Job Description

Job Posting


Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent, full-time position of Tax Analyst in the Revenue division of Finance & Asset Management.



Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality's core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.



Under the direction of the Tax Supervisor and Manager of Revenue Operations, the Tax Analyst creates and administers billings of over 165,000 properties and accounts in HRM. This team receives over 15,000 service/email requests annually and thus requires superior customer service and the ability to manage stressful situations. This position is responsible for the billing, management, monitoring, analyzing, and reconciliation of all HRM Revenue streams, including Property Tax. This position demands high volume excellent customer service to taxpayers and residents and to external clients such as law firms and financial institutions. The Tax Analyst is expected to possess thorough knowledge of the Halifax Charter, Municipal Government Act (MGA), Municipal Grants Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, HRM By-Laws and Administrative Orders including but not limited to Administrative Order 18, The Revenue & Collections Policy.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Manage the timely and accurate billing of all revenue accounts, including revenues generated through the administration of several By-Laws, Administration Orders and numerous sections of the MGA. Charge types include but are not limited to Property Tax, Sewer and Water LIC L-100, Streets and Roads LIC S-400, Solid Waste S-600, Marketing Levy By-Law M-400, Sewer Redevelopment S-100, Encroachments E-200, Signs Ordinances.
• Responsible for the administration of approximately 10,000 assessment related appeals received from PVSC, NSAAT and NSURB.
• Research/validate all appeals for accuracy. Provide monthly reporting to Director of Revenue and assist with the budget for appeals allowance.
• Analyze deed transfer tax affidavits as per Part V of the MGA. Calculate and provide interest and penalty to Law firms on late registrations. Research and provide data on commercial and apartment sales to the Director of Revenue for deed transfer tax revenue projections.
• Maintain over 3,000 HRM owned/leased properties for accuracy and collection. Provide information to Real Estate regarding property sales and parcel acceptance. Proactively analyze and accounts and provide recommendations to Supervisor.
• Administer and monitor the Low-Income Exemption/Deferral Program.
• Provide reporting on program uptake and proactively recommend strategies to improve the program and increase participation.
• Determine acceptance and process adjustments for property affected by fire damage and process adjustments to properties owned by non-profit organizations (approx. 3,200 annually).
• Responsible for maintaining and updating all mailing addresses to the HRM Corporate Database and PVSC (approx. 4,400).
• Provide legally binding Tax Certificates (over 10,000 annually) and respond to requests by law firms requiring in depth knowledge of property tax related legal issues surrounding transfer of properties.
• Provide effective written and oral communication to answer inquiries from businesses, community organizations, taxpayers, lawyers, financial institutions regarding general revenue and tax account balances, tax rates, and assessed values and processing of payments.
• Analyses and interprets complex tax and revenue accounts for resolution.
• Prepares adjustments, journal entries and cheque requests as required. o Communicate procedural and operational changes to HRM Business Units, including, up to date information and training to the corporate Call Centre and Storefront staff.
• Responsible to maintain the taxation and revenue web pages.
• Provide a superior customer service and service delivery to HRM residents and businesses regarding questions and issues related to all revenue billings.
• Manage daily updates and balancing of all Revenue division manual invoices.
• Special projects as assigned by Tax Supervisor or Director of Revenue.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: • Degree or Diploma in a Business Administration program from a recognized education institution.
• Minimum three years of experience in billing/collection, customer service and accounting procedures.
• Experience in municipal taxation would be a definite asset.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities: • Strong customer service skills focused on internal and external clients.
• Thorough knowledge of billing, collection, and accounting procedures.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Thorough knowledge of the Knowledge of all HRM By-laws, Administrative Orders and Ordinances with Revenue Implications including, Halifax Charter and MGA, Federal Property Tax Policy and Procedures, Provincial Assessment Act, Payment in Lieu of Taxes Act.
• Proficient use of enterprise financial software (SAP).
• Ability to work in a windows-based environment (Outlook, Excel, Word)
• Thorough knowledge of FOIPOP
• Familiar with HRM By-laws, Administrative Orders including but not limited to Administrative Order 18, Administrative Order 10, Administrative Order 2014-001 ADM, By-law F-300, By-law T-700.
• Familiar with HRM/Provincial Data Sharing Agreement.
• Proficient in the use of Property On-Line and IASWorld (NS Property Databases).
• Knowledge of financial records and systems, with demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret complex tax accounts daily.
• Thorough knowledge of HRM's collection and billing policies and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge to conduct ownership research and mailing information research using POL, IASworld, Canada Post, MLS, GIS and Internet.
• Able to perform Internet Research - Canada 411, Property Online, Credit Checks, Registry of Joint Stocks, etc.

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.



Please note - Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer's discretion.



COMPETENCIES: Valuing Diversity, Customer Service, Communication, Teamwork & Cooperation, Analytical Thinking, Organization & Planning.



WORK STATUS: Permanent, full-time



HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm; 35 hours per week. Flex options to work outside of these hours and hybrid may be available.



SALARY: $37.22 per hour; level 7 as per the Collective Agreement between HRM and NSGEU Local 222.



WORK LOCATION: Alderney Gate, 40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, NS



CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 PM on Monday, February 24, 2025.



This is a bargaining unit position. External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unit candidates.



Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.



During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the recruiter when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link; Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax



(position # 72285922)