Guardian Advisory Partners, LLC. has been retained by the Midland Appraisal District Board of Directors (the Board) in Midland, Texas, to recruit the next Chief Appraiser / Assessor-Collector. Reporting to the Board, the Chief Appraiser / Assessor-Collector, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer (the CEO), will provide leadership over appraisal and collection responsibilities while supporting a relationship with local Taxing Entities. The Board appoints the CEO, who implements the directives of the Board of Directors. The CEO is responsible by state statute for discovering, listing, reviewing, and appraising taxable property and collecting tax levies in Midland County, Texas. The CEO is the administrative head of the District.
The CEO is responsible for developing a team that supports the administration of appraisal and collection with various departments, including the Deputy Chief Appraiser, Operations Manager, Compliance Officer, Director of Administration, Director of Information Systems, Collections Supervisor, Director of Residential Appraisal, Director of Business Personal Property, Director of Commercial and Special Appraisal, and Executive Administration Assistant. The CEO is expected to engage the District’s employees and operational budget. Through various departments, the CEO ensures full administrative support to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) and assists in managing taxpayer appeals each year.
The CEO provides transparency and maintains an open-door policy with governing/legislative bodies of the taxing entities served by the District and their administrative staff. They will seek ongoing dialogue with county commissioners, mayors, city council members, school board members and superintendents, city managers, and school superintendents. Additionally, open government transparency will be available to the media, citizens, business groups, corporate staff, and legal representatives of agencies as a convenience, not a request.
The Opportunity:
The Board requires a visionary leader with an open, transparent, respectful, and collaborative management style. The individual should be resourceful, accountable, and adept at developing solutions through partnerships, strategic planning, and fiscal stewardship. Strategic thinking will be critical to identifying opportunities and making data-driven decisions to create innovative approaches and ideas that adapt to changing needs and conditions internally and externally. The Administrator will provide support, advice, and strategic-level recommendations to the Appraisal District Board.
The Midland Appraisal District’s CEO should embody integrity and transparency, consistently upholding the highest ethical standards and ensuring that operations and decisions are conducted transparently, honestly, and fairly. This role requires a seasoned leader with a proven track record of guiding teams to success and crafting a positive work environment that both inspires and motivates.
A core strength in clear verbal and written communication is vital, especially when conveying intricate appraisal and collection concepts to a diverse audience, ranging from property owners to government officials. Possessing a strategic vision is critical; the ideal candidate will always look ahead, anticipating potential challenges and harnessing opportunities that resonate with the District’s mission. A detail-oriented approach is necessary to ensure precision in all appraisal and collection-related documentation.
A successful candidate will possess an acute sense of stakeholder engagement, wherein proactive and meaningful interactions with community members, local businesses, and governmental entities are the norm. Committed to continuous learning, the ideal candidate will stay informed of the latest industry practices, laws, and technologies in property appraisals and collections. Their problem-solving will be marked by strong analytical and critical thinking skills, ensuring effective resolutions to challenges. In this ever-evolving domain, adaptability is paramount; the successful candidate will demonstrate resilience and flexibility, proving their leadership in diverse scenarios.
The Responsibilities of a Successful Candidate:
The CEO is responsible by state statute for discovering, listing, reviewing, and appraising all taxable property in Midland County using generally accepted appraisal techniques and the collections of levies for the City, College, Hospital, Schools, and CUD.
The CEO is the administrative head of the District with responsibilities that fall into several broad categories, including:
- Administrative Appraisal and Collection Responsibilities:
- Administering the provisions of the Texas Property Tax Code. Ensuring that property appraisals are performed in accordance with Texas state law and Midland Appraisal District policies.
- Notifying all property owners of any change in property value in a timely manner.
- Preparing all appraisal records and presents them to the Appraisal Review Board for review.
- Notifying each taxing unit of the total value within its jurisdiction and the values of individual properties listed on the appraisal rolls.
- Certifies the appraisal rolls annually.
- Provides Truth-N-Taxation calculations for collection entities.
- Acting to ensure all levies are collected at a 98% or higher collection rate.
- Receiving applications for tax exemptions of all types and administering the granting or denial of those exemptions.
- Managing the pursuit of all litigation.
- Ensuring the accurate and timely submission of appraisal rolls and other required reports.
- Engaging in continuous process improvements to optimize the appraisal processes.
- Directing the formulation of the District’s budget and establishing controls and programs, as necessary, to ensure the sound fiscal operation of the organization. Preparing and submitting to the Board and taxing entities a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the District for the preceding year.
- Serving as principal advisor to the Board on various technical and administrative issues, developing programs for effective management, long-range planning, service-oriented goals, and programs while fostering open and candid relationships with the taxing entities and the public.
- Assuming, at the direction of the Board, a leadership role in District-wide and regional matters. Working closely with the taxing entities, civic, business, and community representatives, private citizens, and other appraisal districts. Maintaining current knowledge on legislative matters affecting District operations and the welfare of its taxing units.
- Representing the District in public forums, meetings, and interactions with the media openly and honestly.
- Supervising and managing the appraisal/collection staff and operations of the District.
- Staying up to date on the latest property valuation techniques, trends, and legal requirements.
- Performing such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors
Qualifications:
Education:
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Public Administration, or similar fields is preferred, or seven to ten years of administration experience in a Metropolitan Appraisal District.
Experience:
- A minimum of seven to ten years’ senior management experience with emphasis on demonstrated organizational development and executive management of a large governmental agency, financial services organization, association, or municipal government is desired. A minimum of five years of background in policy-making positions emphasizing financial management/analysis, data processing systems, and intergovernmental relations is necessary.
- Experience in organizations with strong customer service orientations and a requirement for making presentations before legislative bodies and citizen groups.
- The ability to explain complex issues to citizens and lay personnel must be evident in the background.
- Superior written and verbal communication skills will be required.
- Experience working in appraisal districts, municipalities, school districts, or private industry, as well as taxation, finance, accounting, or management information functions, will also qualify individuals for consideration.
- Certification as a Registered Professional Appraiser, Appraisal Executive, Member of Appraisal Institute, or Certified Texas Appraiser is desired but not mandatory. The Chief Appraiser/Executive Director will be required by statute to obtain the RPA designation in the near term.
- Knowledge of ad valorem taxation law and mass appraisal techniques is also highly desirable.
- Comprehensive understanding of Texas property tax laws and regulations.
Skills:
- Strong leadership and organizational skills.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Proficient in appraisal software, tools, and standard office software such as MS Office.
- Ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including elected officials, community leaders, and taxpayers.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ethical judgment and integrity.
Required Licenses/Certifications:
- Must possess or have the ability to obtain a Registered Professional Appraiser (RPA) certification from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or a similar accreditation recognized by the Texas Property Tax Code.
Midland Appraisal District Mission Statement
Our mission is to courteously and efficiently serve the property owners and taxing units of Midland County by timely producing an accurate, complete, and equitable appraisal roll, and by conducting assessment and collection services in a competent and professional manner.
Submit resumes to:
Guardian Advisory Partners, LLC.
gearnest@guardianadvisorypartners.com
500 Chestnut Street, Suite 1601
Abilene, TX 79602