MANAGER OF ERRONEOUS EXEMPTION INVESTIGATIONS - Assessor's Office

1 Position Vacancy

Work Schedule: 8:30am - 4:30pm

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Director of Exemption Investigations (Director), the Manager of Erroneous Exemption Investigations (Manager) will assist in overseeing daily operations of the department. The Manager is responsible for supervising the Investigators in the Exemptions Investigation Division and the Erroneous Exemption Specialists - Finance (Specialists). The Manager’s duties include direct oversight of the Investigators’ work performance, assignment of work, ensuring proper workflow, addressing and resolving Investigators’ questions, tracking the progress of Investigators assigned duties, initiating disciplinary action, and ensuring the Investigators and Specialists provide good customer service. The Manager’s duties also include direct oversight of the Erroneous Exemption Specialist- Finance work performance, assignment of work, addressing and resolving questions and initiating disciplinary action. Additional duties include performing investigations regarding fraudulently claimed exemptions, as set forth in the Erroneous Homestead Exemption Act, 35 ILCS 200/9-275. The Manager will be responsible for accomplishing departmental objectives by managing, training and evaluating staff with input from the Director. The Manager may perform field investigations and testify at administrative hearings as required. The Manager serves as a resource to other Investigators and Specialists regarding workflow, complex issues that may arise in an investigation, and as a mentor to less experienced Investigators.

Essential Job Duties

• Serves as a resource for Investigators charged with determining the validity of various exemptions claimed by property owners, and documenting improperly claimed exemptions by creating investigation reports.
• Identifies the type of exemptions claimed by property owners and how long the exemptions have been claimed.
• Supervises Investigators’ use of data supplied by vendors and available from other databases to determine and verify if a property owner has improperly claimed exemptions.
• Assist Specialists in reviewing dockets, billing for erroneous exemptions, liens and taxpayer inquiries.
• Supervise monthly and annual reporting and reconciliation process with the Cook County Treasurer’s Office.
• Compiles, maintains and tracks statistics regarding the division’s docket, including ongoing and completed investigations, investigations resulting in PIN numbers that are billed, investigations resulting in hearings, and monthly collections.
• May visit subject properties to determine the identities of the current occupants, if any, establish how long the current residents have occupied the property, and determine if the property is rented or owner-occupied.
• Supervises and serves as a resource to Investigators and Specialists regarding strategies for conducting investigations for complex properties. Assigns and manages complex investigations and reviews investigations completed by the Investigators.
• May interview witnesses who may have knowledge of a property’s occupants (including neighbors, doormen or association manager) to determine if a property is a rental unit or owner occupied.
• Compiles findings and evidence into reports for subject properties, reviews evidence to ensure there is support for conclusions regarding dates and factors used to determine the residency of taxpayers.
• Testifies at hearings regarding the results of investigations, if necessary.
• Supervises and directs the employees within the Exemption Investigations and Erroneous Exemptions divisions.
• Conducts performance evaluations of Exemptions Investigations and Erroneous Exemptions employees.
• Ensures Investigators’ productivity and professional development, promotes good morale, and establishes performance measures of reporting staff.
• Assists in effectively communicating job responsibilities to staff and provides instruction and training relative to staff job duties and assignments.
• Helps to administer office policies and procedures and provides instruction to staff regarding office policies and procedures and maintains confidentiality where appropriate.
• Works closely with the Director to ensure work is accomplished and research data is available.

The duties described above are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete description of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.
 

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED Certificate.
• Five (5) years of full-time work experience conducting and documenting investigations in a county, local, state or federal governmental setting, or working with property tax exemptions.
• One (1) year of full-time work experience managing or supervising employees.
• One (1) year of full-time customer service experience. 

OR

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Three (3) years of full-time work experience conducting and documenting investigations in a county, local, state or federal governmental setting, or working with property tax exemptions.
• One (1) year of full-time work experience managing or supervising employees.
• One (1) year of full-time work experience in customer service experience.

OR

• A high school diploma or GED certificate.
• Current CCAO employee.
• Three (3) years of full-time work experience conducting and documenting investigations in a county, local, state or federal governmental setting, or working with property tax exemptions.
• One (1) year of full-time work experience managing or supervising employees.
• One (1) year of full-time work experience in customer service experience.

Preferred Qualification

• Two (2) years of full-time work experience managing or supervising employees.
• One (1) year of full-time work experience with property records or property tax exemption records.

Post-Offer Minimum Qualification

Any offer of employment is contingent on proof of a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and minimum liability coverage.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of field investigation techniques, policies and procedures, including but not limited to techniques for determining residency, or the ability to quickly attain this knowledge.
• Knowledge of the Assessor’s Office procedures, policies, practices and guidelines or the ability to gain such knowledge.
• Knowledge of and ability to consistently interpret and apply CCAO policies.
• Knowledge of CCAO procedures related to CCAO operations, functions, activities and the property tax system or the ability to gain such knowledge.
• Working knowledge of CCAO Employment Plan, Employee Handbook, and any applicable collective bargaining agreement(s).
• Skilled in interacting with others to investigate, gather and review sensitive or confidential materials and information.
• Ability to effectively interview and obtain information during field investigations and inspections utilizing verbal and written skills.
• Ability to analyze, prepare and present investigation findings or conclusions in a concise, logical manner.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to meet Office and departmental deadlines, production goals and effectively utilize time with limited oversight.
• Ability to converse knowledgeably and communicate effectively orally and in writing and address complex issues.
• Ability to work with others; excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with the public, coworkers and staff.
• Ability to interact with the general public and taxpayers, providing guidance and information regarding the Erroneous Homestead Exemptions Act and investigations relating to erroneously claimed exemptions.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to perform complex analysis.
• Must be computer literate, with skill and efficiency in entering and retrieving data and in generating and modifying accurate investigation reports and explaining results of investigations to others.
• Ability to lead and cooperate on specific projects related to the functions of the department.

Physical Requirements

• This position requires travel to work assignments and employees must provide their own adequate means of transportation.
• Visual acuity to review and edit written communications for long periods of time.
• Walking between to conduct investigations and surveillance of properties.
• Repetitive use of hands to handle and/or operate standard office equipment.
• Regular use of a telephone to communicate.
• Lift and carry up to thirty (30) pounds.

ANNUAL SALARY: $99,058 - $114,881   -   Grade: 22

(Salary is Commensurate with Education and Experience)

Benefits Package Includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time 
• You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Hybrid Work Schedule (granted at the discretion of the Department Head -- all employees are expected to live within a distance of Cook County that will allow them to work in the office as demanded by operational needs)

For further information on our top-tier benefits package, please click on the following link: 2026 Cook County Benefits.

METHOD OF APPLICATION:

Internal Applicants Apply online at:    https://cookcountyil.taleo.net/careersection/170/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

External Applicants Apply online at :  https://cookcountyil.taleo.net/careersection/120/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Online submissions will close at 11:59pm on 09/03/2026

Applications of eligible applicants will be retained for consideration for 12 months following receipt of application, or until this Notice of Job Opportunity is withdrawn, whichever occurs first.

On or before the final date for interviews, applicants must furnish Human Resources with sufficient proof of education (if applicable), designations/certifications, professional references, and photo identification.

ANY APPLICANT THAT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS NOTICE OF JOB OPPORTUNITY WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR THE POSITION.

The Office of the Cook County Assessor hires and promotes based on applicant qualifications and merit. The use of political factors as a condition of employment for the above job opportunity is prohibited. Any questions should be sent to Human Resources at 312-603-5115 or [email protected].

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of a criminal background check.

(Current Cook County Assessor’s Office employees will not be subject to a criminal background check)

You must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Last modified: April 20, 2026