Assessment Operations Manager

Salary : $103,336.48 - $124,402.20 Annually
Location : City County Building 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Madison, WI
Job Type: PERMANENT FULL TIME
Job Number:
Department: Assessor
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026 11:59 PM Central
Comp. Group/Range: 18/14

General Description
We're seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join the City Assessor's Office as the Assessment Operations Manager. This position plays a vital role in developing, implementing, and managing the City's property appraisal and assessment program. This position is responsible for planning, directing, and evaluating the work of property appraisal staff and administering the ongoing appraisal of all commercial, residential, and agricultural property throughout the City in compliance with the Wisconsin Property Assessment Manual, applicable state statutes, and case law. Work is performed under the general supervision of the City Assessor, who reviews the work upon completion for conformance with strategic objectives and policy level determinations.

Skills needed for this position include:

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills with experience training, mentoring, and supporting staff.
• Experience in commercial and residential appraisal and assessment, with application of state statues and case law.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and statutory deadlines.
• Strong customer service and communication skills when working with the public, staff, and external agencies.
• Strategic and analytical mindset with experience improving processes, developing policies, and supporting data-driven decision-making.

Work Hours: Flexible schedule supported between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM Monday through Friday. Teleworking opportunities may become available after the initial probationary period is served.
IMPORTANT: YOU MUST ATTACH A MAXIMUM OF A TWO (2) PAGE COVER LETTER IN THE ATTACHMENTS SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION, RESPONDING TO THE FOLLOWING PROMPT:
PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS, PROVIDING SPECIFIC EXAMPLES:

• COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE, INCLUDING APPRAISAL EXPERIENCE;
• SUPERVISION OR MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE, OR EXPERIENCE LEADING A TEAM OR PROJECTS;
• EXPERIENCE WITH DATA ANALYSIS, MANAGEMENT AND HOW TO USE DATA TO INFORM DECISIONS; AND
• ANY LITIGATION OR LEGAL PROCEEDINGS EXPERIENCE RELATED TO REAL ESTATE, INCLUDING YOUR ROLE AND LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT.

**APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT THIS ATTACHED COVER LETTER WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION.**

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
Operations Management

• Plan, direct, and evaluate the work of property appraisal staff.
• Hire, train, supervise, evaluate, promote, and discipline appraisal staff.
• Plan, direct, and evaluate the work of the Assessment Technician staff. This is done in partnership with the Business Systems Manager to establish uniform standards for data collection and management.
• Develop and recommend standards and controls to measure the degree of operational effectiveness, analyze workload, and review various functions on an ongoing basis to verify and sustain effectiveness and economy.
• Prepare and/or review various reports and studies relative to office operations.
• Participate in the overall management of the City Assessor's Office; Provide for the continuity of office operations during the absence of the City Assessor by carrying out general supervisory and administrative functions.
• Assist with completion of required analysis and documentation for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (WI DOR), the City's Finance Department, and other impacted agencies.
• Assist in reviewing Computer-Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) workflows and system audits.

Appraisal/Valuation

• Determine the need for and direct assessment efforts to reflect property improvements, demolitions, changes in land use or other pertinent valuation factors.
• Develop strategic plan for valuation in applicable software in both geographic scope and by property type for all locally assessed classes of property.
• Develop and recommend policies and operating practices relative to the valuation program.
• Assist the commercial appraisal team with establishing income and expense models and periodic review and updating of models as market conditions change.

Appeals/Legal Issues

• Direct the preparation and presentation of cases presented to the Board of Assessors, Board of Review, Circuit Court, Appellate Court, Supreme Court, and the WI DOR.
• Testify as a hybrid or lay witness as required.
• Serve as a member of the Board of Assessors.
• Act in the capacity of the City Assessor at Board of Review hearings.
• Support appraisers in presentation of evidence at Board of Review hearings and response to evidence provided.
• For commercial cases, work with the City Attorney and City Assessor in the preparation and presentation of appeals.

Public Relations

• Explain appraisal and assessment procedures to property owners, developers, department/division personnel, and elected officials.
• Represent the City Assessor in various meetings with the general public, taxpayer associations, real estate groups, business groups, and neighborhood groups, as needed.
• Represent the City Assessor at meetings of the City Council and Mayor's Office.

Perform other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years experience in applying the following:
  • Commercial and residential property appraisal and assessment principles, practices and techniques and relevant state statutes and case law.
  • Computer software applicable to the duties of the position, including Microsoft 365 and CAMA software; AND
• Familiarity with:
  • Full range of supervisory principles and practices, which includes hiring, training, directing, evaluating, and disciplining, along with handling labor relations matters.

-OR-

• Three (3) years of senior-level supervisory or management experience appraising commercial and residential property; AND
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, or closely related field.

-OR-

• Four (4) years of senior-level supervisory or management experience appraising commercial and residential property; AND
• Associate's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, or closely related field.

Other equivalent combinations of experience, training, and education that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position will also be considered.
The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the
Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• Certification by the State of Wisconsin as an Assessor 2 and Assessor 3 within six (6) months of employment Failure to obtain the required certifications during the first six months of employment may result in removal from the position, absent extenuating circumstances.
• The employee may be expected to attend meetings and provide presentations outside the normal work schedule, including evenings and weekends.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to physically access various types of property throughout the city.
• Ability to walk over uneven terrain, climb stairways, and otherwise access property.
• Ability to stand or sit at a computer workstation and desk for long hours.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, including computer, phone, copier, etc.

The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.
Compensation
The City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current for pay for all classifications. Employees receive increases based on tenure with the City.
Benefits
The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below. Please visit our for more information.

Leave
Vacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used after completion of probation. The general vacation schedule is below.
0-3 years 10 work days of vacation
After 3 years 12-1/2 days
After 7 years 15 days
After 11 years 17-1/2 days
After 15 years 20 days
After 19 years 25 days
After 27 years 27 days
Employees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.
Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve).

Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.

Retirement
The City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.
Insurance
The City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability)
• Long Term Care Insurance

Other Benefits
The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including:
• 457(b) deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bus Pass on Madison Metro
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employer-paid Training
01

Please indicate your highest level of education from the choices provided (Please note that a degree is not required for this position):

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance or a closely related field.
• Associate's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance or a closely related field.
• Unrelated degree
• No Degree

02

Please list the degree type(s) and field(s) of study.
03

How much supervisory experience do you have appraising commercial and residential property?

• Five (5) to less than seven (7) years of related work experience
• Three (3) to less than five (5) years of related work experience
• Less than three (3) years of related work experience
• None

04

Which of the following best describes your property appraisal and assessment experience?

• Commercial and Residential Property Appraisal
• Commercial Property Appraisal Only
• Residential Property Appraisal Only
• Other type(s) of related property appraisal
• None of the above

05

If you selected other type(s) of property appraisal, please briefly describe your experience.
06

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY--YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ANSWER THE PROMPT IN YOUR COVER LETTER. You must attach the document in the "Attachments" section of the application or you will not receive further consideration for this position. Your response will be evaluated on your writing ability including: spelling, grammar obvious reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI), and your ability to express your thoughts in a logical fashion. By checking this box, you acknowledge the above and understand that your response is required and failure to attach your cover letter will immediately eliminate you from consideration.

• Acknowledged

07

Please describe your professional experience in the following areas, providing specific examples:• Commercial and residential real estate, including appraisal experience;• Supervision or management experience, or experience leading a team or projects;• Experience with data analysis, data management and how to use data to inform decisions; AND• Any litigation or legal proceedings experience related to real estate, including your role and level of involvement.

• My cover letter that addresses this prompt is attached to my application. (Two (2) pages maximum)

Required Question