WE ARE GRAND HAVEN CHARTER TOWNSHIP
Grand Haven Charter Township is a thriving, full-service municipality serving nearly 20,000 residents in Northwest Ottawa County along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. With a State Equalized Value of more than $1.8 billion, the Township is committed to responsible growth, fiscal stewardship, and delivering exceptional municipal services.
We are an organization built on trust, collaboration, innovation, and outstanding customer service. Our employees are empowered to make decisions, embrace continuous improvement, and help shape the future of our growing community.
We are seeking an experienced Assessing Director to lead the Township's assessing operations, provide exceptional service to residents and property owners, and help ensure the accuracy and integrity of the Township's assessment program.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Administers Michigan property assessment laws for the Township
- Complete and file all assessing reports as required by the State of Michigan in a timely manner
- Timely deliver the certified assessment roll to the local Board of Review for March meetings
- Provide administrative and technical support to the Board of Review.
- Prepares petitions, schedules meetings, makes recommendations, send notifications and defends all tribunal appeals for Special assessments
- Prepares Special Assessment roll
- Administers the Land Division Act as it applies to the State Statue and Township ordinance; Ensuring the accuracy of land divisions, splits and combinations of parcels
- Timely provide a copy of the assessor’s database to the County equalization department
- Prepares correspondence, records, and reports, and presents information as needed
- Create and maintain the Assessor’s Office Policy
- Prepare departmental budget
- Aid in preparation of Property Tax Rolls
- Prepares IFT application and maintains a separate roll
- Responds to questions from the public concerning property valuation
- Represents the township at various meetings throughout the State and County
- Oversee formulation of departmental policies and procedures.
- Assists in review, hiring, discipline, and termination of employees/contract employees
- Supervises the performance of (performs in the absence of staff):
- -Appraise and assess all taxable property
- -Prepare and maintain the assessment roll, property classifications, property descriptions, special act rolls and other assessment records and have an established procedure to update records on a regular basis
- -Assist legal counsel in the prosecution or defense of cases arising out of assessment administration activities.
- -Appear before the Michigan Tax Tribunal (both Entire Tribunal and Residential Property and Small Claims Division) to defend property tax appeals.
- -Conduct personal property canvases.
- -Ensures mass appraisal compliance with USPAP and the State Tax Commission Assessor's Manual
- -Field inspection, appraisal, recording, and verification of real and personal property assessments to properly analyze structural and location value in determining assessments.
- -The collection and interpretation of real estate market data.
- -Building permit activity examinations, inspects new construction upon completion, and check building permits to verify values for tax purposes.
- -Conduct sales assessment ratio studies and make decisions regarding residential or commercial property in need of reassessment.
- -Processing principal residence exemption affidavits, property transfer affidavits, deeds, and other tax exemptions.
- Use, maintain and calculate as necessary, the following assessment records:
- -Appraisal record card system,
- -Personal property record system,
- -Tax (cadastral) maps,
- -Economic condition factor determinations,
- -Land value determinations,
- -Current year assessment roll,
- -Photos of dwellings and outbuildings affixed to appraisal record cards and/or stored electronically using assessing software,
- -Homeowner’s principal residence and qualified agricultural property exemption documents,
- -Record of site visits to individual parcels, and
- -Historical assessment data
- Other duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:
- Hearing, speaking, seeing, reading, having contact with professionals (i.e. bankers, investment professionals), decision making.
- Physically examine the interior and exteriors of single and multi-story buildings, which have no accommodations for the handicapped and which at the time of inspection, may be under construction.
- Able to physically inspect building sites with steep terrain, such as dunes and eroding bluffs along Lake Michigan's shoreline.
- Able to read and comprehend building blueprints, draw and input building information into a computer, and read legal descriptions and identify respective properties to which they refer.
- Effective reading, writing, communication, and public interaction
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- Extensive knowledge of Michigan laws, ordinances, and regulations affecting municipal government operations, as well as the principles, methods, techniques, and regulations governing real and personal property appraisal and assessment.
- Ability to effectively manage conflict, deliver presentations to the Township Board and the public, interpret aerial maps and construction plans, prepare and maintain accurate records and reports, and analyze, organize, and present data and recommendations.
- Michigan Advanced Assessing Officer (MAAO) Certification.
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent technical training in real estate, finance, or assessing work with a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the appraisal of land, residential, commercial, and personal property.
- Valid driver’s license.
WHAT WE OFFER:
- A competitive salary range of $81,250 - $102,613
- Health, dental and vision coverage for you and your family, including a Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution.
- A 401(a) plan, through the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (MERS), with a 10% Township contribution.
- A generous paid time off program to help you keep a healthy work/life balance.
- Financial protection through short and long-term disability, life, accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
- Educational reimbursement benefits and access to a fitness facility to keep your mind and body healthy.
When you become a Grand Haven Charter Township employee, you do more than simply change jobs. You become part of the GHCT family, a group of talented individuals who provide superior customer service to their residents and visitors, love their jobs, embrace change and celebrate the community that is Grand Haven Charter Township!
HOW TO APPLY:
- Send resume and cover letter to [email protected] or apply online through Indeed
- Any questions can be directed to Karen Sherwood, Assistant Manager/Human Resources Director, at 616.604.6309.
- Application deadline: August 6, 2026, or until filled.
Grand Haven Charter Township is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting and retaining the most qualified employees regardless of religion, race, sex, color, national origin, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Pay: $81,250.00 - $102,613.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have your Michigan Advanced Assessing Officer (MAAO) Certification, which is REQUIRED for the job?
Work Location: In person
