Land Description Technician II/III

Reproduces and reviews Register of Deeds recorded documents and retrieves those needed for the office. Verifies legal descriptions and ownership on all conveyance deeds recorded in the Register of Deeds office, and lists correct ownership and document information in the land records enterprise system. Files and catalogues land surveys, section corner tie sheets, right-of-way plats, and property transfers.  Assists surveyor with indexing of survey and section corners as assigned. Assists the public with verbal or written requests and public access needs, regarding real and personal property. Participates in the production, reproduction, and indexing of parcel maps that correlate with the legal descriptions, maps and ownership records and assessment records of the County’s taxable and tax-exempt parcels. Keeps an organized database of all error documents and follows up on their correction. In the absence of the Land Description Technician lll, assists with the duty of preparing new legal descriptions, assigning new parcel numbers, assigning new geocodes, and updating taxation district information for the assessment roll for parcels that have boundary changes created by newly recorded deeds in the Register of Deeds office. Operates personal computer, calculator, and other office machines or equipment. Performs duties listed in the job description in a professional, efficient, and productive manner. Abides by office procedure and keeps all information confidential. Uses supplies and equipment in a safe and effective manner. Performs repetitive tasks in a courteous and cheerful manner. Records factual data accurately. Performs other duties as assigned.

Participate in the maintenance and development of digital maps; representing all land divisions, certified surveys, plats, vacations of land, annexations and road changes.   Calculate acreage for tax parcels when appropriate. Keep current and assure compliance with legislative changes pertinent to property tax listing. Prepare new legal descriptions, assign new parcel numbers, assign new geocodes, and update taxation district information for the assessment roll for parcels that have boundary changes created by newly recorded deeds in the Register of Deeds office. Participate in the update and maintenance of countywide digital database of all property information including new owner name, addresses, parcel numbers, legal descriptions, assessment information, acreage, and survey information. Draw tax parcel maps digitally and by hand from deeds and surveys, accurately and to scale. Notify the general public, attorneys, abstractors, and other land record professionals of the discovery of issues in the chain of title or the legal descriptions.  Assist in the research and resolution of these issues.   Review, research, and provide input on descriptions for tax foreclosures and In Rem parcels. Keep an organized database of all real property listing related issues and follow up on their corrections. Perform all Land Description Technician l and ll duties as needed. Operate personal computer, calculator, and other office machines or equipment. Perform duties listed in the job description in a professional, efficient, and productive manner. Abide by office procedure and keep all information confidential. Use supplies and equipment in a safe and effective manner. Perform repetitive tasks in a courteous and cheerful manner. Record factual data accurately. Perform other duties as assigned.

High school diploma or equivalent and some college or technical training in real estate, abstracting, or geography or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Ability to understand the various types of legal documents (e.g. warranty deed, quit claim deed, certified survey map) and how they relate to land ownership. Basic understanding of land record research, surveys, plats, and road right-of-ways. Understanding of the Public Land Survey System and ability to read legal descriptions. Ability to write land descriptions, draw to scale land parcels on maps, and calculate acreage. Ability to understand Wisconsin State Statutes and Administrative Code, as related to the duties of the County Treasurer and Real Property Listing office. Experience or training in software applications.  Proficient skill in using Microsoft Office, Google, and document imaging software and hardware.  Knowledge of ArcGIS Pro preferred. Knowledge of business terminology, procedures, and equipment. Knowledge of business math, accounting procedures, and English. Ability to carry out complex oral and written instructions. Ability to work professionally and effectively with public and private sector individuals, groups and agencies.

Bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geography, History, Cartography, Surveying, Real Estate Law, or a closely related field, or an Associate degree in a related field with at least two years’ experience working with land records, or any combination of education, certification, and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities suited for the job. Knowledge of surveying principles and practices as it relates to tax parcel maintenance and legal descriptions. General knowledge of mapping and GIS system principles, practices, techniques and equipment. Knowledge of computer operations, including Microsoft Office, ArcGIS Pro software, Google, and document imaging software and hardware. Ability to read, understand, and map out digitally and by hand an accurate depiction of legal descriptions.  Ability to accurately interpret maps and plats. Knowledge of methodologies and procedures for input and adjustment of complex legal descriptions into an existing tax parcel database. Knowledge of real estate laws as it pertains to property conveyances, descriptions, and other related documents, knowledge of statutory requirements and time lines. General knowledge of mathematics, geometry, map projections and coordinate systems. Demonstrate ability to establish and maintain a highly effective working relationship with employees, other governmental groups and the public. Ability to coordinate tasks to be accomplished in the most effective and efficient manner. Ability to work professionally and effectively with public and private sector individuals, groups, and agencies.

Please reference the above job posting number and position when submitting your internal application for employment which is located on the Sheboygan County shared drive/Sheboygan County/Human Resources/Forms/Internal Application for Employment.