2H43

PAY RANGE: N24

PENSION PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is administrative pension program work directing, through subordinate supervisors, a staff of technical and clerical personnel administering a major component of the City's Pensions and Retirement Program. The positions are responsible for directing pension counseling; administering health and welfare benefits and providing administrative support for the Pensions and Retirement Program; or processing pension withdrawal applications and providing technical and clerical support for a pensions and retirement program. Work is performed under the direction of the Deputy Director or an administrative superior.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)

1. Only four positions can be allocated to this class.

2. The positions must be responsible for directing pension counseling, administrative support and health and welfare functions, or a pension withdrawal program and technical and clerical support activities.

3. The work must be performed for the City's Board of Pensions and Retirement or the Office of Human Resources.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Manages, through subordinates, the processing of all retirement interviews and pension applications; directs and coordinates pre-retirement planning programs; selects topic for discussions and obtains guest speakers; confers with marketing consultants to develop informational materials used for pre-retirement benefit presentations; interprets and explains provisions of the Pension Ordinance to employees and retirees.

Directs the administration of City health plans for retiree groups; prepares written directives, memoranda, and newsletters to inform employees about the pension program.

Administers the personnel and payroll function of the Pension Board; expedites processing of personnel transactions; conducts employment interviews, discusses disciplinary cases with supervisors, employees and union representatives; reviews the processing of employee payroll documents.

Supervises direct deposit pension account activities; confers with bank personnel to resolve direct deposit account problems.

May provide input on purchasing functions, purchase requisitions, and the purchase of equipment and supplies as required by assignment.

Ensures that employees submitting applications for pension withdrawals are aware of several options, including the option to remain vested in the pension system; reviews and monitors the processing of bi-monthly pension withdrawal payrolls.

Supervises the programming and data entry necessary to process monthly pension and withdrawal payrolls; maintains database of pensioners receiving post-retirement adjustments as required by law; prepares annual filing for reimbursement.

Supervises the maintenance of employee files; directs the processing of accounts for purchases, leaves and repurchases of service; maintains all quasi-public agency accounts; directs the preparation of files needed for retirement interviews.

Administers compliance with the disqualification section 22-1302 of the Pension Ordinance by initiating departmental surveys; revising dismissal papers and coordinating enforcement efforts.

Serves as a liaison between pension staff, the Board’s actuary and other officials in preparing the annual evaluation of the retirement system; consults with City Solicitor's office on pension cases being litigated.

Serves as hearing panel officer at evidentiary hearings granted to applicants who were denied pension benefits; consults with the City's attorneys and applicant’s attorneys, explains pension regulations to Board members and other related parties who serve on evidentiary hearings; manages special projects assigned by the Executive Director; may assist in the preparation of the Board's annual budget as required; may attend and testify at City Council hearings.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• principles and provisions of the City's Pension and Retirement Program

• principles and practices used in maintaining a comprehensive pension program

• principles and practices used to administer defined benefit and defined contribution plans

• the application of benefits under the acts pertaining to old age and survivor’s insurance

• laws, statutes, ordinances, legal decisions and labor agreements affecting the administration of pension plans

• administrative principles and practices

• supervisory methods and techniques

• the practices and procedures used in the supervision and administration of an employee benefit program

• techniques used in interviewing and counseling individuals and groups

• benefits payroll practices and procedures if required by assignment

• training skills and techniques

• personal and networked computers and relevant proprietary software applications

ABILITY TO:

• supervise a staff of technical and clerical personnel

• analyze and review a high volume of data related to pension benefits for accuracy

• interpret and apply procedures required for the administration of defined benefit and defined contribution plans

• analyze the major administrative requirements of a comprehensive pension program

• apply the provisions of the City's pension program, Civil Service Regulations and other regulations applicable to pension program administration

• implement legally binding agreements that require changes to the administration of

pension plans

• conduct pre-retirement benefits training seminars if required by work assignment

• interpret a variety of financial reports

• research personnel records, legal and other official documents

• express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing

• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees, pensioners, beneficiaries, survivors, their representatives, governmental officials, bank representatives, and investment and actuarial consultants

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 1/25.)

EDUCATION:

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university.

NOTE: An industry related certification or additional experience may substitute for the degree on a year for year basis.

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Three years of administrative experience.

OR

Three years of pension counseling experience.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Two years in the Philadelphia Board of Pensions providing a variety of administrative and technical services at the full performance level or providing pension counseling at the supervisory level.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the specific experience.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Class Established 9/85

Spec. Revision:

CSC - 10/94

Ad. Board - 1/95

CSC - 1/09

Ad. Board - 2/09

Spec. Revision:

CSC - 1/16

Ad. Board - 2/16

Spec. Revision:

CSC – 3/24

Ad. Board – 4/24

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 12/24

Ad. Board – 1/25