Real Estate Research Specialist

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Real Estate Research Specialist

Register of Deeds

Hourly Pay Range: $21.30 - $31.92

Closing Date: September 20, 2026, or sooner upon receipt of the first 50 application submissions received.

Job Summary: The Real Estate Research Specialist serves as a lead position in records research. Complex research, statistical calculations and reports. Directing and assisting real estate clerks are regular functions of this position. This position is essential in order to provide assistance and coverage to the Real Estate Supervisor and to complete complex departmental functions above the abilities of the general research staff.

Job Responsibilities:

• Compile, maintain and distribute daily departmental statistics by interpreting reporting data. Collect statistics for annual budget narrative. Compile reports to verify employee production and accuracy. Disseminate performance data for employees and identify errors to be corrected.
• Serve as the backup for the Real Estate Supervisor, requiring supervision of staff, approval of time worked/time-off, project management, and ability to resolve complex situations. Must act as a lead worker when not providing coverage for supervisor.
• Conduct complex research using an archive dating back to 1835. Use and locate various formats of records and interpret data to form accurate conclusions. Assist elected officials, real estate developers and professionals in researching high value and controversial real estate parcels. Schedule appointments for in-depth historical research and create search guide.
• Provide service in person, in writing or by phone regarding real estate inquiries, documents, recording standards or office policies. Conduct cashiering transactions on a back-up basis, including credit card, cash and checks. Must balance a cash drawer and reconcile credit card transactions daily. In the absence of the Real Estate Supervisor, secure the daily departmental deposit upon close of business.
• Using advanced preservation and stabilization methods, repair and stabilize fragile, distressed and degraded historical documents and ledgers. Assist supervision with assessing condition of deteriorated records and arrange annual professional rebinding of the most at-risk documents.
• Maintain specialized equipment to ensure peak performance. Arrange technical service and preventive maintenance as needed. Fix, clean and reassemble microfilm viewers. Repair and conserve microfilm jackets, aperture cards, microfiche and microfilm.
• Review data entry to ensure accurate archival of recorded instruments. Make appropriate corrections based on standard policy and procedure. Make new policy and procedure concerning data entry standards to be followed by all staff in department.
• Provide training and development to direct reports. Maintain a record of completed training. Arrange training with external customers to demonstrate software capabilities.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Current resident of Wisconsin
• High School Diploma or GED/equivalent
• At least one year of experience with problem solving, customer service and/or research in an archival setting.
• Intermediate knowledge of all related computer and software applications, such as word processing and spreadsheets.
• Experience working with personal computers, phones, scanners, Micro film reader and copy machine.
• Ability to lift/carry up to 40lbs and push/pull up to 25lbs on a frequent basis

Preferred:

• Experience working with Microfilm printer is highly preferred
• Experience with supervising staff is desired
• Experience maintaining a database, archive or other record-retention experience

Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Incumbent must have the aptitude to learn basic real estate law and real estate theory on the job and learn best practices concerning the administration and maintenance of a multi-format, multi-media historical archive. Considerable real estate knowledge with a focus on real estate law and real estate theory is preferred. Must have or be able to obtain comprehensive knowledge of the real estate archive and local history. This position is a lead position and requires the ability to complete supervisory functions on a back-up basis. Incumbent must have the aptitude to learn how to use, maintain and administer a multi-format, multi-media historical archive.

NOTE: This ORIGINAL APPLICATION is open to qualified residents of the State of Wisconsin at the time of application. Candidates need to submit a full account of their training and experience (i.e., by submitting an up-to-date resume or by fully completing the application) during the application process and may also be asked to take additional written or performance tests as part of the selection process.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION

Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements. If special accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.