Ramsey County is currently recruiting to fill the Director of County Assessor leadership position in the County Assessor's department.

The basic functions of this position are to lead, direct and administer all functions, programs, services, and employees of the County Assessor’s Department including its fundamental objective of estimating the market values and proper classification of approximately 164,000 tax parcels; to maintain responsibility for all functions of County Assessor as defined by state statute; and to perform related duties as assigned. This position reports directly to a Deputy County Manager and is part of the Information and Public Records Service Team.

Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy .

This position will remain open for application until filled. Applicants should respond promptly as initial screening of resumes and letters of interest will occur on May 4th, 2023.

If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).

• Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
• Serve as the County Assessor performing all required functions under Minnesota Statutes, including Chapters 273.061 and 383A.33.
• Ensure that all properties are accurately valued and correctly classified each assessment year.
• Direct the development of strategic goals and objectives and long range planning for programs and operations within the department, across the Service Team, and county-wide. Establish measureable program outcomes and oversee the development of continuous improvement and quality assurance measures.
• Direct and manage the delivery of department services, ensuring high quality, respectful services that provide equitable outcomes and meet the needs of the county’s residents.
• Direct and manage all operations of the department in alignment with the county’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Direct the development and management of the department’s operating budget including projecting funding levels, assessing existing and anticipated service levels, staffing needs, capital improvement plans, and program changes or requirements.
• Direct the county activities required to maintain accurate electronic parcel data and tax map records.
• Represent the department and the county in meetings/contacts with elected officials, state and federal officials, local government officials, officers and staff from other counties, property owners, and managers to negotiate satisfactory problem resolution.
• Represent the county before the news media, elected officials, state and federal officials and the community to present the county position on pending changes in laws, rules or regulations, and to explain county policies and procedures.
• Annually direct the appointment of the members of the County Special Board of Appeal and Equalization and provide oversight for the Board’s hearings.
• Provide direction and oversight to the process and procedures necessary to defend assessments, and resolve the Tax Court petitions filed to challenge the work of the assessor’s office.
• Represent the county in negotiations on large, complex commercial valuation appeals; approve valuation settlements where estimated market value exceeds fifty million dollars.
• Ensure the accuracy and efficiency of the division's computer-assisted mass appraisal (CAMA) system by directing the review and recalibration of existing systems and valuation models, the evaluation of alternative valuation methods and systems, and the use of robust sales ratio analysis techniques.
• Prepare directly and through supervision of professional staff, plans, analyses and documents in response to changes in laws, rules, regulations and changing environments to ensure appropriate action and response.
• Supervise the preparation of requests for county board action and attend meetings of the county board and its subcommittees to provide information and explain department proposals.
• Ensure that all required state reports and data submissions are submitted on time and in an accurate and professional manner.
• Direct, manage and oversee the selection of contractors, the negotiation and execution of contracts and agreements with vendors; monitor contracted services performance to ensure the delivery of effective services in compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies.
• Promote uniformity and equalization of the assessment by working collaboratively with other assessor’s offices and by maintaining an accurate and compete record of all real estate sales.
• Participate as a member of the county-wide Senior Management Team; work within and between service teams to advance county-wide strategic goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with other departments, service teams, and agencies to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate, Public Administration, Business Administration or a closely related field.

Experience: Eight years of experience in real estate appraisal or assessment. Experience must include five or more years of supervisory experience in the assessment unit of a complex governmental jurisdiction.

Substitutions: Four additional years above the required experience in a supervisory or management role in an assessor’s office in a jurisdiction with a total population of 125,000 or more may substitute for the required Bachelor’s Degree.

A Master’s Degree in Management, Urban Studies, Real Estate, Public Administration, or a related field may substitute for two years of the required Real Estate or Assessment experience.

License/Certification: Licensure as a Senior Accredited Minnesota Assessor as required by Minnesota Statute and the State Board of Assessors; or ability to acquire the license within one year of appointment. At the time of appointment must hold at least an Accredited Minnesota Assessor license.

This position will remain open for application until filled. Applicants should respond promptly as initial screening of resumes and letters of interest will occur on May 4th, 2023.

This is an unclassified, at-will position, holding a confidential relation to the department head or elected official. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration. Please read below for further instructions.

Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:
Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."

Interested candidates may apply by completing the online application and submitting a letter of interest and resume. Your letter of interest should include a brief (one page) narrative describing your interest in this position, understanding of the duties, and why you feel you are a suitable candidate for the position.

The letter of interest, resume and the application may be sent electronically by attaching the materials to the online posting. If you have difficulty uploading your materials, you may contact Jolie Vu at Gaohleechi.Vu@co.ramsey.mn.us or by phone at 651-266-2723 for assistance.

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Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health and well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language.

• Medical and dental insurance.
  • Medical and dental insurance is available through HealthPartners for single or family coverage. The county covers 92.5% of single health insurance coverage, 76.8% of family health insurance coverage, and 50% of both single and family dental insurance coverage.
  • The Healthy Benefits program is available to help lower office visit copays for employees and dependents each year.
  • A health care savings plan and health flexible spending accounts are also available to maximize tax savings on health expenses.
• Paid time off.
  • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees).
  • 11 scheduled holidays and one floating holiday.
  • Up to three weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below.
  • Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours).
  • Wellness incentive allowing you to convert unused sick time to vacation or pay.
• Retirement benefits.
  • Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments.
  • New employees become vested after five years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years.
  • Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match.
• Transit and parking.
  • Metropass program for a discounted monthly bus pass for commuters, saving employees $34.50 per month.
  • Flexible spending accounts for parking/transportation expenses.
• Employee well-being.
  • Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
  • Wellness programming.
  • Flexible spending account for dependent care.
  • Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions.
• Career development.
  • Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year.
  • Professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center.
  • County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
  • Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues.
• Disability leave.
  • Long-term disability - Coverage replaces 40% of your lost income after six months of disability.
  • Short-term disability - Optional short-term disability coverage provides 60% income replacement.