Exemption Coordinator
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Assessing Department
Posted March 25, 2021
Employment Type Full-time, Non-exempt
Compensation $49,565.88 - $52,584.06
Company Assessing Department
Location 1000 Commonwealth Ave, HR Dept., Room 210
Newton, MA 02459
US
DESCRIPTORS
WELCOME

The City of Newton, Massachusetts is currently seeking qualified and interested candidates to join our team of dedicated public servants!

Dear future team member,

I am very pleased that you have decided to visit the City of Newton Recruitment Page provided to us through our Applicant Tracking System and partners at Hyrell. Provided below are details about the City of Newton, both as a community and as an employer, as well as details relating to the position which you have shown an interest in.

I recognize and respect the amount of time you are about to invest by applying for an open position with the City of Newton. If you complete this job application, you will be kept informed via email (and text messages, if you opt in) throughout the evaluation process. By continuing with this job application, you will be asked to answer job-specific questions. Upon receipt of your responses, we will evaluate your submission. If you are selected for a personal interview, you will receive an email or text with scheduling instructions.

The City of Newton places a high value on diversity, equity and inclusion, and on ensuring that our employees are representative of the multi-cultural community we serve.  Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from all walks of life, and education and experience levels, to considering applying with us.

We hope that you will find our online job application and process applicant friendly and we look forward to considering your candidacy for one of the great roles we have available with the City of Newton.

Sincerely,

Michelle Pizzi O’Brien, M.P.A.
Director of Human Resources

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus.  The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

City of Newton Organizational Chart             


AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset.  To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits.  We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities.  We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings.  We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees.  And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing [email protected].

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

  - Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
  - Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
  - Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
  - Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
  - Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
  - Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible for coordinating personal tax exemptions for income eligible elderly, surviving spouse, minor children, veterans with service-related disabilities, the blind and other qualified individuals. Reviews utility discount program applications, and administers street, sidewalk and sewer betterment billings and apportionments. Assists in front-counter public contact.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Meets with, processes, and/or provides information to taxpayers regarding personal exemptions, betterments, payoffs, warrants, bills and utilities discounts.
  • Reviews and processes all applications containing highly confidential information, and other documentation received from the elderly, veterans, surviving spouses, minor children, the blind and other persons to determine income and exemption eligibility. Follows established guidelines to approve or deny exemptions, with reason, in writing.
  • Coordinates all exemptions, water discounts, and betterments. Compile data for DOR year-end report and approval letters required for state reimbursement.
  • Coordinates update of application status and data enters information into computer systems. Tracks applicants, processes exemption certificates and tallies approvals by class.
  • Determine income level from IRS for 1040 and use necessary schedules and other information to verify total gross income. Prepares follow-up letters requesting additional or verification of information, and if necessary makes follow-up phone calls.
  • Compiles billing records for sidewalk, street, and sewer betterments.
  • Coordinates with City Clerk for new Board Orders, determine billing and date of bill, verify with the Engineering division on the date of work completion.
  • Mails out new betterment bills, complies payment dates, maintains database of all betterments and updates daily report from Treasurer's Office.
  • Reviews received water and sewer discount applications for eligibility and recommends approval or denial based on established criteria. Requests additional information or verification of data. Informs Water and Sewer Department of denials and approvals.
  • Assists in billing for sidewalk alterations and repairs, water and sewer liens. Prepares betterments billing warrants. Processes betterment and 41A payoffs.
  • Assists all customers by responding to requests for information, including researching database for information on real and personal property assessed values, motor vehicle excise, abutters lists, personal and charitable exemptions, and scheduling property inspection appointments.
  • Provides support to appraisal and administrative staff, as needed.
  • Follows and adheres to department, City and other government rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Prepares routine correspondence, letters, memoranda, records, cards, forms and other documentation or information. Performs data entry and/or retrieval.
  • Answers telephone, answers email, and attends department counter and provides necessary assistance regarding department policies, procedures, and laws. Generates listing sheets. Processes routine motor vehicle excise abatements.
  • May be required to organize, maintain, update, scan, and purge section files, documents, and data.
  • Performs other similar or related duties as assigned/required.
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachlors Degree and one to three (1-3) years of related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Knowledge of clerical and support practices, office procedures and the operation of office equipment such as personal computers and computer software, data processing and/or word processing.
  • Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to present information effectively, which may be controversial in nature, one-on-one, or in small groups, to citizens and employees of the City.
BENEFITS
  • City Retirement (Mandatory)
  • 457 Deferred Compensation plans
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Health insurance
  • Metro Credit Union
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Direct Deposit
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Generous paid leave time benefits and paid holidays.
  • Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees
  • Verizon Wireless discount