ensure timely and effective completion of assignments to keep Wilson County’s tax administration current while focused on future efficiencies. This role manages, supervises, plans, and directs the listing, valuation, billing, and collecting of property taxes with efficiency and effectiveness, working collaboratively with staff, the Board of County Commissioners, the County Manager, and County Department Leaders. Join a forward-thinking, growing county 30 minutes east of Raleigh and lead within a modern tax office dedicated to accuracy, efficiency, innovation, and outstanding customer service. The Tax Administrator is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and reports jointly to the County Manager and Board of County Commissioners, with the County Manager providing daily oversight and supervision. The Board of County Commissioners performs annual evaluations with a monthly report from the Tax Administrator.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, finance, accounting, public administration, or related field.
4 years of progressive experience in managing the administration of real and personal property appraisals, tax collections, revenues, and real estate.
Three years of direct supervision of staff.
Valid driver's license in the State of North Carolina.
Demonstrated ability to supervise employees.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects.
Demonstrated ability to ensure timely and effective completion of assignments.
Expert level knowledge of NC Tax Laws and regulations, property assessments, mass appraisal systems, commercial and residential appraisals, revaluation processes and methodologies.
Thorough knowledge of accepted methods and procedures utilized in the mass appraisal of real property.
Thorough knowledge of the North Carolina Machinery Act and County tax policies as applicable to tax listing and collection, and assessment of real and personal property.
Thorough knowledge of policies, procedures, and practices used in appraising commercial, residential, farm, and industrial property for tax purposes.
Thorough knowledge of tax listing procedures and forms.
Thorough knowledge of the ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined by professional standards and/or federal, state, or local laws, rules, and regulations.
Considerable knowledge of construction cost, building materials, and land values.
Considerable knowledge of sales ratio scheduling, market trends, and current real estate values.
Considerable knowledge of the established accepted practices and techniques of accounting and bookkeeping.
Considerable knowledge of the geographic and socioeconomic layout of the County.
Considerable knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration.
Considerable knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of tax assessment and administration.
Ability to use common office machines, including popular computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, and file maintenance programs.
Ability to plan and conduct effective tax listing, appraisal, and revaluation programs.
Ability to design and implement valuation techniques and defend those techniques and results to the public.
Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the activities of the Department.
Ability to prepare financial statements and reports.
Ability to be bonded by licensed bonding agencies.
Ability to exercise considerable independent judgment in making final decisions regarding contested property values and legal points on tax assessment matters.
Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in contact with taxpayers and the general public.
Ability to exercise firmness and fairness in adjusting complaints and explaining tax laws and policies.
Ability to establish and effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Ability to physically report to work in an office environment for 40 hours a week 8am – 5pm Monday through Friday, unless additional time is needed to complete required tasks.

Nice To Haves

Completion of special training and certification as a Tax Administrator within two (2) years of employment by the North Carolina Department of Revenue as prescribed in the Machinery Act of North Carolina (G.S. 105 - 294).
Completion of NCTCA Deputy Tax Assistant certification within 2 years of employment.
Completion of North Carolina Department of Revenue’s Level 1 Personal Property Appraiser requirements within 2 years of employment.
Completion of North Carolina Department of Revenue’s Level 1 Real Property Appraiser requirements within 1 year of employment.
Completion of North Carolina Department of Revenue’s Level 2 Real Property Appraiser requirements within 2 years of employment.
Completion of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) Residential Evaluation Specialist (RES), Assessment Administration Specialist (AAS), or Mass Appraisal Specialist (MAS) Designation within 3 to 5 years of employment is recommended.

Responsibilities

Plans, directs, and oversees activities of tax listing, appraisal, billing, and collection in the Tax Department through direct or delegated supervision, ensuring that established policies, procedures, and programs are planned and implemented in accordance with state laws and the County Board of Commissioners directives.
Reviews, develops, and implements policies and procedures, as necessary, to improve department efficiency.
Recruits and selects department personnel; assigns, directs, trains, and inspects the work of staff; disciplines, coaches, counsels, and reviews employee performance; approves time sheets and verifies leave; assists staff with complex issues.
Receives and responds to inquiries and questions in person and via email and telephone.
Supervises the listing, discovery, and evaluation of real and personal property and public utility taxes, as well as processing taxes pertaining to municipalities, fire districts, solid waste districts, and privilege licenses.
Supervises the preparation of tax bills, maintenance of real estate transfer records, and maintenance and updating of all County tax records.
Supervises and participates in the collection of unpaid taxes; serves garnishments and tax levies as necessary; prepares warrants in tax violation or worthless check cases as necessary; contacts and negotiates payment with delinquent taxpayers.
Appraises farm, residential, commercial, and industrial properties to determine the value for tax purposes; sketches layout of structure; determines grade of materials and quality of workmanship; and grades buildings; verifies sales information for use in the appraisal process.
Oversees the County-wide revaluation project; maintains records of assigned property values, updating as necessitated by changes in land use; develops and sets valuation policy to be used in the revaluation program; analyzes and researches the real estate market, develops valuation models for all classes of property, researches and defines neighborhoods, and reviews and approves final schedule of values and supervises its application.
Advises, confers, and assists the Board of County Commissioners on tax assessment matters; consults with the County Manager and Board of Commissioners concerning the fiscal impact of tax rate adjustments and estimates of cost and time necessary to complete revaluation project.
Meets with taxpayers, attorneys, consultants, and other interested persons with inquiries about property value assessments, explaining the process for arriving at property valuation; addresses and seeks to resolve disputes pertaining to property value assessments; attends meetings of the Board of Equalization and Review, hearing appeals and defending tax appraisals.
Reviews the North Carolina Machinery Act, North Carolina Supreme Court decisions on tax cases, and the North Carolina Attorney General's rulings on ad valorem tax matters; advises and consults with County Manager on cases involving tax matters.
Prepares annual budget proposals in coordination with the Finance Department, including analyzing past expenditures to determine needs and submitting proposals to the County Manager; administers approved budgets, monitoring expenditures to ensure payments are made from proper accounts; implements policy and procedure recommendations made by outside auditors.
Prepares a variety of statistical and narrative reports and statements for submission to the County Manager and Board of Commissioners, as directed or otherwise deemed appropriate.
Assists and advises Department personnel with computer operations including performing routine maintenance.
Assists and advises department personnel with a variety of computer operations including software systems, web-based systems, updates, and third-party software systems.
Performs other related work as required.