TAX RESEARCH EXAMINER AND INVESTIGATOR
New Jersey treats Tax Research Examiner and Investigator as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
Eligibility comes down to 4 years of relevant experience.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under direction, examines and makes investigations relative to various phases of County tax activities; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Makes recommendations to Member of the Board on various phases of the tax work.
- Testifies at equalization and tax appeal hearings.
- Compiles and justifies data for sales ratios, tax rates, abstracts of ratables, added assessments, equalization tables, etc.
- Receives or meets individuals and gives detailed information relating to the various tax activities.
- Prepares suitable reports.
- Handles correspondence.
- Maintains essential records and files.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related unit.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in the assessment and valuation of real and personal property.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the state and municipal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures applying to assessments for tax purposes.
- Knowledge of the accepted methods of appraising property.
- Knowledge of the form and content of building plans.
- Ability to analyze and interpret applicable laws and regulations and apply them to specific cases.
- Ability to give testimony before county and state tax boards.
- Ability to work harmoniously with citizens and others.
- Ability to take and maintain a firm and correct stand when controversies arise.
- Ability to give suitable assignments and instructions to subordinates, provide them with needed advice and assistance when difficult and unusual problems arise, and check their work to see that proper procedures are followed.
- Ability to ensure that reasonable standards of workmanship and output are maintained, and that desired objectives are achieved.
- Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports.
- Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.