Job Description / Duties

The Senior Property Tax & Valuation Specialist is responsible for providing senior tax advisory services relating to port authority lands and coordinating real property valuation activities. Additionally, there will be some property management functions assigned as required.

Tax advisory services include:
• providing legislation guidance
• supporting policy development
• liaising in relation to port authority related property taxation in relations to the VFPA’s Payment-in-Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program and the provincial Ports Property Tax Act
• administering PILT including recommending payments
• supporting policy development and resolving payment on disputes associated with PILT together with similar activities for VFPA’s non PILT-eligible properties

Real property valuation activities include:
• market research
• supporting pricing policy
• guideline and process development
• assisting in valuation disputes in support of tenure agreements property transactions in collaboration with department staff

This role will:
Payment-in-Lieu of Taxes
• Prepares valuations and reconciliation of municipal PILT applications. Completes PILT application inventory for municipalities and valuation audit strategies. Coordinates and verifies VFPA’s PILT inventory in its property management system. Prepares and verifies changes in land use, occupancy boundaries, improvements and improvement exemptions, roads and services, tax rates and other criteria
• Liaises with representatives of surrounding municipalities and BC Assessment Offices. Rationalizes and negotiates VFPA property valuations with BC Assessment. Develops strategy and coordinates external PILT valuation appraisals for select properties. Prepares submissions and ensures PILT payments to all municipalities in a timely manner. Coordinates and represents VFPA in PILT dispute processes
• Ensures VFPA’s PILT practices meet legislative requirements. Seeks opportunities to minimize payments within such requirements
• Maintains and improves departmental processes and tools to ensure accurate and timely advice to BC Assessment on tenure agreements, boundary changes, property transactions and continued data integrity for its PILT eligible property inventory

Property Tax
• Verifies property tax payments for VFPA’s non PILT-eligible properties. Coordinates activities for property tax disputes, as required
• Advises appropriate collection levels for property tax from tenants of VFPA’s non PILT-eligible properties
• Liaises with VFPA tenants on assessment and property tax issues

PILT and Tax Policy
• Researches and advises on existing PILT and property tax legislation, policy and regulations, as well as, coordination of Studies such as the competiveness work
• Tracks and makes recommendations on policy and legislative changes related to taxation of port property including but not limited to PILT, Ports Property Tax Act, property tax and assessment. Conducts research including liaising with VFPA tenants, BC Assessment, municipalities, provincial ministry representatives, and other port authorities in North America, as appropriate, and prepares analysis and recommendations in collaboration with other VFPA staff as appropriate for presentation to senior management

Property Valuation
• Conducts market research in the region and in external indicative markets and prepares property and rental valuations. Commissions and reviews independent appraisal reports on behalf of the department and others. Responsibility for the process of commissioning appraisal reports and related process improvement
• Develops and recommends rental pricing policy and guidelines and provides valuation analysis and guidance to department for rental ranges generally and specifically for higher value lease and property transactions
• Maintains and improves departmental efficiency and competency in valuation including process improvements, compilation of data and analytical tools
• Assists with preparation of evidence for disputes and litigation proceedings and responds to Access to Information requests

Property Management
• As required, performs property management and negotiation functions including acquisitions, dispositions, exchanges, rental reviews, lease management, negotiation and inspections. Verifies input to property management systems. Reviews property agreements for completeness and accuracy. Prepares analysis and submissions in support of land transactions and rent review proposals

Budgets
• Prepares annual expense budget for PILT and property tax as part of corporate operating budget, together with expenses for external appraisal
• Contributes to capital plan preparation for acquisitions and other property transactions for the department and others
• Contributes, as required, in revenue budgeting
• Provides estimates of PILT and property tax obligations for acquisition and project budgets as required

Qualifications / Required Skills

The successful candidate have an appropriate university degree plus an AACI, MRICS (Registered Valuer) or equivalent specialized real estate valuation designation and a minimum of five (5) years related appraisal, negotiation and assessment experience. Practical understanding of the inter-relationships between the PILT Act, the Ports Property Tax Act, the B.C. Assessment Act, the Local Government Act and other relevant legislation would be an asset.

This position is ideal for an individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to liaise effectively and positively with both staff and senior representatives from industry and government. Demonstrated aptitude and ability for tactful and diplomatic negotiation, along with solid analytical abilities are also required. Must be a highly motivated and proactive individual with a strong orientation to customer service. Must be committed to a philosophy of continuous improvement in all work processes and able to work independently as well as in a team environment.

Additional Information

The health and safety of our employees is a priority and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is committed to ensuring a safe workplace. Vaccinations, in combination with other preventative health and safety measures, offer the best available protection against COVID-19 and that is why port authority employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Providing proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment.

Candidates may be accommodated for this requirement if they are approved for a legal exemption; accommodation may be requested only for religious and medical reasons, or other protected grounds under the Canadian Human Rights Act. If you’re seeking accommodation to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, please indicate your request during the recruitment process.

The Port Authority offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including an Earned Time Off program.

This work is Canadian based employment and expected to be performed from our Vancouver office location.

At the port authority, we are dedicated to employment equity and a workplace reflective of the diversity of our port community.

Contact Information

https://bit.ly/3jb2JWi

Employer Profile

Join an organization that plays a critical role in Canada’s economy. At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we focus on doing the incredible work it takes to become the world’s most sustainable port.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is responsible for the stewardship of the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest and most diversified port. Our mandate as a Canada Port Authority, as set out by the Canada Marine Act, is to enable Canada’s trade objectives, ensuring goods are moved safely and responsibly through the Port of Vancouver. That means providing infrastructure and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of marine traffic and cargo within the port. It also means we carry out reviews of proposed activities and developments on federal port lands and waters to determine whether a project can go ahead without impacts to the environment and community that cannot be mitigated.

We are passionate about the work we do and what it contributes to our local communities, the region and our country. This is reflected in our values of collaboration, continuous improvement, accountability and customer responsiveness.

Be a part of a team that advances initiatives to promote economic prosperity through trade, a healthy environment and thriving communities for the future generations of Canadians. It’s a workplace where the intrinsic value of your contribution to help foster the continued growth of the Canadian economy becomes a tangible reality. Bring your unique strengths, perspectives and experiences to the port authority and join us in charting a course toward a sustainable future.