Tax Technician
Department of Finance

Non-Exempt, Pay Grade 11
 

The Tax Technician performs moderate to complex tax administration and debt collection work to enforce collection of current and delinquent taxes, fees, and other payments due to the County; interacts extensively with taxpayers and the legal community; completes related assignments as required. Work is performed with a considerable degree of individual responsibility and independent judgment. Does related work as required.  Essential functions include, and are not limited to the following:

• Provides assistance to taxpayers in person, by telephone, by email, and written correspondence;
• Participate in the assessment of personal property including adding and removing taxable items to and from tax roll, and updating addresses on accounts;
• Process payments received by mail and electronically for personal property, real estate taxes, business taxes, utility taxes, bank franchise taxes, state taxes and fees, and other payments due to the County, and in person when necessary;
• Assist cashiers in balancing cash drawer and transactions edit report from the financial management system; serves as cashier as needed;
• Research, analyze and resolve moderate to complex tax issues pertaining to billing, payment, deposit, financial reporting, funds management, taxpayer complaints and policies in-person, by phone, internet, and correspondence; research and adjust customer tax accounts and issue exonerations, supplemental bills, refunds and DMV stops;
• Processes tax relief applications for Manager’s review and approval, including and assist in the mailing of annual renewal notices;
• Establishes payment schedules of delinquent taxes and monitors compliance; coordinates collections with the Revenue Agent III or the Collection Manager when necessary;
• Process electronic files download and uploads including processing the weekly DMV files, DGIF, Aircraft, Lockbox, Paymode, ICL, etc. with accuracy, completeness and efficiency;
• Collects and enforce the collection of taxes, business license, special taxes and other fees to the County through issuance of notices and delinquent collection action;
• Assist with the reconciliation of General ledger funds including state funds, collection agency fees, and others;
• Reviews and enters business tangible personal property returns, including assessing and mailing notices to non-compliers;
• Responsible for the bank draft program;
• Educate taxpayers on county tax legislation and policy including billing deadlines and programs available to the public through the Finance Department;
• Counts monies and checks, and prepares total sheets and bank deposits;
• Assist Division Manager with research of taxpayer complaints, and resolves problems involving cash, overpayments, refunds, and receipts;
• Handles mortgage company bill requests and processes payment file.
• Interpret and apply tax codes for local applicability including the Albemarle County Code, Title 58.1 Taxation Code of Virginia, Title 46.2 of the Virginia Criminal and Traffic Law and relevant sections of the Code of Virginia;
• Create and maintain taxpayer files in accordance with operating standards, records retention, Accounting Department and external audit requirements;
• Comply with internal controls, security and auditing policies to ensure all collections of funds processed are properly accounted for, balanced, secured and deposited daily;
• Maintain and prepare financial and statistical reports for State and various subsidiary use including external auditors and Division Manager;
• Attend various professional, association and education seminars and meetings including those offered by the Virginia Commissioners of Revenue Association, Treasurers Association of Virginia and Virginia Government Finance Officers Association;
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:   Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree in finance, tax policy, accounting, public administration or related area combined with at least three years of experience as a paralegal, in debt collection, tax administration, Treasurer or Commissioner of Revenue’s office or related field; and experience involving contact with the public. Designation of Master Treasurer/Deputy Treasurer or Master Commissioner/Deputy Commissioner of the Revenue earned through the Treasurers or Commissioners Association of Virginia is desirable. OR any equivalent combination of education, experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Comprehensive knowledge of tax assessment and collection techniques, ordinances, debt collection policies and laws. Comprehensive knowledge of the laws pertaining to the collection of delinquent accounts. Knowledge of tax laws. Ability to interact professionally under difficult circumstances and to communicate effectively under pressure. Comprehensive knowledge and ability to use computer operations, systems, and procedures. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to meet and deal effectively with businesspersons, attorneys, and the public, and to enforce the tax ordinance with firmness. Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply various complex tax and debt collection laws. Demonstrated ability to train and educate others on all aspects of debt collection techniques, practices and law. Ability to work with complex computer applications. Demonstrated ability to comprehend and follow complex instructions. Demonstrated ability to represent the county in General District Court, Circuit Court and various professional, association and education seminars and meetings.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AND NATURE OF WORK CONTACTS:  Regular contacts made with individuals from: (a) other internal organization units, or (b) outside organizations, or, (c) frequent contact with the general public for purposes of exchanging factual information which may require some judgement or interpretation in order to be responsive to questions for applicable to a specific situation. Communication is usually cooperative in nature, with infrequent conflicts resolved by higher authority. Conducts work in a sitting position; however, job requires frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping and light lifting., Requires frequent operation of a variety of office machines.

SALARY:  Hiring Range:  $16.33 - $19.60/per hour based on experience, and internal equity

                Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy, §P-60.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:  11/13/2018