This exceptional opportunity offers a blend of public service, technical program administration, financial analysis, and customer engagement. As the Exemption Specialist, you will play a critical role in administering complex property tax exemption and deferral programs that directly affect senior citizens, disabled persons, agricultural operations, and designated forest landowners. Your expertise will help ensure that eligible property owners receive the benefits provided by law while maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and fairness of county assessment programs.
Working with minimal supervision, you will interpret and apply federal, state, and county requirements, evaluate complex income documentation, make eligibility determinations, and communicate decisions to the public and, when necessary, the Board of Equalization. The role provides an outstanding opportunity to expand your expertise in property taxation, public-sector administration, regulatory compliance, and program management while contributing directly to effective and equitable government services. Your work will help the Assessor's Office meet statutory deadlines, maintain accurate public records, protect confidential information, and deliver responsive service to the community.
As the Exemption Specialist, you will:
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Administer property tax exemption and deferral programs, including Senior Citizen and Disabled Persons, Current Use, Designated Forest Land, and Nonprofit ensuring decisions comply with applicable laws, rules, and department policies.
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Review financial and tax documentation, including IRS tax forms and supporting records, to calculate qualifying income and determine applicant eligibility.
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Evaluate income audits and specialized exemption applications, including Homes for the Aging exemptions, applying sound judgment to complex or incomplete financial information.
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Approve, deny, or remove applicants from exemption programs based on statutory requirements and defensible analysis, while clearly explaining decisions to property owners and the public.
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Defend exemption determinations on behalf of the Assessor before the public and, when required, at the Board of Equalization.
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Review real estate excise information involving exempt properties and complete prorations when an exemption is removed.
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Determine and prepare requests for property subaccounts when exempt properties require specialized assessment treatment.
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Process complex personal property listings, assessment roll corrections, appeals, and related specialized assessment records with a high degree of accuracy.
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Complete department administrative functions including payroll processing, accounts payable, purchasing, inventory control, and tracking of budget line items.
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Coordinate SharePoint and web-based information resources, helping maintain accurate and accessible department information for staff and the public.
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Deliver responsive customer service through in-person, telephone, and email interactions, providing clear guidance to applicants regarding program criteria, documentation, deadlines, and application status.
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Educate senior and disabled applicants and other members of the public by assisting with required forms and explaining complex program requirements in an understandable and respectful manner.
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Conduct field visits and research as necessary to support exemption determinations, property records, and assessment-related activities.
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Maintain confidential documents and sensitive taxpayer information in accordance with county policies, legal requirements, and established records-management practices.
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Navigate complex federal, state, and county laws, rules, codes, directives, and legal documents to make accurate, consistent, and well-supported program decisions.
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Ensure reliable, organized, and timely completion of assigned responsibilities while adapting priorities to changing workloads and departmental needs.
What you bring:
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Experience: Associates degree in a closely related field from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education AND one year of clerical/office support experience providing customer service with the public in person or by telephone OR three years of clerical/office support experience providing customer service with the public in person or by telephone
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Technical Background: Prior experience in customer service, financial, or regulatory work reviewing information, maintaining accurate records, following established policies and procedures, and assisting customers or the public
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Communication/Interpersonal Skills: Ability to provide respectful, accurate, and accessible service in person, by telephone, and through email. Able to translate complex eligibility requirements into clear guidance while helping applicants navigate forms, documentation requirements, and application processes
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Preferred Qualifications: Experience involving property taxation, exemption or deferral programs, assessment administration, income analysis, public-sector regulatory programs, tax documentation, or related government services
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Relevant work experience demonstrating required knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for educational requirements. Work experience is essential and cannot be replaced by additional education
For the complete job description: Exemption Specialist
For more information about the department: Kitsap County Assessor home
