Taxpayer Service Representative

Job Title: Taxpayer Service Specialist Entry Level

Summary:

Plainfield Township seeks a dedicated Taxpayer Service Specialist to serve our community with empathy and professionalism. This entry level role focuses on providing essential services to residents, including education on assessment and tax statutes, assistance with real estate tax exemptions, and resolving taxpayer concerns in a sensitive manner.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a primary point of contact for residents of Plainfield Township, demonstrating empathy and understanding in all interactions.
• Educate residents on the assessment and tax cycle, as well as relevant statutes.
• Address and resolve concerns from taxpayers with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Assist senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and veterans with disabilities in completing necessary forms for real estate tax exemptions.
• Perform data entry tasks accurately and efficiently to maintain records and support office operations.
• Handle general office duties, including answering phones, processing correspondence, and assisting with office organization.

Qualifications:

• Willingness to learn about the tax cycle and the appropriate terminology.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to explain complex information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse range of individuals, including senior citizens, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
• Empathetic approach to problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Proficiency in O365, Teams, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, & SharePoint.
• Basic math skills are essential for calculating tax estimates and analyzing assessment data.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

Culture:

The office culture at Plainfield Township's Assessor’s Office is focused on detailed property valuation for tax purposes, with a small team of 4-6 employees fostering a calm and independent work environment.

Throughout most of the year, the office primarily handles data entry, computerization, and administrative tasks related to property assessments. This quiet period allows employees to work independently with minimal interruptions from phone calls or walk-in inquiries.

The atmosphere changes notably in May and August, the busiest months for taxpayer interactions. In May, employees assist taxpayers with exemption forms, requiring more direct engagement to ensure accurate submissions.

August marks the appeal season, when taxpayers request assessment reviews. During this time, the office becomes more active, providing thorough explanations and addressing taxpayer concerns promptly and professionally.

Overall, the office culture balances focused, independent work with heightened responsiveness during peak taxpayer engagement periods. The team’s commitment to accuracy and customer service is evident throughout the tax cycle's various phases.