Retirement Payroll Manager Jobs

Definition
Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates and reviews the work of staff providing support to Contra Costa County Employees' Retirement Association (CCCERA)'s Retirement Services Department; functional areas of responsibility include communication service, counseling, benefit payment and retirement disability programs; oversees all benefit calculation processes to verify benefit amounts are determined in accordance with program provisions; participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned areas; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate staffing and service levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures; and performs related duties as required.
Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives general direction from the Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical and clerical staff.
Class Characteristics
This classification has department head status in CCCERA and reports to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer. This classification is distinguished from other CCCERA management classifications by virtue of its responsibility for the specialized pension benefit counseling, computation, pension payroll and retirement disability functions associated with CCCERA's operations under the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937. This position is further distinguished by its responsibility to interact directly with the Retirement Board, State, County officials and actuarial, health care, legal and data processing professionals.

(Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Analyzes and interprets court orders concerning civil, probate, juvenile, and spousal or community property issues and supervises the administration of such orders.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Prepares Board documents and conducts presentations to the Retirement Board on matters within assigned program areas; responds to Board questions and comments.
• Plans, manages and oversees the daily functions, operations and activities of the Retirement Services Department; functional areas of responsibility include communication service, counseling, benefit payment and retirement disability programs; oversees all benefit calculation processes to verify benefit amounts are determined in accordance with all plan provisions; oversees retiree payroll functions, including issuing 1099-Rs and complying with 415(b) annual benefit limits; directs annual retirement benefit statement processing, assuring compliance with Federal, State, County, Retirement Board and CCCERA regulations, laws, policies and procedures.
• Coordinates department activities with other CCERA departments, management and staff.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends changes to executive management.
• Manages the administration of disability benefits, and implementation of the Board's Disability Retirement Application and Hearing Policy; consults with and advises attorneys, actuaries and medical professionals on retirement policies, procedures, practices and legal obligations.
• Performs related duties as required.
• Directs and ensures the provision of quality customer service; maintains liaison with County departments, special districts and agencies who are members of CCCERA's Retirement System; receives and supervises the response to appeals, staff/Board determinations and service complaints; deals directly with active and retired members and their legal representatives on difficult or sensitive retirement issues.
• Participates in the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, policies and priorities; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate staffing and service levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures, prioritizes and allocates available resources.
• Represents the department in meetings with governmental agencies, professional associations, business and community organizations and the public with respect to retirement system policies, procedures, practices and legal obligations.
• Reviews and/or develops text for brochures, handbooks and standard letters regarding the benefit programs administered.

Knowledge of:

• Federal and State laws, rules and regulations governing pension systems, retirement plan administration and accounting requirements.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation.
• Current issues, trends, legislation and management theories related to benefit plan administration.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision, including work planning.
• Modern office practices and methods.
• Principles and practices of effective customer service.
• Fiscal, actuarial and budgetary principles and procedures.
• Principles, theory and practices of public administration.
• Principles, practices, and legal implications involved in service disability assessments.
• Administrative principles and practices including goal setting; program development, implementation and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of effective counseling and meeting facilitation.
• Defined benefit retirement plans and other types of pension plans.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, evaluation and implementation of benefits programs, policies and operational needs.
• Rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity and compliance with applicable laws and regulations at all times.
• Administer complex retirement plan operations and services in an independent and cooperative manner.
• Plan, organize, assign, review and evaluate the work of staff; train staff in work procedures.
• Use tact and initiative, and make independent decisions within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Manage a complex service retirement disability program.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks to meet critical deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computers and specialized software applications relevant to work performed.
• Develop trust and credibility with CCCERA stakeholders.
• Effectively represent CCCERA in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups and various businesses, professional and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
• Demonstrate strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity and compliance with applicable laws and regulations at all times.
• Direct and ensure the implementation of a variety of filing, recordkeeping and tracking systems.
• Conduct presentations with the Board, internal colleagues and external organizations.
• Interpret, apply, explain and ensure compliance with Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Ensure optimal customer service.
• Establish, maintain and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Research, analyze, evaluate and develop new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and other written materials.
• Recommend and implement department goals and objectives.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Manage the implementation of effective counseling services for CCCERA members.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be

Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration or closely related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience within a large organization in retirement benefits or pension plan administration, at least two (2) years of which must have been at a supervisory level. One (1) year of full-time experience with a defined benefit plan is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

None.

Physical Demands:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements:

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Disaster Service Worker:

All Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement Association (CCCERA) employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with CCCERA requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency, therefore, employees must be residing within 200 miles of Concord, CA on scheduled work days.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

It is the policy of CCCERA to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Applicants will be reviewed when they are submitted.
This position has 5 steps in the salary range. CCCERA generally starts new hires at step 1, or step 2 based on qualifications. The salary increase from step 1 to step 2 is assessed at 6 months and annually thereafter.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

BENEFITS: CCCERA offers a wide range of competitive benefit options to meet the needs of our diverse workforce and their families. These benefits include but are not limited to:

For your Health & Welfare Benefits:

• Basic Life Insurance
• Dependent Care Assistance Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical – through CalPERS
• Vision
• Health Care Spending Account (Flexible Savings Account for medical expenses)
• Dental
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage)

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Social Security)
• Long-term Disability Insurance

• Sick Leave Accrual
• Vacation Accrual
• Paid Holidays
• Personal Holiday Accrual
• Administrative Leave (for classifications not eligible for overtime compensation)

• Employee Incentive Compensation or Performance Award Programs are not offered at CCCERA