Job Description

This position is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and maintenance of the County's real property ownership and description records. This position serves as a key liaison between municipal officials, assessors, surveyors, title companies, and the public to support fair and equitable property taxation. Duties include processing real estate documents, updating tax parcel records and GIS mapping information, coordinating the annual assessment roll process, and providing technical guidance on statutory requirements related to property listing. This position ensures compliance with Wisconsin Statutes, County policies, and established standards while delivering timely, accurate, and customer-focused service to internal and external stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Acts as the primary point of contact for the county with municipal assessors and local government officials for the property assessment process. Processes, distributes, and receives assessment rolls, assessment notices, assessor changes, related documents and files to and from municipal assessors, clerks, and treasurers. Compiles, prepares, and certifies the annual assessment roll and related reports for the use by the County, local municipalities, and the Department of Revenue. Reviews, interprets, and processes deeds, surveys, Certified Survey Maps, plats, annexations, and other land records documents to determine correct parcel changes. Assigns parcel numbers and creates tax descriptions for new parcels and continuously updated assessment land records database. Performs title research to confirm or correct ownership for property listing whenever discrepancies arise. Performs title research for department staff to support ordinance enforcement activities. Performs information and interpretation assistance with land records to the public, abstractors, realtors, surveyors, landowners, taxpayers, local officials, banks, state departments, and more. Sends written communication to involved parties (attorneys, title companies, landowners, taxpayers) should errors in legal description or ownership of lands be ascertained from recorded documents. Assists in maintaining the countywide GIS by analyzing and resolving errors and by updating tax parcel and address information, including edits to the Parcel Fabric and associated address point data. Uses ArcGIS Pro's coordinate geometry land surveying tools to update and correct the Parcel Fabric, analyzing all related computations to ensure accuracy and consistency. Assists in assigning rural addresses and maintaining related records in the assessment, taxation, and GIS databases, and provides address information to landowners, town officials, and emergency communications as needed for public safety. Create maps upon request or as needed for data sharing. Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the Public Land Survey System and coordinate geometry related to land surveying. Skill in using GIS software (ArcPro), tax listing systems, and land information systems. Knowledge with state assessment and taxation system including codes, classifications, activities, timelines and process. Knowledge and ability to read, write, and interpret legal descriptions, land surveying documents and real estate law regarding property conveyance. Knowledge of County and departmental policies, procedures and practices. Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with vendors, administration staff, department heads, and governmental officials. Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and operation of standard office equipment, software, and multi-line telephone systems. Ability to maintain accurate, legible notes and prepare organizational and functional reports from research data. Ability to read and understand basic County and State policies and procedures. Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently within stringent deadlines and with minimal supervision. Ability to prioritize duties and adapt to frequent changes while producing a high volume of work. Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, with a wide range of individuals, including the public, colleagues, and supervisors. Ability to read County policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; SDS sheets, safety manuals, maps, etc.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Strong mathematical skills, including performing accurate calculations for property and mapping data.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions, and to interpret and implement local policies, procedures, correspondence, and applicable Federal, State, and local regulations. Ability to define problems, analyze facts, exercise sound judgment, and deal with a variety of situations. Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations. Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and communications in accordance open records laws and applicable regulations. Ability to organize work, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee's supervisor.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, using hands to handle, feel, and perform fine motor skills and repetitive motions, and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms overhead or below the waist. Sufficient vision to perform tasks such as reading documents, operating vehicles, or working with detailed data. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels for tasks such as communicating with the public, colleagues, or over the phone. Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities. Work has no exposure to environmental conditions. Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily in an office setting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Associates Degree in geographic information systems, cartography, surveying, land information, legal or related field. Minimum of two (2) years' work experience working with legal descriptions, land and ownership records and/or GIS. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for above. Previous experience with land assessments preferred.

Expected Pay Range:

$26.57 - $30.07/hour

FTE:

1.0

Department:

Community Development


St. Croix County is an

equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to an individual's race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.