Property Tax Administrator

Job Title

This position is responsible for the calculation of property taxes and maintenance of property valuations, credits, and exemptions in the Auditor's Office. This position has direct supervision over the Real Estate Tax Division.

Job Duties

Audits, balances, reports, and manages real estate, utility, tax increment financing (TIF) valuations, and a varied group of tax credits / exemptions; performs maintenance and manages local government bond records and related outstanding debt.

Plans, coordinates and directs the work of staff involved in changes to county real estate data, such as owner name transfers, legal descriptions, values, credits and military exemptions due to recorded deeds, contracts, annexations, or surveys.

Assists the Assistant Auditor in all daily, annual, and statutory processes related to the Dallas County property tax and valuation systems.

Receives, edits, and balances the new year's values, credits, and exemptions, making corrections to values, credits, and exemptions, and maintaining records of corrections; provides final values, upon which taxes will be levied, to the public, taxing agencies, and state.

Reviews budgets of tax levying bodies ensuring statutory guidelines have been met including verifying that the budgets were correctly published / posted and contain correct property valuations, property taxes, and tax rates; contacts local government officials and takes corrective action required to bring the budgets into statutory compliance.

Maintains records and prepares reports on all taxable property in Dallas County by taxing jurisdiction / urban renewal district; calculates property tax on each parcel, including applicable credits / exemptions; creates and maintains complex computer spreadsheets and databases for rate calculation, data analysis, and reporting.

Balances the real estate system with respect to assessed / taxable valuations in taxing districts, school districts, utility districts, and TIF districts.

Reports all exemption / credit reimbursement data to the State of Iowa Department of Revenue for reimbursement in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Code of Iowa and the Department.

Manages and maintains the outstanding TIF area indebtedness, required by statute, using multiple sets of spreadsheets; records all indebtedness and offsetting TIF tax or other collections used to determine current outstanding indebtedness; communicates technical requirements / outstanding balances to the local TIF authorities.

Keeps detailed records and prepares reports.

Addresses and resolves problems that may arise with the public; answer questions and provides information to state and local government officials, attorneys, engineers, real estate agents and other members of the public.

Reviews / tests software for proper operation by comparing hand-calculated results to computer-generated results.

Participates in the development, enhancement and maintenance of computer applications as they apply to the real estate tax system. This includes high level collaboration with state and local officials to write administrative rules that supplement changes to the Code of Iowa.

Reviews office policies / procedures in order to recommend changes to improve workflow efficiencies and coordinates with Real Estate Tax Division management staff to implement the approved changes.

Performs related duties.

Qualifications

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Public Administration or related field.

Three to five years experience in taxation, public budgeting or accounting.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

Knowledge of the tax assessment cycle as defined in the Code of Iowa and Administrative Code.

Knowledge of the Iowa Department of Management budget website and the ability to draft, propose, adopt and certify budgets and budget amendments.

Advanced knowledge of applicable portions of the Code of Iowa, Administrative Code, and the county tax software system.

Ability to perform highly specialized and complicated valuation and tax calculations, in addition to performing all calculations by hand if needed.

Ability to think critically, perform highly complicated research that may include interpretation of intent, and seek advice from state and local officials when applicable.

Ability to create strong working relationships with taxing authorities in Dallas County, including but not limited to, financial analysts and bond counsel.

Ability to follow general and / or difficult instructions from state officials.

Highly effective in attention to detail.

Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.

Knowledge of county and departmental policies and procedures.

Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.

Skill in problem solving, prioritizing and organizing work.

Skill in the use of such office equipment as a computer, scanner, fax machine, and copier.

Skill in oral and written communication.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts objects of varying weight.

The work is typically performed in an office.

Eligible to telecommute in limited situations with the approval of the County Auditor.

Dallas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.