Taxpayer Information Specialist - Skokie (00137842)

TAXPAYER INFORMATION SPECIALIST II - SKOKIE - Assessor's Office   

Requisition ID

:  00137842 

Job Posting

:  Sep 29, 2025, 12:00:00 AM   

Closing Date

:  Oct 12, 2025, 11:59:00 PM Full-time           

  AFSCME 3835 Posting Salary:  $50,275

Organization

:  Cook County Elected Officials 

2 Position Vacancies

Work Shift: 8:45am - 4:45pm

This an AFSCME 3835 Bargaining Unit Position

Job Summary

The Taxpayer Information Specialist II- Skokie (TPI Specialist) reports directly to the assigned Assistant Manager of Taxpayer Information and is permanently assigned to the satellite CCAO office at Skokie. The TPI Specialist II- Skokie serves as one of the public’s primary points of contact with the Taxpayer Services Division of the Cook County Assessor’s Office (CCAO), and has two operational focuses, customer service and data entry/data processing. The TPI Specialist II- Skokie explains to taxpayers in understandable terms exemptions and appeals processes, refers taxpayers to other appropriate CCAO departments or divisions, and maintains good customer service. The TPI Specialist II- Skokie also processes exemption applications, Certificates of Error and associated mailings in a timely manner.

Essential Duties

•    Provides property owners with easily accessible information, creates an efficient and professional user-friendly experience in person and on the telephone and responds to customer inquiries and complaints.
•    Resolves and deescalates property owner complaints and issues.
•    Consults with taxpayers and assists with the intake of residential and industrial/commercial appeals and applications for Certificates of Error, checking the submissions to verify accurate supporting documentation is provided.
•    Processes residential exemptions applications and resulting Certificates of Error.
•    Responds to taxpayer requests for information in an accurate and professional manner.
•    Communicates and corresponds with taxpayers to resolve exemption related problems, including answering in-person, telephone and email inquiries about exemptions and appeals, providing direction to the appropriate forms, information, and referring to other CCAO departments, when necessary.
•    Works under direct supervision to accomplish tasks and resolve most exemption-related questions and problems.
•    Refers complex exemptions-related requests or problems to Taxpayer Information Senior Specialists or higher levels of management within the department.
•    Interfaces between departments and divisions to provide taxpayer assistance as required.
•    Participates in community outreach programs, as requested.
•    Works at all CCAO locations including branch offices and may be assigned to any CCAO location within Cook County.
•    Provides excellent customer service to all CCAO customers.
•    Works extended hours and weekends, as required.

Works extended hours and weekends, as required. The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list 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;
• Two (2) years of full-time work experience in customer service assisting customers by answering questions either in person, by email or phone.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Two (2) years of full-time work experience with assessments and real estate tax exemptions. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of CCAO procedures, polices, practices and guidelines or the ability to gain such knowledge.
• Thorough knowledge of the assessment practices and exemption requirements, or the ability to quickly obtain such knowledge.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including public speaking skills.
• Ability to determine what information is appropriate to provide the public in situations where direct oversight or guidance from CCAO supervisory staff may not be available or provide appropriate referral to other CCAO departments.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Familiar with the use of customer support ticketing system.
• Knowledge of modern customer service techniques and Omni channel customer support strategies including phone and IVR support systems, online live chat, social media chat, SMS text messaging, customer emails, etc.
• Ability to work with others using excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with the public and co-workers.
• Ability to interact with the general public and taxpayers, providing guidance and information regarding CCAO exemption and appeals processes.
• Ability to meet CCAO and departmental deadlines, production goals and effectively utilize time with limited oversight.
• Ability to accurately enter, review, and retrieve data utilizing CCAO systems and databases.

Work Environment

The position is primarily performed in an office setting, with the majority of the work hours spent at the desk/counter. Some walking to meetings may be required from time to time, as well as standing during interactions with taxpayers.

Physical Requirements

• Extended periods of time standing or sitting to assist staff and taxpayers at the taxpayer services counter or on the phone.
• Visual acuity to review and edit written communications for long periods of time.
• Traveling between offices and meetings may be required. 
• Repetitive use of hands to handle and or operate standard office equipment.
• Regular use of a telephone to communicate.
• Occasional lifting of files or exemption applications.

Annual Salary: $50,275  -  Grade: 12

This an AFSCME 3835 Bargaining Unit Position

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 CCAO 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 excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:  2025 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 10/12/2025.

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 directed to Human Resources at 312-603-5115.

*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 permanently work in the United States and without sponsorship. *

COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR'S OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER