Finance and Taxation Officer

Salary: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 Annually

Location : South Burlington

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 202400041

Department: Finance/Assessing and Tax

Opening Date: 10/07/2024

Closing Date: 11/4/2024 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA: Exempt

Bargaining Unit: N/A

Job Summary

This position will serve as the Chief Assessor for the City of South Burlington and will be responsible for the overall management, administration, and collection of municipal taxes. This includes the oversite of the valuation of all real property for the City and maintaining and ensuring the accuracy of the Grand List. The Chief Assessor is responsible for all functions referenced to as "Lister" in Vermont State Statues.

This position will work closely with the Finance Director to ensure that all financial operations for the City are carried out effectively and systems are implemented. Priorities will include developing and maintaining financial and accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and procedures, state statutes & legislative requirements, to support municipal operations. This will also include understanding the City's financial systems, including accounts payable, general ledger, accounts receivable, and cash receipts.
Examples of DutiesAssessing and Tax Collection

1. Carry out the duties of Chief Assessor, as required by 24 App. V.S.A. ch. 13 §1902.
2. Oversee, manage, and ensure the accuracy and equitable assessment and valuation of the City's Grand List. This includes, but is not limited to CAMA software maintenance, property transfers, Homesteads, maintaining TIF district, State payments plus other exemptions.
3. Coordinate assignment of new streets and addresses with City 911 Coordinator. Collaborate with Public Works and Planning and Zoning Departments regarding the Grand List and GIS.
4. Manage municipal tax collection program and processes for the City to include billing, processing payments, monitoring accounts, and handling delinquencies.
5. Able to interpret cost tables, land schedules in the Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) system and other related computer programs.
6. Conducts continual market analyses that may require periodic property reappraisals, review of market transactions of residential and commercial real estate, current lease terms and rates, business expenses and rates of vacancy.
7. Defend property assessment appeals before the City's Board of Civil Authority, County Superior Court, State Board of Appeals, and Board of Abatement as is necessary and appropriate.
8. Provides and interprets assessment information and policies to the general public and City officials ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations related to tax collection and property assessment.

1. Assists in the preparation of departmental budgets in collaboration with Finance Director and City Manager or their designees.
2. Keeps an up-to-date centralized listing of all appropriate City capital assets utilizing GASB formulas and reporting requirements. Assist with tracking and processing accounting data pertaining to City's grants, loans and any other non-property tax funding in coordination with other departments or agencies in a clear and concise manner. Report problems related to billing and/or payment within these programs to the Finance Department.
3. Provide support and coordination of activities between all the staff and other departments within the City and performs other necessary tasks or functions as is necessary to accomplish City and Department goals and objectives.
4. Performs responsible accounting duties requiring the use of judgment and analysis within the framework of prescribed policies and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to governmental accounting.
5. Perform monthly account reconciliations.
6. Provides necessary assistance with annual financial audit conducted by outside auditors.
7. Maintains confidentiality and/or disseminates information in an appropriate manner relating to financial matters regarding city operations.
8. Recommends changes to accounting process to improve transparency and ease with which the public can understand the City's accounting practices.
9. Assists in the development of and revisions to the City's accounting procedures.
10. Uses all available modules of the City's computerized accounting system.
11. Other duties and special projects as assigned.

1. Proficiency with MS Office, particularly Excel, required. NEMRC Software a plus.
2. Establish effective working relationships with employees and the public.
3. Work requires ability to be detail-oriented and maintain a very high level of accuracy.
4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with both internal and external customers to include city residents, employees, other internal departments and leadership and City officials.
5. Work with the public using patience, professionalism, and tact to ensure compliance with all rules, regulations and laws.
6. Fast paced and deadline driven work environment requires excellent organizational skills while completing tasks timely and accurately.
7. Demonstrated commitment to customer satisfaction and supporting a team-oriented work environment.
8. Work collaboratively and maintain general knowledge of the Planning and Zoning Department and City Clerk's Office.
9. Effectively collect and report varied types of information and data as they relate to property values.
10. Experience in municipal tax collection, assessing and customer service, or any equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
11. Experience in federal grants management
12. Flexibility to handle multiple assignments and associated tasks.

• Generous Paid Vacation and Sick Leave plans
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement - Vermont Municipal Employee System (VMERS)
• 457 b Deferred Compensation Plan
• Short-term and Long-term Disability
• City provided Life Insurance and Accidential Death insurance plans