Tax Collector - Plainfield

The Queen City is a special charter form of government comprised of 6.034 square miles and a population of 57,141 (2025 U.S. Census Bureau estimate), with a 2026 municipal budget of $119 million. The position of Tax Collector is available immediately. The City is seeking a qualified, experienced professional with strong organizational, financial, and communication skills. The ideal applicant will be a detail-oriented team member who can supervise the bookkeeping, calculation, and accounting functions of the tax office while ensuring compliance with all state law and municipal directives.

• Supervise the bookkeeping, calculation, and accounting functions of the tax office.
• Collect personal and property taxes, including proper calculation, preparation, and mailing of tax bills.
• Receive and detail account for all monies received.
• Timely and accurate reporting of office activities.
• Enforce timely tax payment.
• Develop administrative procedures for delinquent accounts.
• Conduct annual tax sales.
• Prepare clear, accurate reports for the governing body.
• Demonstrate knowledge of municipal tax collection laws, accounting principles, and recordkeeping practices.

• Possession of a current, valid Certified Municipal Tax Collector's Certificate issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
• Thorough knowledge of municipal tax collection laws, principles, practices, and procedures, and the administrative aspects of municipal property taxation and collection.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and the methods used to maintain accounting records.
• Demonstrated ability to work with professional auditors and/or accountants to maintain an accounting system suitable for municipal accounting.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain accurate listings of unpaid tax items, prepare properties for tax sale, and conduct tax sales on delinquent property at least once each year.
• Ability to develop administrative procedures for delinquent accounts to increase the rate of collection and reduce uncollected balances.
• Ability to interpret laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to municipal tax collection, and to prepare accurate and complete reports on the status of tax collections.
• Ability to provide assignments and instructions to staff, evaluate performance, and organize assigned work to develop effective office procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
• Possession of a valid New Jersey driver's license, if operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
• Residence within a reasonable commuting distance of Plainfield is preferred.
• References outlining and describing a candidate's experience and successes in municipal tax collection in a comparable municipality will be required.

• Full-time Salary range: $115,699- $168,883