Lead Tax Specialist

Job Description:

Lead Tax Specialist

Description

Lead Tax Specialist - Business and Personal Tax Unit
Department of Finance & Budget
Full Time, 12 Months
Non-Exempt, Pay Grade 29
Benefits Eligible, VRS Eligible

Job Summary/ Objective:

Performs complex assessments of personal property, machinery & tools, mobile homes, all types of business taxes and administers relief programs as required by law. Interacts extensively with the public and the legal community for assistance to inquiries. Performs related and other duties as assigned. Works under the supervision of the Revenue Manager.


Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Essential Functions:

• Provides professional, empathetic, and informative assistance to the community through in-person, virtual, email, telephone and written correspondence pertaining to local assessments of personal property, machinery & tools, mobile homes, and business taxes including explaining related state and County tax laws, policies, and programs.
• Resolves complex tax problems or issues pertaining to assessments of personal property, machinery & tools, mobile homes, business taxes and relief programs by conducting review, examination, research, analyzing, and adjustment in accordance with state and County tax laws, policies, and procedures.
• Provides operational support to unit employees and serves as the first level of supervisory response to customer inquiries.
• Participates in personal and business tax assessment, exemptions, relief program administration and account maintenance to ensure accurate records, notes, and digital files are in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures.
• Manages the downloads, uploads, processes, reviews, communications and validations of weekly, monthly, and semi-annual resource digital files and reports from various federal and state agencies and County departments including the Federal Aviation Administration, Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Virginia Department of Social Services, County Department of Community Development, and County Attorney’s Office to ensure accurate assessment of personal property, machinery & tools, mobile homes, business taxes and mandatory reporting.
• Provides quality control for timely, accurate, equitable, and proficient assessment of personal property, machinery & tools, mobile homes and business taxes and relief program administration through reconciliation of various system data reports and exonerations, researching returned mails in accordance with operating procedures.
• Communicates accurate, timely and effective information governing the requirements of all locally administered taxes and relief programs to the public including those from federal and state agencies, such as Internal Revenue Service, Virginia State Corporation Commission, Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Maintains strong working knowledge of state and County laws to interpret, determine, apply and process proper license classifications and tax types of all business establishments subject to County’s local taxes through effective interactions with the business community, and relief eligibility for the tax relief programs through review of complex financial, investment and tax statements and resource systems in accordance to operating procedures.
• Reviews extensive big data reports from state and local resources for necessary statutory assessment to non-responsive taxpayers.
• Participates in the processes for tax compliance outreach to enhance customer service experience and taxpayers’ awareness of their local tax responsibilities and accessibility to tax payment options.
• Participates in the fiscal year-end preparation of financial and statistical reports for the financial audit.
• Seeks out process improvement opportunities in all workflows and functions within the unit and provides input and feedback in the development and improvement of financial and administrative policies and procedures.
• Mentors team employees by sharing working knowledge and experience to develop mentees of tax administration and support their professional growth.
• Attends and represents the County in court as needed.
• Attends various educational classes, meetings, seminars, and conferences, both in-person and virtually, including those offered by the Virginia Commissioners of Revenue Association, Treasurers Association of Virginia, and Virginia Government Finance Officers Association to maintain professional development.
• Provides administrative support by performing purchasing duties to maintain unit operational needs through approved internal and external purchasing methods and ensure proper financial practice in accordance with related policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competency: Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities:

Knowledge:

1. Comprehensive knowledge of tax assessment authority concepts, methodology and techniques authorized under state and County laws.

2. Working knowledge of regulatory State agencies’ requirements for business establishment.

4. Clear understanding of confidentiality, Virginia Secrecy Act, and the laws governing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

5. Advanced working knowledge of computers, scanners, phone queue, and Microsoft Suite of products.

Skills:

1. Exceptional customer service skills

2. Comfortable facilitating virtual meetings via Teams with taxpayers

3. Strong oral and written communication skills requiring empathy, clarity, tactics and discretion to cover confidential, sensitive, or controversial material and to motivate, persuade, or influence individuals or groups.

4. Time management skills to prioritize and multi-task workload to meet tight deadlines, and dynamic customer service demands.

5. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to apply laws, rules, policies to a multitude of situations with solutions.

Abilities:

1. Ability to learn and navigate complex online computer systems and software applications to access information assisting receipting, billing and collections and local tax assessments processes.

2. Ability to interpret and apply various tax assessment laws.

3. Ability to comprehend and follow complex instructions and process procedures.

4. Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with the public, other departments, and agencies.

5. Ability to interact professionally under difficult circumstances and to communicate effectively under pressure.

6. Ability to handle high volumes of tasks including calls and emails during peak seasons.

7. Ability to make sound judgement in analyzing information and/or situation to be responsive to questions or issues.

8. Demonstrated ability to train others on all aspects of assessments techniques and practices.

9. Demonstrated ability to represent County in General District Court, Circuit Court and various professional, association and education seminars and meetings.

10. Demonstrated ability to keep extremely accurate and detailed records

11. Ability to promote cultural understanding and competency and an organizational climate of equity and inclusion.

Required Education and Experience:

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s degree in finance, taxation, accounting, public administration, business administration, or related field providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• 3 years of experience as a paralegal, billing and collection, banking, tax administration, business administration, or related.
• 3 years of customer service and/or public contact experience

Preferred Qualifications/Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Designation of Master Governmental Deputy Treasurer or Master Deputy Commissioner of the Revenue.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Physical Conditions:
• Office environment
• Nature of work:
• In-person meetings
• Virtual meetings
• Telephone calls
• Presentations
• Extensive use of computers
• Operation of a variety of office equipment, including telephones, scanners, copiers, etc.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, and light lifting.
• Occasional vehicle or air travel for meetings, conferences, class, etc.
• Work contacts:
• Internal organization departments and other County employees
• Residents
• Elected officials
• State agencies
• Senior leadership
• Interactions:
• Exchanging information
• Responsive to questions and/or situations
• Use of tact and diplomacy
• Infrequent potential for uncooperativeness

Remote Work:

This position is eligible for a hybrid remote work schedule that is in compliance with the County’s Remote Work Policy and meets the operational and service needs for the position. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Salary Range:

The hiring range for this position is $20.83 - $33.33 per hour, which is approximately $43,329 - $69,327 annually. Starting offer is based on applicable education beyond minimum requirements and internal equity. The position also provides excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. This is a full time, FLSA non-exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy, §P-60.

Deadline for Applications : Position open until Thursday, January 1, 2026.


Albemarle County Core Values:

Albemarle County holds its employees to the highest standards in fulfilling the County’s Vision and Mission. We believe in excellence in public service through

Community: We expect diversity, equity and inclusion to be integrated into how we live our mission.

Integrity: We value our customers and co-workers by always providing honest and fair treatment.

Innovation: We embrace creativity and positive change.

Stewardship: We honor our role as stewards of the public trust by managing our natural, human, and financial resources respectfully and responsibly.

Learning: We encourage and support lifelong learning and personal and professional growth.

Virginia Values Veterans

Albemarle County is a Certified V3 organization.

EOE/EEO:

Albemarle County is an equal employment opportunity employer, and does not discriminate against any group or individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability in regards to any aspect of employment policy and practice: recruitment, testing, selection, assignment, pay, conditions of work, training, leave, overtime, promotion, discipline, demotion, and separation.