] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → SENIOR SPECIALIST, INSURANCE & RETIREMENT, RETIREMENT AND PENSION PLANS

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Senior Specialist, Insurance & Retirement, Retirement and Pension Plans

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Sr Spec Insrnce/Retirement CODE: 0718 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Senior Specialist, Insurance & Retirement, Retirement and Pension Plans GRADE: J MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under direction, provides leadership and oversight of the day to day operation of the retirement team. The retirement team administers Montgomery County Public Schools Employees Retirement/Pension plans, disability benefits and local administration of the Maryland State Retirement/Pension Plans, Eligible Domestic Relationship Order(EDRO) and provides customer service support. Provides project support and leadership as a functional expert for ongoing retirement programs and to integrate technology to automate business process; maintains the functional knowledge of the plans and the implementation strategy in the system; uses technology as it relates to retirement and the business process required. Assists health benefits and investment teams in supporting retirees and active employees with retirement/health plans, Medicare Part D, and retirement accounts. Supervises staff and their work activities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Extensive knowledge of defined benefit plans such as the Montgomery County Public Schools Employees Retirement/Pension plans and the Maryland State Retirement/Pension Plans and related policies and procedures. Extensive knowledge of Federal, State and local laws affecting employee retirement programs, operational knowledge of the Maryland State Teacher Retirement/Pension Plans. Knowledge of Eligible/Qualified Domestic Relationship Order (EDRO/QDRO). Demonstrated ability to analyze complex retirement management systems. Demonstrated oral and written communications ability, including the ability to effectively design, lead and conduct seminars, retirement workshops. Knowledge of MCPS employee benefit programs, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and IRS guidelines to prepare comprehensive employee communication materials and summary descriptions preferred. Demonstrated supervisory and organizational skills. Experience in improving and documenting processes. Knowledge and application of the six leadership standards that have been established for the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP/MCBOA) Professional Growth System
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor¿s degree required from an accredited college or university with a preferred major in business or public administration or related field. Master¿s degree preferred. Extensive experience in administering and implementing employee retirement programs for a large public institution. Experience supervising and training staff in plan administration, developing comprehensive employee communication materials, designing automated recordkeeping systems, planning work priorities and executing work plans for a multi-faceted program. Other combination of education, skills, training and five or more years of experience which demonstrate progressively more responsible human resources or related experience in administering defined benefit plans and supervision may be considered. Experience working in Montgomery County Public Schools or other public human resources administration or educational institution is desirable.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) coordinator certification and Notary Public of the State of Maryland required within 6 months to 1 year of hire date. Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation desirable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) None
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Position may require weekend and evening work as necessary to perform duties and meet deadlines.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (The job duties listed are typical examples of the work performed by this job classification. Not all duties assigned are included, nor are all duties listed performed in every office or every day.)
1. Subject matter expert in the MCPS Employees Pension System, Maryland State Retirement/Pension System; administers, interprets and applies complex retirement plan provisions equitably to employees and retirees. 2.Reviews retirement plans for compliance with program rules and regulations ensuring compliance with MCPS Employees Pension System, Maryland State Retirement/Pension System, federal and state laws and regulations. 3.Liaison with Aetna, MSRA, employee bargaining units, legal counsel, plan actuaries, auditors, attorneys representing employees or retirees in providing customer service to MCPS employees retirees, and their families, former employees and beneficiaries.
4.Audits, authorizes and approves retirement benefit payments and any revisions to employee retirement records or payments.
5. Leads, plans, organizes and executes team activities and work plans; evaluates effectiveness of work plans.
6. Lead process improvements, identifies system and procedural inconsistencies and develops processes to ensure accuracy, consistency and documentation of the functional processes.
7. In coordination with the Director of ERSC, determines operational metrics, service level agreements, and a performance monitoring plan.
8. Prepares responses regarding retirement queries or issues on behalf of Board President, Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Chief Financial Officer and the Director of ERSC.
9. Prepares materials for various audits and responses to auditor questions and findings
10. In coordination with Senior Specialist, Technology and Reporting, prepares materials, files, reports for actuarial valuations and/or other data requests, such as auditor test data as required for the retirement team.
11. Maintains function knowledge of Eligible/Qualified Domestic Relation Order (EDRO/QDRO), audits and approves EDRO, Child Support Orders, Subpoenas, Garnishments and resolves any compliance issues;
12. Performs trend analysis for employee retirement program and maintains current knowledge on legislation related to employee retirement issues.
13. In coordination with Senior Specialist, Technology and Reporting leads, verifies and runs the test scripts when patches are applied, participates in implementation of systems and user acceptance testing, fiscal year end process of the retirement system.
14. Reviews system data for integrity and recommends changes to policy or processes and signs off any new changes.
15. Drafts, edits, and reviews materials for new and current employees, current and future retirees. Works with staff to develop notifications and communications using a wide variety of media (letters, publications, emails, and Websites.)
16. Represents operational needs on system projects, upgrades and process improvements.
17. Coordinates enhancements or updates of retirement systems.
18. Mentors staff and keeps staff abreast of changes in retirement provisions and processes.
19. Oversees customer service and educational outreach programs such as orientations, retirement seminars and workshops, for retirement.
20. Identifies and resolves compliance issues regarding enrollment or retirements with the Maryland State Retirement plan.
21. Counsels plan participants and assist them in understanding their MCPS Employees Pension System, Maryland State Retirement/Pension System including pension death and disability retirement provisions.
22. Oversees refunds of pension contributions to eligible terminated employees.
23. Serves as member in the Disability Retirement Review Board.
24. Promotes a "culture of self-sufficiency" and lead employees, retirees and their families through the available MCPS and MSRA resources and online tools.
25. Performs other related duties as required.
Class Established: 2001
Date(s) Revised: 8/09, 5/14, 3/2020
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.