County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, serves as the principal staff assistant and second in command to the Chief Executive Officer, ACERA; acts as intermediary for the Chief Executive Officer, ACERA in highly sensitive and critical matters; is responsible for Benefits and Accounting operations; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a single position class reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, ACERA and is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations of ACERA’s various functions (i.e., Benefits and Member Services, Accounting, Record Keeping and Special Projects). The incumbent provides leadership for ACERA’s management team and professional staff to adhere to policies established by the Board of Retirement and the General Manager; acts for the Chief Executive Officer, ACERA in his or her absence.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are 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. Directs the work of division managers (Chief Financial Officer, ACERA and Benefits Manager) and is responsible for day-to-day operations of these divisions.

2. Interacts with internal and external resources to integrate and optimize ACERA’s technological support systems, retirement information system databases, investment/accounting and other software, and ACERA’s telecommunications system.

3. Prepares and reviews documents and publications; ensures accuracy, consistency and maintenance of professional standards for all written materials produced by ACERA.

4. Works with the Chief Financial Officer, ACERA on the development of annual departmental budget and in facilitating the work involved in the annual audit of ACERA.

5. Works with the fund’s actuary, the Retirement Benefits Manager and the Chief Financial Officer, ACERA to ensure that an accurate, thorough and timely actuarial evaluation is prepared.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - Continued

6. Monitors progress on special projects.

7. Develops administrative policy recommendations relating to all facets of public pension plan administration to improve or expand member services and to achieve business efficiencies.

8. Analyzes the impact of changes in legislative or regulatory requirements; establishes and monitors procedures to implement necessary changes which may be of benefit to ACERA.

9. Assists the Chief Executive Officer, ACERA and the Investment Officer with the development of policies and procedures involved in the oversight of ACERA’s investment portfolio.

10. Evaluates ACERA’s ability to be responsible to members’ needs for information; makes recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer, ACERA for proactive changes designed to improve ACERA’s effectiveness and productivity.

11. Conducts presentations on a wide variety of retirement-related issues to accomplish member education regarding benefit programs and entitlements.

12. Conducts staff training to ensure quality and customer service standards are met and to meet the fiduciary responsibilities of the Board and staff; provides trustee training materials for newly elected/appointed members of the Board of Retirement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:
Either I
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Public or Business Administration, Human Resources or closely related field.

AND
The equivalent of three years’ full-time experience at a level of Accounting and Operations Manager or Benefits Manager.
OR II
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Public or Business Administration, Human Resources or closely related field.

AND
The equivalent of five years of professional level fiscal or pension benefits administration experience, including the equivalent of at least one year in a supervisory or management position, preferably in a California government agency retirement office.

Possession of the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist certificate in pension benefits management is highly desirable.

Substitution:

Additional years of experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

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 “Example of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Cash flow and fiscal analysis.
• Actuarial principles pertaining to retirement system funding.
• Institutional investment practices and regulations, fiduciary and trust law.
• Budget preparation.
• Presentation, both written and oral.
• Laws and regulations governing investment management and payroll systems.
• Governmental accounting principles and practices, GASB.
• Information sytems management.
• Principles and applications sufficient to direct development and evaluation of new applications and systems.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain professional relationships with members of the Retirement Board, ACERA staff, members of the Retirement Association, other governmental agencies, legal and investment professionals and consultants.
• Plan, coordinate, supervise and direct the work of subordinate professional, technical and clerical staff.
• Coach and develop staff.
• Develop, evaluate, and analyze operational policies and procedures.
• Interpret and apply complex written materials such as: investment policies and guidelines, statutes, contracts and regulations.
• Analyze problems and complaints and identify solutions.
• Prepare, interpret, and evaluate a variety of narrative and statistical data reports.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing on a variety of issues.
• Oversee and coordinate management of information systems.
• Manage work teams in a team environment.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

JH:lm Typed: 3/25/96
VS:jc /Revised 6/98
Old doc: 1305H.doc
New doc: 1358.doc
ys/12/00
CSC Date: 7/22/1998
DRH:po Revise/Retitle 4/25/06
{old title: Deputy General Manager (ACERA)]
CSC Date: 4/26/2006
DRH:po Revise/Retitle 5/8/06
[old title: Asst. Executive Officer, ACERA)
CSC Date: 5/24/2006

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.