Tax Clerk I

Job Responsibility: Open Date Jun 27 2024 - 03:17:00 PM Close Date Jul 09 2024 - 11:59:00 PM Position Title Tax Clerk I Posting Type Full-time Posting Status Active Position Length Permanent Department Group Revenue & taxation Hours per Week 35 Department Financial Services Openings 1 Education College Diploma Experience 2 years Salary Range $53,472 - $66,867 per annum (Band F)

Description

Our team is highly skilled, passionate about our community, and we care. Let's grow together.

Tax Clerk I

Who We Are

In Whitby, we are dedicated to our work, our community, and each other. We work hard, we have fun, and we celebrate our successes. The Town of Whitby is a community in transformation that is located in the heart of Durham Region in the eastern Greater Toronto Area. Whitby is the second-largest municipality in the region and one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada. Located on Lake Ontario and only an hour east of Toronto, the population of Whitby is expected to grow from 140,000 to almost 200,000 by 2031. Whitby's Official Plan has been updated to establish new directions for Whitby's planned growth and development; the protection of our natural and built environments; urban design intensification; sustainability; community improvement; and, new employment within this time frame. The Town of Whitby combines a small town atmosphere with the sophistication and amenities of a larger urban centre. Whitby boasts two beautiful heritage downtowns, one of the finest recreational harbours with an award-winning marina, year round sports and recreation activities, parks, trails, and a robust arts and culture scene, all of which are part of the extraordinary amenities that Whitby residents enjoy every day. Whitby has an exciting and aspiring future, with a community that is welcoming, growing and transforming. On our team, you can expect to make a difference through your work and have a direct impact on shaping our growing community. Creating an inclusive environment where employees experience job satisfaction and have rewarding careers is important to us. We live our values and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, respect and engagement where people enjoy coming to work. We want to be the preferred employer for the most talented people who care about the Town of Whitby, and are excited and proud to serve our vibrant community. Let's grow together.

What You Will Get To Do

The successful candidate will have a positive impact on our corporate culture by demonstrating the Town's CARE core values (Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful, Engaged) through daily interactions with individuals at all levels of the organization, external contacts and elected officials.

By effectively building positive rapport and relationships both internally and externally, the successful candidate will help us achieve our mission that together we deliver services that make a difference in our community.

Reporting to and under the direction of the Sr. Manager of Revenue and Taxation the Tax Clerk I is responsible for:

• Providing Customer Service for residents and business owners of the Town of Whitby at the counter, by email and over the phone;

• Providing assistance and educational instruction to taxpayers about property taxes, how they are calculated using the current assessment, explain supplementary billings and write offs;

• Educating and providing taxpayers with rebate program information and collect necessary documentation;

• Processing payments at counter, maintaining a float and preparing bank deposits as required;

• Providing ratepayers with pre-authorized payment information and complete calculation of monthly amounts for various plans and account types;

• Entering all pre-authorized payment enrollments into tax software system and providing corresponding letters to confirm plans;

• Updating all banking change requests and pre-authorized plan cancellations received;

• Processing dishonored pre-authorized payments in the tax software system and prepare corresponding letters to ratepayers;

• Reconciling plan totals monthly and prepare bank file for pre-authorized payment plans;

• Maintaining property tax database for accuracy with ownership changes and prepare new owner letters for distribution;

• Investigating property tax payments made to incorrect accounts and prepare refunds or account transfer requests and adjustments;

• Completing balance adjustments to the tax roll for various corrections as needed;

• Providing various lawyers with Tax Certificate information;

• Providing mortgage companies with property tax information;

• Preparing statements of account for taxpayers as required;

• Assisting with Property Tax receivables and their collection;

• Back up to the Tax Clerk II for month end, penalty application and year end close; and,

• Providing general administrative support and other related duties assigned.

Who You Are

Our team is looking for an enthusiastic, solutions-oriented team player that takes initiative and thrives on a high performing team. You are self-motivated, self-starting and utilize a proactive approach to work. You have exceptional interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to improve customer service. You have the ability to deal courteously with co-workers, council and senior staff as you value partnerships. You have an act for speaking in a positive manner when dealing with the public on complaints and serious confidential matters. You have an excellent understanding of municipal taxes, property assessment value and common municipal policies and procedures. You have strong reasoning, mathematical and analytical skills, and using your extensive knowledge and experience in the field allows you to navigate through complex problems and recommend innovative solutions. Your well-developed communications skills allow you to convey information in a clear and concise manner. You have the ability to demonstrate tact, diplomacy and sound discretion when working with the ratepayer.

What You Bring To Our Team

As the successful applicant, you must possess:

• a post-secondary diploma in Accounting, Finance or other equivalent;

• a minimum of two (2) years of directly related work experience;

• completion of the Municipal Tax Administration (MTAP) through OMTRA;

• completion or enrolment in the Municipal Accounting and Finance Program (MAFP) and/or the Municipal Administration Program, AMCTO Certification;

• a demonstrated knowledge of computer programs, including an intermediate level working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.);

• Experience using the Vailtech (VTAX) software would be an asset.

What We Offer You

• Salary: $53,472 - $66,867 per annum (Band F)

• A comprehensive benefits and pension program to ensure that your total compensation package addresses both your work and life needs.

• A hybrid work environment and flexible work arrangements where employees are empowered to do their best work in the way that works for them. This is designated as a designated as a Frontline Hybrid role. Frontline Hybrid recognizes that up to 40% of job functions associated with the role can be done virtually, from a remote office, when the department can accommodate. Further details on these programs will be discussed through the selection process.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

At the Town of Whitby, our values guide everything that we do. We celebrate our differences, which is why we are committed to building an inclusive and barrier-free environment for our team. If you need a specific accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know, and we will be happy to provide. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

Acknowledgement will only be forwarded to those applicants who are invited for an interview.

Personal information provided is collected under the authority of The Municipal Act, 2001 and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Union Affiliation: CUPE FT

Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. (35 hours per week).

Hybrid Work Model: Frontline Hybrid

Intended Work Location: Town Hall