County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under close supervision and direction from the Senior Retirement Technician, this class of Retirement Technician, conducts enrollment, processes retirement benefits and provides on-going assistance to eligible members of the Alameda County Employee Retirement Association (ACERA) participating members with Pension, Death, Disability, Health and Dental Plans and performs other related duties as assigned.  

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES   

This classification is the entry level of a flexibly-staffed series located in the Alameda County Employee Retirement Association Department.  Retirement Technicians are responsible for encompassing a variety of activities, such as providing ACERA membership enrollment, on-going benefits assistance and benefits administration.  Incumbents in the class of Retirement Technician are expected to promote to the class of Senior Retirement Technician through the flexibly-staffed process.  Promotion from one level to another is not based solely on time but also based on demonstrated competencies and professional performance of the duties listed below.            

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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

1.  Provides explanation of comprehensive benefit plans to members including Health and Dental, Vision and Death benefits through counseling sessions and by phone.  

2.  Participates in new member seminar.  Conducts mid-career and pre-retirement seminars, providing information for retirement planning by providing support and answering individual questions.  

3.  Assists members in processing Status Changes; resolves and communicates benefits deduction issues for the duration of membership, acts as a liasion in the filing and resolution of member benefit claims including refunds for terminating members and ex-spouses and community property claims to include active, deferred and retired death benefit claims.  

4.  Researches and resolves problems related to member benefits coverage; discusses and resolves problems with employers, benefit carriers and program administrators. .  

5.  Monitors/reconciles numerous benefit-related reports (including contributions to membership and plan premium.   EXAMPLES OF DUTIES- continued    

6.  Verifies and performs calculation related to benefit data, including retirement allowance estimates, cost of purchase service credit, retirement contributions. Medicare premium and subsidy adjustments, refunds, and other related benefit matters.  

7.  Communicates and processes annual Open Enrollment changes within a specified timeframe.  

8.  Processes enrollment forms/paperwork by checking for accuracy and completeness, verifying member eligibility and ensuring contributions have begun.  

9.  Inputs, verifies, and retrieves member related data from the employer computer systems.  

10.  Documents all member calls using an on-line call tracking tool in a small call center environment and documents issues received via e-mail, fax, mail, QIC or walk-in.  

11.  Responds to benefit related inquiries from members, beneficiaries, employers, benefit carriers and trustees.  

12.  Advises separating members regarding retirement benefit related options.  

13.  Establishes and maintains effective work relationships with business partners in the performance of required duties.  

14.  Conducts retirement application in-take sessions providing information on retirement allowance options, death benefits and payroll deductions.  

15.  Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I  

Experience  

The equivalent of one year full-time experience in the class of Employee Benefits Tech I with experience processing and explaining employee health related benefits in the Alameda County classified service.              

Or II Experience  

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience processing and explaining pension or health related benefits program in a department of a private or public organization.  One year of payroll experience may be substituted for one year of benefits experience.   

A Bachelor's degree with major course work in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Economics, Human Services or related field or possession of the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist certificate may be substituted for two years of the required experience.      

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

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.    

Knowledge of:  

·  Effective customer service techniques.

·  Team-based work environment.

·  Information gathering and interviewing techniques.

·  Research methods.

·  Basic mathematical functions and computations, including calculating percentages and prorated benefit amounts.

·  1937 Act County Employees Retirement Law.

·  Word processing and spreadsheet applications and data entry skills.

·  Calculators and their functions.

·  Correct usage of English, including punctuation, spelling and grammar.  

Ability to  

·  Listen attentively in order to discern members’ needs.

·  Demonstrate sensitivity and interpersonal skills when interviewing and counseling members.

·  Be diplomatic and tactful when dealing with a variety of people of diverse backgrounds.

·  Establish and maintain professional relationships with ACERA members, ACERA staff, personnel in other departments and agencies, members of the Board of Retirement and with representatives from legal, medical or consultant firms.

·  Work independently and in a team-based environment.

·  Communicate effectively in oral and written form.

·  Independently draft correspondence and procedures.

·  Research and prepare clear, concise and comprehensive reports.

·  Read, comprehend, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

·  Maintain information system database through accurate input of data.

·  Perform a variety of mathematical computations using a calculator.

·  Use and/or design spreadsheet applications to automate work processes.

·  Function proficiently in an automated office environment.

·  Multi-task and prioritize work projects.  

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Old document:  RS I/II/II combined

VS:jc  8/98

Old Doc:  1351h.doc

New doc: /1351-1352-1353.doc

ys/12/00

Csc Date:  9/30/98

DRH:pf:  Rev. 11/20/01

Csc Date:   1/30/02

DRH:po  Revised 5/9/06

CSC Date:  6/21/2006

AM:ah  Revised/Retitled 6/25/18

Old Title: Retirement Specialist II

CSC Date: 7/18/18

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) 
• 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
• 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.