State of Maryland

A Retirement Benefits Specialist Supervisor is the supervisory level of specialized counseling work related to the application and interpretation of laws, rules, regulations and policies governing the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System.  Employees in this classification supervise lower-level Retirement Benefits Specialists.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a designated administrator.  The work requires employees to travel to various locations throughout the State and may require overnight travel.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Retirement Benefits Specialist Supervisor is differentiated from the Retirement Benefits Specialist Advanced/Lead in that the Retirement Benefits Specialist Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Retirement Benefits Specialists while the Retirement Benefits Specialist Advanced/ Lead serves either as the key technical and primary subject matter expert in a specific area or assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Retirement Benefits Specialists. 

Supervises, plans, coordinates, assigns and evaluates the work of lower-level Retirement Benefits Specialists;

Develops and implements training programs for lower-level Retirement Benefits Specialists;

Advises prospective retirees of pension benefits and options available under specific retirement plans in order to assist them in making informed retirement decisions;

Interprets and applies applicable retirement benefits laws, rules, regulations and policies;

Prepares and conducts multimedia presentations before groups of employees, employee representatives, and retirement coordinators to explain Retirement and Pension System laws, procedures, and requirements;

Researches member records using computer databases and other agency systems;

Counsels members and retirees in one-on-one settings and on the telephone and performs the required follow-up to provide requested information;

Prepares and reviews correspondence in response to complex requests;

Conducts pre-retirement seminars for all plan participants at various locations throughout the State;

Completes necessary documents to ensure expeditious and effective initiation of payments to retirees;

Processes member claims for disability retirement through various administrative and medical review steps;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of office procedures, business English, spelling, grammar and arithmetic;

Knowledge of the application of Retirement and Pension System current laws and history of past laws regarding the multiple retirement plans, rules, regulations, and policies;

Skill in managing work time efficiently and effectively;

Skill in complex problem solving;

Skill in providing quality customer service;

Skill in identifying and correcting errors regarding information provided to customers;

Skill in analyzing agency organizational structure and functions as they apply to retirement rules, laws, regulations and policies;

Skill in interpreting and applying federal and State tax and pension laws;

Skill in accurately analyzing and addressing the issues presented by members and annuitants;

Skill in making presentations before small and large groups and presenting information in a clear and concise manner;

Ability to plan, coordinate, supervise and evaluate the work of lower-level Retirement Benefits Specialists;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, executive staff and the general public;

Ability to exercise tact and discretion in dealing with coworkers, the general public, and government officials.

Experience: Eight years of experience counseling employees or responding to inquiries in a call center relative to pension benefits and options available under a State, federal or local retirement and pension system.

Notes:

1.  Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and four years of experience counseling employees or responding to inquiries in a call center relative to pension benefits and options available under a State, federal or local retirement and pension system for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Maryland Retirement Coordinator certification issued by the Maryland State Retirement Agency, 120 E. Baltimore Street, Baltimore MD, 21202, for one year of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in Business Management, Business Administration or Public Administration from an accredited college or university for five years of the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Financial  Management classifications or Financial Management specialty codes in the Accounting and Budget field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties shall be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Employees in this classification must possess and maintain a Notary Public certification valid in the State of Maryland.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.