2D08
DIRECTOR OF ASSESSMENTS

This is management level real property tax assessment work directing, through subordinate managers, a large administrative and technical staff engaged in a city-wide real property mass appraisal, evaluation and assessment program for tax assessment purposes. Work includes responsibility for formulating intermediate and long-range program plans, directing the achievement of departmental objectives, and development of projections of the Real Estate Market and goals for the real estate market value, assessment and tax base. Work also includes review of special real property appeals filed by property owners, performing appraisals and assessments on high value properties, and meeting with City administrators, City Council, and other city and county officials to define assessment policy, trends, program goals and objectives. Responsibility for implementing appraisal and assessment mandates is a significant aspect of the work. The employee in this class works under the direction of the Executive Director of the Board of Revision of Taxes.

1. Only one position can be allocated to this class.
2. This position must be responsible for directing the City's Real Property Appraisal Program for the purpose of property tax assessment, through subordinate managers.
3. The work must be performed for the City's Board of Revision of Taxes.

Directs, through subordinate assistant administrators and a Geographic Information Systems Manager, a staff of technical and administrative personnel engaged in appraising real properties for the City's tax assessment program; coordinates procedures in the division for computing and maintaining consistency in the appraisal of properties within different geographic districts or specialties; informs subordinates of appraisal policies and record keeping procedures to be adhered to by Real Property Evaluators; consults with subordinates on difficult or controversial appraisal and assessment problems; establishes standards for quality and quantity of work performed by assessing staff and ensures that standards are being maintained; performs appraisals and assessments on high value properties.

Oversees the Philadelphia County State Tax Equalization Board (STEB), statistical common level ratio and related statistical measures of level and uniformity; directs the review and estimation of market values; conducts ratio studies and development of projections; directs the monitoring of mass appraisal and assessment process for complex and single high value properties.

Allocates funds within the real property budget; supervises and delegates the research of items included in the departmental budget; attends Finance Department and City Council meetings.

Directs, through subordinate assistant administrators and a GIS manager, the development and evaluation standards and procedures, provision of training for departmental assessment personnel, response to taxpayer inquiries, provision of information to the public about the duties and responsibilities of the board, and maintenance of property ownership maps and records.

Holds planning, problem solving and communication conferences with assistant administrators managers and supervisors; delegates work assignments and establishes priorities; directs the maintenance of various records and reports required for assigned units; coordinates activities of the evaluation and assessment staff with the Information Technology division to ensure full and proper utilization of automated appraisal techniques.

Confers with other departmental officials and unit managers on the development of intermediate and long range assessment plans, new and revised policies and procedures, and the achievement of performance objectives; consults with departmental managers on their recommendations for improving program direction and control, maintaining the accuracy of records and appraisals; meets with city officials and city council on matters of assessment policy, trends, and activity in the real estate market and budgets.

Keeps abreast of legislation pertinent to assessing and related ad valorem tax areas; ensures adherence to established city, state and federal laws and regulations; prepares written reports on agency operations.

Prepares special reports on aspects of the division's operations, programs, and policies; serves in a coordinating capacity on special projects affecting different sections of the department and other city departments.

Prepares annual real estate market overview with special emphasis on office and apartment buildings, hotels, general and specialized commercial, industrial and residential properties.

Confers with taxpayers, or their representatives, to explain the factors used in arriving at specific assessments; attends special appeal hearings held by the Board of Revision of Taxes and testifies regarding the basis and factors involved in determining the amount of the assessment; acts as the spokesperson to the media for the department and the city on matters of real property valuation and tax assessments. ; speaks before civic, business and community groups to inform public of the equalization program, assessment accuracy, level and uniformity program; confers with the Office of the City Solicitor and the Department of Licenses and Inspections regarding the assessment function.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the principles, approaches, methods, and techniques of property evaluation for mass appraisal and assessment purposes under Pennsylvania law
• Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice
• appraisal valuation theory and application
• the theory of values as applied to real property appraisal and evaluation
• the cost, sales comparison, and income capitalization approaches to value
• descriptive and inferential statistics including sampling techniques
• building construction methods and analyzing costs
• assessment record maintenance procedures and standards
• current real property values and trends in the local market
• management principles and practices
• the legal requirements affecting real property assessment under Pennsylvania law
• computer assisted mass appraisal and computer assisted assessment systems
SKILL IN:
• appraising and assessing high value and diverse real estate parcels and interest
• managing a large multi-disciplined technical and administrative staff engaged in real property mass appraisal, evaluation and assessment
• evaluating and analyzing trends and activity in the real estate market
• making forecasts and projections
ABILITY TO:
• direct a large staff of technical and administrative personnel for the real property appraisal program for tax assessment purposes for the city, through subordinate managers
• interpret income and expenditure statements as they relate to market value and assessment
• read and interpret complex building plans blue prints, surveys, registry maps, zoning code and historical certifications
• analyze procedures, policies, plans and guidelines
• make recommendations to improve operating efficiency
• develop procedures, policies, plans and guidelines
• make real property related mathematical computations
• interpret leases, deeds, installment sales agreement and financial statements
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
• resolve conflicts with the general public, taxpayers and property owners and their representatives using tact and diplomacy
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, taxpayers, and their representatives
• make real property related mathematical computations

EDUCATION

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major coursework in Government or Business Administration, or Real Estate or a related business field.

AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Six years of experience, two years of which have included supervising the appraisal and assessment of real property for tax purposes, including high value commercial, industrial, investment and apartment properties.

AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Four years of experience at the level of a director or deputy director of assessments directing real property appraisal and assessment work for a large city or county government.

OR


Any equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience, which has included a bachelor’s degree and the specific experience listed above.

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Certification as a C.A.E. (Certified Assessment Evaluator) from the IAAO (International Association of Assessing Officers).

General Appraiser Certificate issued by the Pennsylvania Board of Certified Appraisers.

Certification as a (CPE) Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator issued by the Pennsylvania Board of Certified Appraisers.

Equivalent certification issued by the official licensing agency of any other state.