Assistant to the Assessor

Salary : $77,114.13 - $112,738.91 Annually
Location : 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, IA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-0904-01
Department: City Assessor
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 10/12/2026 12:00 PM Central
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: MERIT
Residency Requirement?: No

General Information
Under the general direction of the Ames City Assessor, the Assistant to the Assessor supports assessment processes, property records, tax credit administration, and related office functions.

In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient.

Compensation Philosophy:
The City of Ames has a compensation philosophy for our merit salary ranges that provides growth for employees as they gain experience and expertise in their roles. The minimum pay of each range is intended to reflect an employee's qualifications that meet the position's minimum requirements. The median of any range is for an employee who can reasonably meet all expectations of the position responsibilities without initial or extensive training. The City may consider a candidate's education, experience, and skills that are above the minimum requirements when considering a salary closer to the median. The median salary for this position is $94,926.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at:

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit:
Examples of Essential Job Functions

• Read, analyze and interpret legal documents, legal descriptions and Iowa Statute.
• Review tax credit applications and maintain records related to exemption valuation, urban revitalization, assessment, and schedule records.
• Review records and documents for completeness and accuracy for property transfer including deeds, contracts, sales data, plats and surveys in all software systems.
• Maintain sales information for reporting and survey purposes.
• Assist and prepare assessment appeal materials, including initial review of comparable sales, assessment equity information and scheduling appraisals.
• Update the City Assessor website page as needed.
• Provide backup support for office staff and appraisers as needed.
• Completion of required assessment and appraisal courses.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Education and Experience:

• Associate degree or equivalent ; or 12 - 18 months related experience or combination of education, training, and related experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or equivalent software.
• Strong communication, reading, mathematical concepts, and problem-solving skills.
• Valid Iowa Driver's License and ability to travel for property reviews, meetings, training, and conferences. Must be able to comply with the requirements of the mileage reimbursement policy.
• Experience with residential property appraisal or assessment.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Knowledge of software including Vanguard CAMA, ESRI/ArcGIS, Beacon/Schneider, and Tyler/Incode.
• Experience with commercial and industrial property appraisal or assessment.

• ICA or IAAO designation, or ability to obtain a designation within 36 months of hire.

Licenses and Certificates: Must possess a valid Iowa Driver's License. The employee must be able to comply with the requirements established by the Conference Board to receive mileage reimbursement and drive a motorized vehicle to various locations to measure and list property and attend classes or conferences.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Necessary to Perform Essential Functions:

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from a group, manager or superior, clients, customer, and the public. Must have excellent communications skills, including written, verbal, and listening.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and 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 a tape measure.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardizations exist. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Supplemental Information

General Physical Characteristics: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel crouch or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds.
Required Physical Activities: 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.
Vision Requirements: Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust to focus.
Environmental Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Due to the nature of the office function, there may be times when the employee will be under stress from external sources. Occasionally it may be necessary to work beyond a traditional day including Saturdays. Some work is performed outdoors in hot and/or cold conditions.

EQUIPMENT:
Ability to operate computer, calculator, copier, scanner, fax machine, postage meter and multi-line telephone. Willingness to learn new programs.
Selection Process:

The selection process consists of an evaluation of education and experience; phone interview;on-site interview, which will include a manager meeting and written exercise; and completion of reference checks and a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry check. All candidates will be notified by email of their application status.

**Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.**

Depending on the number of qualified candidates, the City may forego phone interviews.

Veteran's Preference Points

The City of Ames provides Veteran's Preference Points for Civil Service positions. A copy of your DD214 and, if applicable, proof of disability, must be attached with your application (or faxed to 515-239-5294) prior to the close date of the posting in order to receive Veteran's Preference Points.
01

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02

Give a brief description of your experience with property tax assessments.
03

Give a detailed description of your experience with property transfer documents and legal descriptions.
04

Give a detailed description of your experience with property tax appeals.
Required Question