County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction of the Chief Counsel and the Board of Retirement, the Compliance Officer (CO) serves as the primary ACERA (Alameda County Employees’ Retirement Association) staff member responsible for providing direction and oversight for implementing, administering, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on a program of effective compliance with applicable laws, rules, and policies; fosters a culture of compliance, communicates the importance of the compliance function and compliance programs to management, the Board of Retirement, and other stakeholders; identifies, implements, and monitors new compliance laws, rules, policies and processes; provides compliance training and corrective feedback to staff; identifies and assesses areas of compliance risk; develops and implements procedures for receiving, monitoring, detecting, investigating, evaluating, correcting, and reporting alleged compliance violations; prepares compliance status reports for management and the Board of Retirement; provides management with technical assistance for the vendor contracting process: pre-award, contract review, and post-award compliance.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a single position class reporting to the Chief Counsel, ACERA. This class is distinguished from Chief Investment Officer, ACERA in that the latter is responsible for evaluating compliance for Investment Service Provider contracts because the Investment Department has the expertise and procedures to evaluate this compliance. Many investment contracts contain Non Disclosure Agreements that limit access to these contracts. It is further distinguished from the class of County Contract Compliance Officer by virtue of its responsibility for the much broader scope of ACERA compliance programs, rather than just contract compliance.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following duties are performed by the employee in this classification. However, the employee may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. The employee in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Identify applicable Federal, State, and County compliance laws, regulations, rules, policies, procedures, audit requirements, documentation and quality assurance standards. Keep abreast of and analyze new and revised rules that apply to ACERA and update the Regulatory Matrix and Governance Framework. Research tools and best practices to monitor, investigate, evaluate, and report on compliance activities.

2. Create, implement and administer effective compliance program policies, procedures and systems to: assess and mitigate material compliance risks; comply with laws, regulations, and policies, and adhere to ethical standards. Collaborate with management to effectively incorporate the compliance program within system operations and programs. Ex: Prepare and distribute the written code of conduct setting forth ACERA’s ethical principles and
policies. Ex: Partner with operating departments to develop and update policies, procedures and desk manuals. Ex: Monitor and assist with update of delegated authorities.

3. Annually assess compliance risk exposures and review the compliance program to determine its effectiveness. Recommend appropriate revisions and modifications to compliance policies, procedures, forms, and publications needed to promote ongoing effectiveness, efficiencies, and respond to changing compliance requirements. Advise management and the Board of Retirement (see item 11).

4. In collaboration with the Human Resources Officer, develop, implement, operate and maintain an effective compliance educational training and orientation program for ACERA staff to ensure that they have the requisite information and knowledge of laws, regulations, Board Policies, fiduciary responsibilities, and ethical requirements to carry out their responsibilities in a lawful and ethical manner. Provide compliance technical assistance advisory services to staff, vendors, and others stakeholders. Maintain liaison with citizens, community, and professional groups to explain ACERA’s compliance programs and procedures.

5. In conjunction with the Chief Counsel and the Internal Auditor, establish, administer, and publicize a retaliation-free process for receiving, documenting and investigating all complaints concerning ACERA’s compliance and ethics policies and procedures. Ex: Ethics Helpline.

6. Develop and maintain a system to investigate and recommend responses to formal and informal complaints of non-compliance from staff, vendors, businesses, community groups, and individuals. Assist the Chief Counsel in interfacing and, when appropriate, negotiating with external regulatory authorities.

7. Design and conduct periodic compliance monitoring and auditing of individual departments. Collaborate with the Internal Auditor to assist on compliance and/or other internal audits. Respond promptly to detected offenses, developing corrective action, and reporting findings to the Board of Retirement via established channels.

8. Participate in the Compliance and Ethics Committee (Compliance Officer, Chief Counsel, and Internal Auditor- Chair) to investigate alleged ethical misconduct and compliance issues. Consult with other Subject Matter Experts (IT, HR, outside consultants) to complete investigations and assessments. If any misconduct or noncompliance is detected, recommend a corrective action plan and follow up to ensure the recommendations have been implemented. Track all issues referred to the CO to ensure prompt action.

9. Interface with managers to capture data needed to prepare compliance program status reports and business metrics as directed or requested. Present periodic and annual reports on the compliance program to the CEO and the Audit Committee. Reporting includes potential and real business risks, compliance efforts, and policy compliance evaluation.

10. Contracting: Assist management as required with pre-award and due diligence work. This may include: preparing or assisting with Requests for Proposal and Requests for Information, evaluating bids, setting contract acceptance strategies, arranging and/or conducting pre-bid meetings to inform potential bidders of program requirements, conducting pre-award meetings to evaluate vendor proposals and ensure that the recommended bidder has complied with ACERA policies and instructions.

11. Contracting: Ensure all contracts are considered for review by the Legal Department prior to the contract effective date. Review proposed contract documents for corporate legal compliance, business sufficiency (e.g., price, terms and conditions), and compliance with ACERA policies. Provide business guidance and assist the Chief Counsel in resolving complex contract issues and disputes.

12. Contracting: Assist ACERA management as required with post-award vendor contract compliance work: Assess actual/budget spending, monitor insurance certificate compliance, evaluate vendor performance, and monitor compliance with other contract requirements, such as providing resources and reporting.

13. Accomplish any other duties as required by the Chief Counsel and the Audit Committee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify these Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of three years of full-time experience in the classification of Contract Compliance Officer in the Alameda County classified service. (Non classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority and Consolidated Courts.)

Or II
Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in accounting, business administration, public administration, finance or a related field.


AND

Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time public pension plan administration or professional accounting experience with major systems and analysis responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Experience with/Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, processes, and procedures of compliance administration.
• Public pension system specific laws.
• Internal audit guidelines and procedures used to investigate compliance practices and fraud and abuse issues.
• Auditing, accounting and business law concepts.
• Codes, statutes, laws, and regulations related to the California Public Contract Code.
• Contract procurement business practices, conditions and networks in the Bay Area.
• Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.


Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and direct compliance programs.
• Interpret and apply laws, rules and regulations.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Demonstrate strong research and analytic skills, and ability to provide practical and sound advice to management on compliance-related business objectives.
• Utilize excellent written communication skills to draft concise reports, policies, procedures, forms, and publications.
• Exhibit effective working relationship, collaborative, and adaptable skills. Demonstrate the ability to influence organizational behavior and create alignment across disparate groups, while maintaining objectivity amongst all groups.
• Work independently and as a member of a team with minimum supervision.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Newspec: 1339
AM:cs 10/12/11
CSC Date: 11/30/11

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.