PAY RANGE: 16
This is pension counseling work at the intermediate level advising and informing individuals of the provisions and application of the Municipal Retirement Ordinances.
Employees in this class participating in a continuing training program learning to calculate pension payments, repayments, and survivors' benefits. Interviewing and counseling employees, pensioners, survivors, beneficiaries and their representatives is a significant aspect of the work. Employees in this class report to a technical superior.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
· The position must perform intermediate level pension counseling work advising and informing individuals of the provisions and applications of the City’s pension program.
· The position must be located in the Board of Pensions and Retirement.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Applies the principles and practices of the pension program including interviewing and counseling employees, pensioner, beneficiaries, survivors and their representatives regarding the scope and provisions of the Municipal Retirement Ordinances, as well as its health and welfare program.
Computes the payments, repayments, health and welfare benefits and survivors' benefits; examines personnel history folders to verify employees' employment and pension contribution histories and to obtain necessary data for computations.
Learns to compute the equitable distribution of marital pension property under the Pennsylvania Divorce Act.
Examines applications for pension and survivors' benefits for completeness and accuracy; investigates and secures facts necessary to process pension and survivors' applications; recommends approval or disapproval of applications; prepares case histories on survivors' applications for Board meetings.
Composes correspondence requesting and replying correspondence for information for such matters as payment of death claim, repayments, leaves of absence, and changes in pension options; corresponds with employees, pensioners, survivors, beneficiaries and their representatives in obtaining and verifying information necessary to ensure compliance with the ordinances.
Contacts personnel in other city agencies to obtain data and advise them on the proper methods for processing pension cases and applications.
Advises disability applicants on the provisions of the city's Disability Reform Program.
Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· business English, spelling and arithmetic
· standard office practices and procedures
· the principles and practices of pension systems
· interviewing methods and practices as they pertain to pension counseling
· the principles and provisions of the Municipal Retirement Ordinances
· computer software as it relates to the pension program
· applicable provisions of the Civil Service Regulations
ABILITY TO:
· analyze facts and exercise sound judgement
· prepare and maintain reports and records
· use and adapt to computer systems as it relates to the city’s pension program
· compute quickly and accurately pension payments, repayments and survivors’ benefits
· interpret and explain the various retirement plans, laws and regulations
· express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees, pensioners, beneficiaries, survivors and their representative
· adapt to changes in the City’s pension laws and apply them to each case
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 4/12.)
EDUCATION:
Completion of an associate degree program at an accredited college or university.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
One year of Pension Counselor Trainee experience interviewing and counseling individuals on the provisions of the City’s pension program.
An equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the specific experience.
NOTE:
Four years of advanced level clerical or administrative experience at or above pay range 11 or EP 7 may be substituted for the education requirement.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
CSC - 7/97
Ad. Board - 9/97
Latest Spec Revision:
CSC – 3/12
Ad. Board – 4/12