] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

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

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Specialist Insurance & Retirement, Retirement and Pension Plans

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Spec Insurance & Retirem CODE: 5640 SQ/OQ: Optimal Qualified
WORKING TITLE: Specialist Insurance & Retirement, Retirement and Pension Plans GRADE: 19 MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under direction, provides assistance to current employees, retirees and their families interpreting provisions of defined benefit plans (MCPS Employees Retirement/ Pension System, Maryland State Retirement/Pension System). Specialists also focus on providing assistance with procedural matters such as enrollment, Eligible Domestic Relationship Orders(EDRO) to ensure compliance with the MCPS Employees Retirement/Pension System, Maryland State Retirement/Pension in addition to Federal and state laws and regulations. Conducts retirement informational sessions or forms workshops to educate employees. Counsels employees on retirement and health benefit plans. Performs administrative processes for retirement plans, resolves enrollment discrepancies and related activities. Makes recommendations regarding policy implementation. Explains retirement and provides guidance to Call Center and Transactions Unit staff on correct procedures to process routine retirement transactions. Researches, provides guidance for, and processes complex retirement benefit questions and transactions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of MCPS defined pension plans, MCPS policies, negotiated agreements and other relevant policies. Working knowledge of MCPS Employees Pension System and Maryland State Retirement/Pension System defined pension plans, retirement rules, procedures, and practices. Skilled in counseling adults. Commitment to confidentiality of private information. Ability to efficiently and accurately calculate retirement benefits using detailed procedural rules. Knowledge of Federal, State and local laws affecting employee health benefit or retirement programs. Ability to analyze complex retirement management systems. Ability to use current computer hardware and software including MS Office products, Outlook, Ariel benefits systems or similar defined benefit systems, and business intelligence reporting tools. Strong public speaking, communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to participate in retirement seminars and workshops. Ability to multi-task, prioritize and/or re-evaluate priorities to meet deadlines. Self-motivated. Knowledge of and the ability to meet the seven core competencies of the Supporting Services Professional Growth System (SSPGS).
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Associates degree required. Other combination of education, skills, training and three or more years of experience which demonstrate progressively more responsible human resources or related experience in administering defined benefit plans 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 for specialists in retirement.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) None.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Ability to work nights and weekends as required.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: Yes

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. 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.
2. Administers, interprets and applies complex retirement plan provisions equitably.
3. Review forms for completeness and accuracy, gathers relevant paperwork for employees and retirees to ensure timely processing of retirement benefits and enrollments. Computes retirement benefit, audits and process retirement benefits.
4. Liaison with Aetna, MSRA, attorneys representing employees or retirees in providing customer service to MCPS employees retirees, and their families, former employees and beneficiaries.
5.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.
6.Explains retirement provisions, payment options, applying for additional service credit such as purchasing service, claiming military service credit or transfering service.
7. Assists plan participants, responds to queries, researches discrepancies and provides and explains resolution to employees, retirees, and their families, former employees and beneficiaries.
8. Reviews and processes EDRO, Child Support Orders, Subpoenas, Garnishments, Retiree Income Verification and Life Insurance Confirmation.
9. Serves as mentor to staff and keeps staff abreast of changes in retirement provisions and processes.
10. Participates in implementation of systems and user acceptance testing, fiscal year end process of the retirement system. Reviews system data for integrity and recommends changes to policy or processes.
11. Presents retirement informational sessions, retirement forms workshops, employees orientations to new and current employees, prospective retirees, retirees and family members.
12. Promotes a "culture of self-sufficiency" and lead employees, retirees and their families through the available MCPS and MSRA resources and online tools.
13. Participates in development of communication materials and outreach programs for retirement.
14. Identifies and participates in process improvement and documentation of processes.
15 Serves as back up to Call Center staff.
16. Performs other related duties as required.
Class Established: 7/2003
Date(s) Revised: 4/07, 4/2012, 5/14, 9/14,5/2015, 3/2020
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.