GENERAL DEFINITION

This is training level pension counseling work. Employees in this class learn to provide information on all aspects of retirement systems administered by the Board of Pensions, become knowledgeable in the provisions and applications of the Public Employees Retirement Code, and calculate retirement benefits and benefit estimates.

Employees gain expertise in retirement and disability case management, including transition of employees from active employment to retirement.

Work is performed under the general supervision of a technical superior.

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

· Employees must perform increasingly difficult and more responsible work as their training period progresses.

· Employees must learn and apply provisions of the City’s Retirement Code.

· Employees in this class must learn the provisions of the City’s retiree health and welfare program.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK: (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

RECEIVES ON THE JOB TRAINING IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Interviews, counsels and computes phases of pension benefit case administration; learns all provisions of the Pension Code and all Board regulations; receives instruction on the proper interpretation and application of the Code and regulations.

Interprets the provisions of various types of health and welfare benefits available to retirees, including such programs as opt-out, deferral and the conversion of terminal sick leave to additional City-paid health benefits.

Calculates payments, re-payments, withdrawals, pensions, disability, DROP and survivors’ benefits; researches employee pension files and audits employee payroll data to verify employees’ employment histories and to obtain background information necessary to calculate retirement benefits and benefit estimates.

Audits the benefit calculations prepared by other members of counseling staff.

Counsels employees, pensioners, DROP participants, beneficiaries, survivors and their representatives and other fund members on the provisions of the Public Employees Retirement Code.

Counsels employees, pensioners, DROP participants, beneficiaries, survivors and their representatives and other system members on the provisions of the City’s health and welfare program, including such programs as opt-out, deferral and the conversion of terminal sick leave to additional City-paid health benefits.

Corresponds with system members in response to requests for information on all aspects of retirement as administered by the Board.

Corresponds with department heads, the City’s Office of Risk Management, members of the Board’s medical panel, system members and their legal representation in assembling documentation and preparing case histories to be submitted to the Board.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· business English, spelling and arithmetic

· PC software for mainframe, e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet and database applications

· customer service best practices

ABILITY TO:

· analyze facts and exercise sound judgment

· manage multiple projects and competing priorities effectively

· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees, pensioners, beneficiaries, survivors, and their representatives

· learn and apply, within a reasonable time, the provisions of the City’s Retirement Code

· learn and apply the Internal Revenue Service's tax laws and regulations governing pension benefits

· learn and apply, within a reasonable time, the provisions of the City’s retiree health and welfare program

· express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing

· calculate quickly and accurately pension, DROP, disability and survivorship benefits, and repayment

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applications for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 5/24.)

OPTION 1

EDUCATION:

Completion of an associate degree program at an accredited college or university.

OPTION 2

EDUCATION:

Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.

AND

EXPERIENCE

Three years of advanced level clerical or administrative experience at or above pay range 11 or EP 7.

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 - 5/62

Spec. Revision:

CSC – 3/12

Ad. Board – 4/12

Latest spec. Revision:

CSC – 4/24

Ad. Board – 5/24