Connecticut Association of
Assessing Officers

The Town of Southington is hiring a full-time Assessor to manage the Assessment Office. The position is 35 hours/week and offers a comprehensive benefits package. This position involves responsibility for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable real estate, business, personal property and motor vehicles within the Town for the purpose of establishing uniform and equitable valuations for taxation. The Assessor directs and administers the town-wide real and personal property assessment system as prescribed by state statute and subject to administrative determination of policy.

Responsibilities:

• Plans, directs, and organizes the work of the Assessor’s Office in accordance with statutory guidelines.
• Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites work flow. Receives written and oral instruction from the Town Manager; Issues written and oral instructions to department staff; assigns duties and examines work for exactness, neatness, and conformance with policies and procedures.
• Researches and brings to resolution problems and complaints
• Participates in the valuing of taxable property to establish an annual grand list
• Trains and supervises department staff and ensures efficient office operations; Administers collective bargaining agreement and personnel policies for office employees, including payroll for office employees
• Performs inspections of existing properties, improved properties and properties under construction to determine value of properties. Projects estimated values of proposed building or commercial developments for planning purposes
• Maintains and updates information concerning land, motor vehicles, and personal properties
• Supervises maintenance of assessment maps including subdivisions, and GIS parcel layer updates
• Prepares required reports for the Town Council, Board of Finance, and to State and Federal agencies • Attends Town meetings as necessary
• Develops and manages department operating budget
• Coordinates and oversees the periodic revaluation of all taxable and nontaxable property; Supervises contracted appraisal services and revaluation services and is responsible for acceptance of contracted work
• Coordinates assessment appeals, serves as principal spokesperson of the town in any litigation arising out of the assessment process
• Works closely with Tax Collector to assure timely notices and collections
• Reviews and records authorized tax exemptions; Administers tax exemption programs for the elderly and veterans based on income and age eligibility requirements
• Establishes and maintains appropriate working relationships including open lines of communication with State and Federal officials, Town officials, public offices, the general public, other departments and agencies and coworkers
• Performs arithmetic computations, requiring absolute accuracy in examining, verifying, and correcting assessment amounts.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of real and personal property valuation principles, techniques, and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to interpret and comply with state statutes, ordinances, rules, laws, regulations and resolutions governing property appraisal
• Skill in interpreting and analyzing data and preparing complex spreadsheets and reports
• Strong computer skills including accurate data entry, CAMA software, GIS, and Microsoft Office products
• Ability to read and understand property documents, surveys, maps, deeds, and appraisal manuals.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; Ability to organize and express thoughts and ideas through written and oral communication including clear, concise, accurate and timely financial reports and statements
• Ability to maintain confidentiality; Ability to carry out all responsibilities of the job independently and without supervision; Ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities in a sometimes-stressful environment
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and communicate effectively with colleagues and the general public; must be able to respond to difficult situations, ease tensions and address disturbances

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field and successful completion of all course work for Certified Connecticut Municipal Assessor (CCMA) designation; OR High school diploma or GED, CCMA designation and five (5) years of experience in connection with the handling of real and personal property; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides a demonstrated ability to perform the duties of this position.
• Must be bondable.
• Must possess a valid Connecticut motor vehicle driver’s license.
• Appraisal licensure preferred but not required.

Job Description and Application Link