01/27/2012 09540

RETIREMENT COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, PSERS

DEFINITION: This is responsible administrative and managerial work in directing a member and employer services 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 educate annuitants, members, school district personnel, staff and the public about the programs and services provided by PSERS. Work may involve responsibility for creating communications related to benefit policies and procedures for the agency. An employee in this job also provides leadership in the development and execution of presentations. Supervision is exercised over Regional Office Administrators, Retirement Administrators and professional, administrative and technical staff related to the timely delivery of retirement benefits information. Work is performed independently under the general direction of the Bureau Director who reviews work for consistency with agency standards of quality and effectiveness.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Manages a staff of subordinate administrators, supervisors and technical and clerical employees involved in the support of the member services and employer services programs.

Directs the preparation of active and retired membership quarterly newsletters and a monthly bulletin to the school districts.

Manages the telephone call center operation.

Manages PSERS’ field offices to ensure consistency of all individual or group member retirement counseling sessions.

Assists in the review and development of policies, operating procedures, and schedules utilized in the member services and employer services programs.

Oversees technical work done by staff ranging from the review of member and employer account information to the completion of retirement estimates.

Writes and edits various forms of informational materials and other types of media, such as videos, exhibits, and training/educational workshops.

Researches and analyzes various costs, contracted services, and personnel requirements for the development of budgetary requests.

Develops standards for member and employer presentations.

Provides oversight of scheduling considerations for field offices ensuring efficiency within geographical areas.

Travels to off-site locations such as employers and regional field offices to review presentations and provide supervisory direction to Regional Office Administrators.

Works closely with a Bureau Director’s support staff and Facilities Manager, PSERS, to obtain and maintain appropriate office space for the agency’s regional field office operations.

Implements changes and develops alternate processes for staff response to member and employer inquiries as a result of changes in legislation affecting PSERS.

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 for PSERS.

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

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 KNOWLEDGES 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 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 establish and maintain effective working relationships.

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;

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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.