Description

LANSING, MICHIGAN

CITY ASSESSOR

Lansing, MI (pop. 112,644) – Located both in Ingham County and Eaton County, Lansing’s highlights include the historic Capital Building, a walkable downtown, large convention center, a minor league baseball stadium, dozens of restaurants, and diverse housing options.  The City of Lansing truly offers plenty for everyone in a dynamic and livable city!

The City Assessor is responsible for keeping inventory and value of all assessable property within the City.  As part of the City’s executive management team, the position will work closely with other leaders to develop and implement short and long-term strategic plans needed to accomplish the City’s goals and fulfill its mandates.  Lansing is a strong Mayor form of government.  The position of City Assessor is appointed by the Mayor and reports to the Deputy Mayor.  This position manages a staff of nine (9) and a budget of $1,755,264.

The Assessor’s Department is responsible for establishing fair and equitable property tax assessments for City of Lansing taxpayers. The Assessing Department annually establishes the Assessed and Taxable Value of all taxable property located within the City, which includes 37,000 residential parcels and 6,000 non-residential parcels.  It is the responsibility of the Assessor’s Department to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the assessment and tax rolls. That responsibility includes:

• Processing Principal Residence Exemptions (Homesteads), Principal Residence Exemption Rescissions, Conditional Rescission of Principal Residence Exemption request.
• Processing land division or any legal description changes to the assessment or tax rolls.
• Reviewing all deeds and updating the tax roll to reflect current property ownership.
• Maintaining a record of sales activity to determine fair market value and assessed value.
• Continually updating property information with new construction and demolitions.
• Assisting taxpayers with information, including appeal information.
• Maintaining a record of all business personal property along with the valuation and exemptions.
• Annually calculating capped and taxable value for all property.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possess a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Possess a State of Michigan Level IV (MMAO) Assessor’s Certificate.
• Five (5) years of experience in public assessment, including three (3) years at a supervisory level; and a college level class in supervisory management.
• Experience defending assessments before the Small Claims and full Michigan Tax Tribunal.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of appraisal methods and techniques, Michigan property tax laws, and the theory and practice of property assessment and the mass appraisal processes accepted in the State of Michigan.
• Considerable knowledge of real estate terminology and interments of transfer, building materials, practices and terminology and the application and use of computer-assisted assessment program.
• Considerable skill in planning and supervising the work of employees and in preparing budgets.
• Comprehensive skill in interpreting legislation, in evaluating ratio studies, and in communicating assessment policies and practices to taxpayers, local officials and the general public.

Preferred candidates will have:

• A customer service orientation, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness when dealing with employees, elected officials, and the public in both cooperative and contentious situations.
• A commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• The ability to be a confident, a problem solver and a consensus builder committed to the tenets of transparency, collaboration, and inclusiveness. 

Salary range is $120,000-$135,000 DOQE, with a comprehensive benefits package.  

Apply online at LINK TO APPLICTION.  The City of Lansing is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity, equity and inclusion and seeks candidates who represent a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.  Questions regarding the position may be directed to the attention of Elizabeth O’Leary, City of Lansing Human Resources Director, Elizabeth.O'Leary@lansingmi.gov or Jaymes Vettraino, Vettraino Consulting, jobs@vettrainoconsulting.com. 

Candidates will be reviewed upon receipt of application, with preliminary reviews to be completed by January 8, 2026.