Chief Assessor

Chief Assessor

The Chief Assessor is responsible for planning, directing, and administering the activities of the County Assessment Office in accordance with Pennsylvania law and under the direction of the Deputy Director. This role oversees property valuation, assessment administration, and regulatory compliance for all real property within the county, including municipalities and school districts.

Essential Duties

• Directs and oversees all assessment operations for the county, including its 49 municipalities and 17 school districts, through subordinate managers and supervisors.
• Provides strategic leadership to a large, multi-disciplinary staff, including assessors, analysts, and administrative personnel.
• Establishes clear performance expectations, accountability standards, and productivity benchmarks.
• Promotes a culture of efficiency, continuous improvement, and professional development.
• Develops and implements long-range plans, policies, and operational procedures to improve departmental performance and service delivery.
• Ensures accurate, uniform, and legally compliant property assessments in accordance with Pennsylvania law.
• Oversees the valuation of residential, commercial, industrial, and complex properties using accepted appraisal methodologies.
• Applies and enforces the three approaches to value, including cost, sales comparison, and income capitalization.
• Monitors and analyzes real estate market trends to maintain current and equitable property values.
• Reviews and approves complex or high-value property assessments.
• Ensures compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
• Interprets and applies Pennsylvania statutes, case law, and regulations related to property assessment.
• Maintains assessment records in accordance with established standards and legal requirements.
• Oversees preparation for assessment appeals and provides expert testimony when required.
• Evaluates departmental workflows and implements improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Leverages technology and data systems to streamline assessment processes and reporting.
• Develops performance metrics and reporting systems to track productivity and outcomes.
• Identifies resource needs and reallocates staff or tools to optimize operations.
• Ensures effective coordination with other county departments, municipalities, and school districts.
• Serves as a point of contact for taxpayers, property owners, legal representatives, and public officials regarding assessment matters.
• Explains complex assessment concepts, processes, and decisions clearly and professionally.
• Resolves disputes and conflicts with tact, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• Presents reports, recommendations, and findings to county officials and boards.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in property appraisal and assessment, including supervisory or management experience.
• Certification as a Pennsylvania Certified Evaluator, or the ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe.
• Bachelor's degree in real estate, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Additional Information

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles, approaches, methods, and techniques of property valuation and assessment under Pennsylvania law.
• Knowledge of Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
• Knowledge of cost, sales comparison, and income capitalization approaches to value.
• Knowledge of real estate market trends and property valuation dynamics.
• Knowledge of legal requirements governing real property assessment in Pennsylvania.
• Knowledge of assessment record maintenance procedures and standards.
• Skill in appraising and assessing high-value and diverse real estate parcels.
• Skill in managing a large, multi-disciplinary technical and administrative staff.
• Skill in analyzing real estate market trends and valuation data.
• Skill in strategic planning, process improvement, and operational management.
• Ability to direct and coordinate large-scale assessment operations through subordinate managers.
• Ability to interpret income and expenditure statements as they relate to market value and assessment.
• Ability to read and interpret building plans, blueprints, surveys, and maps.
• Ability to develop policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.
• Ability to perform complex mathematical and valuation computations.
• Ability to interpret leases, deeds, installment sales agreements, and financial statements.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to resolve conflicts with professionalism and maintain effective working relationships.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, bend at the waist, speak, and hear. The employee may occasionally be required to reach or work with arms above shoulder level; kneel, stoop, crouch, squat, crawl, climb stairs, and twist or rotate at the waist while performing assigned duties.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment with occasional travel throughout the county.
• Standard workweek with additional hours as needed for appeals, reassessments, or special projects.

Compensation

• Compensation for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise.
• The County offers a comprehensive benefits package, which may include health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other applicable benefits in accordance with County policy.