Assessor

The Assessor collaborates with the team to maintain and update descriptive data about all properties in Sturgeon County as well as develop benchmarks and processes that enhance the quality of assessments.

This role also supports the annual defense of all market value assessments through education of the public and formal defense at assessment review boards.

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

**Inspections (40%)**
- Conducts regular, annual, and cyclical reviews (inspections) of Sturgeon County property to determine physical changes to assigned properties.
- Completes inspections to Farmland, and market value properties (residential, and small-scale mixed use non-residential properties) to collect, verify, and analyze land or building characteristics, property use and ownership information.
- Collaborates with manager or senior assessor to perform Industrial property inspections.
- Determines accessibility, use, and descriptive information of properties, using methods such as field or aerial imagery structural measurement, research of applicable legislation, and other data gathering procedures.

**Administration (30%)**
- Prepares and maintains data record on each assessed parcel to accurately inventory land, structures, property characteristics, and any applicable assessment exemptions.
- Applies or helps to develop property CAMA systems benchmarks or equitable procedures for assessing all market value properties and farmland.
- Completes preparation and maintenance of database of sales data on sold properties, evaluating information on transfer documents to ensure validity of transactions.
- Understands and can relate and/or calculate property tax information to rate payers as needed.

**Analysis & Defense (25%)**
- Assists Senior Assessor with the mass appraisal valuation of all market value property within Sturgeon County.
- Completes review of property sales data on sold properties, evaluating information on transfer documents to verify validity of transactions and quality of existing property data.
- Collaborates with team to analyze market trends to determine property values and/or the accuracy of assessments.
- Applies rural property tax exemptions and/or deductions.
- Explains assessed values to property owners and defends market value assessment complaints at Assessment Review Boards.

**Other Related Duties (5%)**
- Attends conferences, courses, and other training workshops to participate in the mandatory recertification program with the Alberta Assessor’s Association as per Municipal Assessor’s Regulation.
- Completes special projects and other assessor duties as required.
- Adheres to applicable responsibilities and accountabilities as outlined in the Sturgeon County Health and Safety Management System.

**KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE**

**Required**:

- Two-year post-secondary diploma in property appraisal or equivalent.
- A minimum of 4 years of assessment experience in a municipal environment.
- Hold at least one professional designation with the Alberta Assessors Association (AMAA), or Appraisal Institute of Canada (CRA, AACI), or International Association of Assessing Officers (RES, CAE).
- Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills using courtesy, tact, and discretion in dealing with requests, complaints, and clarification of information.
- Ability to work in a team environment or independently, with the ability to take initiative and be self-motivated, and demonstrate a commitment to continual learning.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to make decisions and accept responsibility for them is vital.
- Working Knowledge of SQL and other data management software.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of products.
- Ability to work outside in all weather conditions.
- Must have a valid Driver’s License and an acceptable driver’s abstract.

**Assets**:

- Familiarity with GIS, taxation, permit systems, CAMAlot software.
- Diploma - graduate from a recognized 2-year assessment and appraisal program.
- Microsoft office, SQL, GIS
- Accredited member of Alberta Assessors Association.