Salary : $38,292.80 - $57,012.80 Annually Location : Fort Dodge, IA Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 309 Department: County Assessor Opening Date: 07/30/2025 Closing Date: 8/31/2025 11:59 PM Central Job Description WEBSTER COUNTY WILL CONTINUE TO RECRUIT UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED. WE HAVE DECIDED TO REPOST THE POSITION AFTER WE HAVE MADE A COUPLE OF MODIFICATIONS FROM THE INITIAL POSITION POSTING. Working directly under the supervision of the Assessor and Deputy Assessor, collects data to be used for real estate appraisals on existing, remodeled property or new construction including evaluation of all the components related to the premises. In addition, provide general office, clerical, and related administrative support operations. Duties and Responsibilities The following duties are typical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may and will be required and assigned.
- Learn basic understanding of the principles and practices of real estate appraisal, laws and ordinances pertaining to the assessment of real estate.
- Assist in the appraisal process of all classes of properties in the field and in the office as required.
- Conduct field work by evaluating existing real estate and collecting data necessary to determine assessed valuations by performing related work as required.
- Handle physical requirements of being out in the field working in all weather conditions, e.g., getting in and out of vehicle, walking around properties, bending and reaching to obtain measurements
- Take the initiative to always scan property record details for potential errors, outdated obsolescence or notes that need to be changed.
- Interpret notes form field work completed on new construction, construction removed or revaluation changes. Calculating math changes accurately, process changes accurately.
- Compute property values utilizing the Iowa Department of Revenue's State Manual and the CAMA system.
- Update the assessor's main real estate files and CAMA files, including data entry and sketches, if necessary.
- Operate vehicle safely possessing a valid Iowa driver's license and proof of insurance and drive in various weather conditions. Must have use of own vehicle in performance of duties and responsibilities.
- Work flexible hours, if needed.
- Prioritize workload.
- Sort and file records.
- Make photocopies, fax records and keep accounts of all copies, mail and fax transactions. Scan documents and transfer information to CD or DVD.
- Answer telephone, convey messages, and transfer calls to the appropriate person.
- Greeting and wait on customers at the counter. Give information to customers as allowed by law. Help the public in a timely, efficient and competent manner.
- Learn and be able to adequately explain to the public the definition of market value as it relates to assessments.
- Learn about and be able to explain the tax credits and exemptions that are available to the public, the appropriate deadlines and assist the public with the application if necessary.
- Learn and be able to explain the assessment process of all classes of properties, how values are derived and how the appeal process works.
- Correspond with customers through mail, telephone, fax and email.
- Utilization of Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel and Outlook programs.
- Maintain good communication and good working relationships with co-workers, immediate supervisors, other departments, and the general public.
- Always maintain a professional attitude and appearance while representing the office and use good judgment in personal time activities.
- Conduct business with other offices/departments in the courthouse and county system in a congenial and businesslike manner. Understand that it is in the best interest of this office to always cooperate with those offices/departments and their personnel.
- Refrain from activities that would have an adverse effect on the public opinion or general effectiveness of this office.
- Attend schools, conferences, seminars, and meetings as required by the assessor.
- Answer questions from or give responses to the media only as direct by the assessor.
- The skill level of the appraiser is expected to continually increase over the term of the appraiser's employment.
Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Minimum education required is graduation from high school or a GED. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to respond to questions from the public and present accurate information to customers and general public. Must have excellent written, verbal, listening and communication skills. Must be able to read, write and speak English. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability, statistical inference and fundamentals of geometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations. Ability to use and read tape measure and/or electronic measuring device. REASONING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. TECHNICAL SKILLS Ability to operate pc/laptop, telephone, calculator, printer/copier, scanner, fax and digital camera. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen, sit, stand, and walk for substantial periods of time. Handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. Reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 and 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close up, distant, color, peripheral, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to comply with the requirements established by the Board of Supervisors to receive mileage reimbursement and drive a motorized vehicle to various locations to measure and list property or attend classes, meetings or seminars. Additional Information Beginning wage is $18.41. After six months of employment, individual would receive step increase to $19.92. After one year of employment, individual would receive step increase to $21.46. Webster County may recognize applicable work experience comparable to our Field Appraiser position when determining starting wage. WEBSTER COUNTY BENEFITS 2024-2025 Effective July 1, 2024 ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES Regular (Full-time) and Regular (Part-time) employees where indicated. Eligibility is first of the month following 30 days of employment. (Benefits for Bargaining Unit employees may differ - see current labor agreement) IPERS Eligibility requirements - Must be an active employee to begin deferrals, the employee becomes a member on the first day for which the employee is paid IPERS-covered wages. Regular members must contribute 6.29%. Webster County contributes 9.44%. Temporary employees hired to work less than 6 months are not eligible. PAID HOLIDAYS Webster County recognizes the following eleven full day or half day holidays: New Year's Day Presidents' Day 1/2 day Good Friday (pm) Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day Day after Thanksgiving 1/2 day before Christmas Day (pm) Christmas Day PAID TIME OFF (PTO) Eligibility for use of this benefit starts immediately upon accrual. Full-time and part-time employees earn paid time off (PTO) according to the following schedule: Yrs of Service PTO Accrual Max Per Pay Period Max Per Year 0 thru 1.00 .0500/hour 4.00/pay period 104 hours 1.01 thru 4.00 .0692/hour 5.54/pay period 144 hours 4.01 thru 9.00 .0885/hour 7.08/pay period 184 hours 9.01 and over .1077/hour 8.62/pay period 224 hours SHORT-TERM DISABILITY Webster County provides full-time employees continuing income when they are off work due to illness or non-work related injury. Full-time employees are eligible for STD following completion of six continuous months of employment. Calendar day 1 through 7 (Waiting period): Employees use their PTO hours Calendar day 8 through 60: STD will be paid at 90% of the employee's base pay Calendar day 61 through 120: STD will be paid at 80% of the employee's base pay Calendar day 121 through 180: STD will be paid at 70% of the employee's base pay LONG-TERM DISABILITY Webster County provides full-time employees long-term disability income insurance coverage. Employees will receive 60% of their covered monthly earnings so long as you qualify for benefits under the master Insurance plan. HEALTH INSURANCE Full-time employees are eligible on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (Alliance Select PPO) and Partial Self-Funding by Group Services - Monthly Premiums Employee: $43.86/month (Webster County pays $833.28/month) Employee/Family: $339.40/month (Webster County pays $1,719.92/month) DENTAL INSURANCE Full-time employees are eligible on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Delta Dental - Employee Choice Plans (Employee/Employee+1/Family) - Monthly Premiums Preventive Plan: $14.32/$28.50/$59.16 Preferred Plan: $28.58/$55.92/$104.98 Platinum Plan: $35.70/$69.90/$131.24 VISION INSURANCE Full-time employees are eligible on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Avesis Vision Plan - $10.00 co-pay toward exams, $150.00 allowance for frames. Employee: $11.50/month Employee/Children: $23.69/month Employee/Spouse: $21.74/month Employee/Family: $30.48/month LIFE INSURANCE Full-time employees are eligible on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Dearborn National $10,000 term life policy. No cost to employee. GROUP ACCIDENT INSURANCE Full-time employees are eligible on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. ISAC policy for accident insurance benefits resulting from accidents and AD&D benefits. CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE Full-time employees are eligible on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. ISAC policy provides each employee a lump sum benefit of $5,000 at no cost upon diagnosis of a covered critical health condition. In addition, ISAC policy provides additional fixed, lump-sum benefit amounts at an employee cost, upon diagnosis of a covered critical health condition. FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT Full-time employees are eligible on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. A tax-savings benefit offered at no cost. Allows you to pay certain health and/or dependent care expenses with pre-tax earnings. Maximum contributions: Medical FSA: $3200.00 Dependent Care FSA $5000.00. AFLAC Full-time employees are eligible on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Several voluntary benefits such as Dental, Short Term Disability, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident, and Cancer Care coverage are available through a local agent utilizing payroll deduction. 457b PLAN Full-time employees are eligible on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Employees are eligible to participate in the Webster County 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. It is a supplemental retirement-savings program that offers a tax-advantaged way to invest for potentially more retirement income.
