Assessor's Office Technician

Houston County is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time Assessor's Office Technician to provide technical and administrative support to the office staff, along with office management/receptionist duties.

Position Details
A technical clerical employee who reports to and acts under the general supervision of the County Assessor. This position provides administrative support for the Assessor and for County appraisers. The Technician is responsible for responding to landowner inquiries and assisting the public in applying for land classification programs and maintaining land record data. 

Distinguishing Characteristics
The Assessor’s technician performs a majority of his/her work with limited supervision in accordance with established standard operating procedures.   This position is frequently the first point of contact for landowners addressing questions and concerns.   Therefore, the person in this position requires strong interpersonal and customer service skill sets.Office Management / Reception (25%)

• Perform general office reception and assist members of the public in retrieving existing property tax records, property appraisals, and comparable sales 
• Monitor/order supplies, prepare outgoing daily mail, and track office budget  
• Prepare communications, including mass mailings, for the Assessor (homestead forms, special agricultural homestead, communication to city/township officials) 

Appraiser Support (60%) 

• Responsible for mass mailing homestead applications  
• Advise land owners as to special land classification programs for which they may be qualified and assist them in completing their applications for tax programs such as Green Acres/Rural Preserve and 2c Managed Forest 
• Maintain department records; monitor/track assessment program data for homesteads, managed forests, GA/RP, exempt, SFIA, wetlands and State assessed lands
• Proofread certificates of real estate value for accuracy/correct clerical errors/recommend other corrections 
• Monitor the daily deed transfer log for new entries, update office records, check for potential homestead issues, contact homeowners to ensure landowners receive the proper homestead status for the following year, and enter sales data into CAMA 
• Update records of sales and splits of parcels for Appraiser review; submit sales information to Minnesota DOR
• Working with appraisers, developing department processes and procedures manual

Assessor Support (15%) 

• Draft all state-mandated public notifications; submit notifications to official newspapers subsequent to approval by Assessor
• Coordinate/schedule local and County Boards of appeal and equalization with townships and cities and maintain records of the meetings. Assemble booklets for the boards of appeal and equalization meetings for each taxing entity for each meeting
• Perform regular audits of the website to ensure accuracy, draft recommended updates.
• Maintain homestead data
• Obtain veteran homestead status list from VSO and update records
• Exchange/communicate cross county homestead information with Fillmore and Winona counties
• Enter SSNs into tax system for homestead credit applications and generate duplicative list for Assessor’s resolution  
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as directed        

Education and Experience 

• Associate’s degree or certification in office management or related field, including course work in accounting 
• One or more years of progressively responsible office management experience.

-OR-

• High school diploma (GED) 
• Two or more years of progressively responsible office management experience

Pre-Employment Required Essential Skills and Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of Office Suite 
• Office management and reception skills
• Ability to calculate accurately and to apply the concepts of basic algebra and geometry

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• A strong working knowledge and ability to manipulate Excel, AS400, CAMA (Vanguard), Minnesota Department of Revenue Virtual Room
• A strong understanding of property valuation processes and regulations
• A general understanding of tax assessment processes
• Ability to read and understand legal descriptions

In addition to strong technical expertise, the person in this position must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities

• Record of teamwork & collaboration with technical professionals and users 
• Demonstrated evidence of effective professional verbal and written communications including the ability to effectively respond to common inquiries or complaints from taxpayers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community
• Possess strong analytical skills, including the ability to accurately identify technological problems and determine appropriate courses of action
• Ability to work independently, accepting responsibility and accounting for his/her actions, skilled in planning, organizing and working as a team member 

Incompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the Physical/Environmental Demands

FUNCTION	N/A	<25%	25% - 49%	50% - 74%	>74%
Office Environment					X
Sitting					X
Standing, Walking		X
Simultaneous/Repetitive Hand Movements					X
Typing/Data Entry					X
Close Vision (Near Acuity)					X
Distance Vision (Far Acuity)	X
Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)	X
Accommodation (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus)					X
Hearing/Speech					X
Sedentary (Exert up to 10 pounds of force)					X
Light (Exert up to 20 pounds of force)					X
Lifting, carrying or pushing of objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds		X
Lifting, carrying or pushing of objects up to fifty (50) pounds
Lifting or pushing of objects over fifty (50) pounds	X
Adverse movements such as  overhead, bending, reaching		X

Competencies Common to All County Positions

• Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures;
• Demonstrate, by personal example, the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff;
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible;
• Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities;
• Represent Houston County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.

NOTICE  

A County employee in this position may encounter non-public data as defined by Minnesota or federal law in the course of their position. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that is necessary to fulfill the defined job duties. While data is being accessed, the employee shall take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data is not accessed by unauthorized individuals. Once the work purpose to access the data is reasonably finished, the employee must properly store and secure the not public data in accordance with applicable County policies as well as Minnesota and federal law. All employees are expected to become familiar with and comply with the requirements of the County’s Data Practices and Data Security Policies.  A breach of these policies may lead to disciplinary action against the employee. 

TO APPLY: submit your online application to Houston County by clicking the green "apply" button on this page.  Please attach a cover letter and copies of any applicable certifications to your application file.
If special accommodations are needed to complete this application for employment, please contact the Houston County Personnel Department at 507.725.5822.

Application Deadline: 4:30 p.m., Friday, September 25, 2026.