01/27/2012 09530

SENIOR BENEFITS MANAGER, PSERS

DEFINITION: This is responsible administrative and managerial work in directing a retirement benefits determination program in the Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS).

An employee in this job is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing a variety of services to ensure the accurate and timely payment of retirement benefits. Work may involve responsibility for creating benefit policies and procedures for the agency and administering the appeal process, which involves resolving and responding to complex benefit issues and providing testimony as an expert witness on benefits determinations. Work may also include managing the determination and calculation of retirement benefits for non-routine benefit requests and developing and implementing policy changes in response to state and federal legislative actions as well as Board and Court decisions that affect the PSERS' membership and its employees. Supervision is exercised over Retirement Administrators and professional, administrative and technical staff performing work related to the administration of complex retirement benefits determination. Work is performed with independence under the general direction of the Bureau Director who reviews work through conferences and reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Manages a staff of Retirement Administrators and supervisory, professional and technical employees performing technical work related to the administration of a complex retirement benefits determination program.

Plans, monitors, and evaluates staffing requirements, program objectives, effectiveness measures, program changes, and new program requirements.

Implements program changes that result from legislative initiatives, Retirement Code changes, and Board policy actions.

Participates in the analysis and drafting of position papers on proposed legislative actions, changes to the Retirement Code, policy and regulatory changes, and other issues affecting benefits determination.

Represents the agency in administrative hearings, Commonwealth Court hearings, and other administrative or judicial processes as a witness on benefits determination for PSERS.

Consults with PSERS' legal staff in the interpretation and application of policy issues and court settlements related to benefits determination.

Prepares or directs the preparation of correspondence and reports for unusual or complex retirement problems or in response to inquiries by the Legislature, retirement associations, or members of the system.

Participates in the review, analysis, and implementation of automated systems affecting member benefits.

Communicates with the actuary and implements changes to benefit formulas.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of benefit service provision.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.

Knowledge of standard desktop software such as word processing, spreadsheet and database functions.

Ability to read, comprehend and interpret written materials.

Ability to interpret data in the form of tables, graphs, trend analysis, and charts.

Ability to perform mathematical calculations.

Ability to effectively communicate orally.

Ability to effectively communicate in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Retirement Administrator or Regional Office Administrator, PSERS;

                                                                                                                                                or

Three years of managerial or consultative experience that includes one year of experience in benefit administration, benefit management, benefit counseling or benefit calculation and one year of professional supervisory experience; and a bachelor's degree;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes three years of managerial or consultative experience including one year of experience in benefit administration, benefit management, benefit counseling or benefit calculation and one year of professional supervisory experience.