TAX ASSISTANT - 40000048, 40000055

Join Durham County Government
Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast-growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields—giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more at www.dconc.gov.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE:

Performs responsible clerical work involving the listing and recording of taxed properties or with the receipt of taxes and fees and the preparation and/or maintenance of fiscal or related records.

Work is performed under regular supervision.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Provide assistance to citizens listing real, personal, and business properties for the purpose of paying taxes, assessments, and fees. 

• Enters, verifies, modifies, corrects, and adjusts tax data through computer terminal.

 • Types emails and mails duplicate tax bills to taxpayers.

• Receives and answers inquiries, complaints, and service requests within boundaries of taxation regulations.

• Collects, receipts, balances and accounts for tax collections and fees daily according to Cash Handling Policy.

• Enters, verifies, modifies, corrects, and adjusts tax data through computer software.

• Prepares, files, processes and pulls real estate cards, maps and related documents.

• Audit of cash received from tax payments.

• Assists in the preparation of bond letters.

• Maintains control records not requiring involved procedural determinations.

• Assists attorneys and paralegals with basic tax questions.

• Transfers and document ownership of property and estates.

• Assigns and maintains account numbers to existing and new real estate property ownership and real estate data.

 • Operates standard office equipment.

• Performs related tasks as required or requested.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILTIIES:

• Knowledge of general office practices, procedures, and equipment.

• Knowledge of cash handling procedures, secure cash handling, counterfeit detection, and transaction documentation.

• Knowledge of customer service standards.

• Knowledge of basic real estate and property tax laws.

• Knowledge of basic bookkeeping techniques.

• Excellent organizational and research skills.

• Proficiency in the use of computers.

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy.

 • Ability to communicate and interpret information to a diverse population.

• Ability to handle irate customers.

 • Ability to respond to customer inquiries and resolve issues effectively.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Any combination of experience and education equivalent to graduation from high school. • Three years (3) of experience in a customer and/or public service-oriented job in the areas of office/clerical work, accounting or bookkeeping.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIRONMENT):

Unavoidable hazards refer to job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

• None.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

• Must obtain Assistant Tax Collector certification within two (2) years of eligibility, if position is in Collections.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE:

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. 

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT:

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.