12/05/1997 09585

FIELD OPERATIONS COORDINATOR, PMRS

DEFINITION: This is professional, advisory, high visibility, promotional work representing the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System (PMRS) as a pension consultant and facilitator to municipal officials and employees.

An employee in this class interacts with municipal officials and employees on a broad range of pension administration issues including explaining the advantages of membership in the PMRS, responsibilities of member organizations, the differences in pension plans offered by the PMRS, individual benefits and accounting issues, and liaison between the municipal governments and all areas and programs of the PMRS. Work involves representing the retirement system at professional conferences
for municipal government officials, municipal meetings, and at union meetings and other municipal employee gatherings as requested to provide information and maintain coordination of services to member organizations and employees. Work involves both the promotion of the PMRS as a safe, reliable and service oriented pension system alternative for municipal governments, and also the servicing of municipalities already members of the system who would like to upgrade their plan or
discuss various types of service issues. Work is performed with considerable independence within the policy guidelines of the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System, and the direction of the Chief of the Membership and Municipal Services Division. Work is reviewed through reports, meetings and review of overall program results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Schedules and meets with representatives of current and prospective municipal plans to review and answer questions relative to either establishing or modifying a pension plan.

Schedule and meet with currently enrolled and prospective employee members, usually in groups, to review and answer questions relative to the benefits provided by the municipality pension plan.

Investigate benefit disputes involving conflicting labor contracts plan documents and actual practice to insure that the benefits are permissible and are properly reflected in the pension plan agreements between the municipality and the PMRS.

Provide ongoing technical assistance and guidance to municipal representatives in completing forms required in accordance with PMRS procedures and legal and regulatory requirements such as those of the Auditor General and the Public Employee Retirement Commission.

Share problems, questions, and issues with other PMRS staff, monitor that an inquiry is responded to timely, and act in an ombudsman capacity for the agency.

Travels extensively throughout the state to meet with local municipal officials and their employees to explain pension plan benefits and services.

Communicate with attorneys, other state agencies and municipalities, both orally and in writing, particularly with respect to queries relative to Act 15 of 1974 (PMRS law) and its administration.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of pension plan administration and practices including knowledge of the differences between defined benefit and defined contribution plans and the characteristics of each sufficient to explain general questions about them.

Knowledge of public pension laws and regulations that pertain to the administration of government plans.

Knowledge of pension audit practices and terminology.

Knowledge of retirement financial planning.

Ability to deliver effective and informative presentations to individuals or groups whether in an informal or formal presentation setting.

Ability to present complex technical information and calculations in a manner which can be understood by people who have limited to no knowledge of pension systems and administrative requirements.

Ability to speak effectively and develop cooperation between diverse groups and interests.

Ability to work independently, without close supervision, to explain provisions of Act 15 of 1974, and to promote cooperation and problemsolving between member organizations and the PMRS.

Ability to learn basic actuarial principals and pension plan design concepts.

Ability to schedule and to travel to meeting places anywhere within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania whether during normal working hours or evening meetings.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, develop and deliver oral and written reports, and communicate via telephone and/or Internet transmission as required.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of professional administrative experience in membership services, plan administration, or pension planning in a public pension system; and a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Economics, Human Resources Management, or a related field,

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One year of professional experience in a public pension system including membership services, plan administration, or pension planning; and certification as a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist issued by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans,

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training which included two years of professional experience in membership services, plan administration, or pension planning in a public pension system.