Retirement Services Technician

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Job Details

Description

Under general direction, provides specialized support to the Retirement Services and the Member Services Departments; performs complex mathematical calculations for retirement service credits, basic estimate requests and purchases; reviews documentation for new hires and processes these members into the system; and performs related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general supervision from supervisory and management staff.  Exercises no supervision over staff.

Class Characteristics

This class is distinguished by its responsibility for processing paperwork for new system members, evaluating member placement within the retirement system, and for performing retirement related calculations such as estimates, service credits and purchase contracts.

Examples of Typical Job Functions

(Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

  • Receives, reviews, and processes paperwork and member enrollment forms, to enter members into the retirement system; reviews documents for accuracy and requests clarifying or additional information by submitting correspondence to members or other agency retirement system staff; conducts an initial assessment of placement within a system tier by evaluating classification, bargaining unit agreement, age upon entry into the system, membership in other retirement systems, and any related factors which would influence the benefits to which the member is entitled; identifies the applicable contribution rates; sets up and maintains employee master retirement file records.
  • Reviews member agency transaction activity reports for new hires, changes in hours for members, and related items which impact member benefits; identifies and processes payroll changes; proofs spreadsheets and submits payroll sheets to appropriate recipients.
  • Integrates information from payroll sheets and member enrollment forms to Subledger sheets and identifies proper Subledger code; directs demographic changes to CCCERA's Pension Administration System (CPAS) such as name, address and beneficiary changes; processes approved missed contribution adjustments and refunds for designated member groups.
  • Conducts I30 audits to verify system accuracy by comparing data within CPAS to documentation submitted by member agencies.
  • Provides assistance in determining member reciprocity from service within other retirement systems; facilitates forms and letters to agencies for counselor staff; ensures that proper service credit and details are reported; serves as liaison with other agency representatives to complete transactions; maintains logs and records.
  • Communicates with participating districts, members, and other agencies regarding document completion.
  • Performs retirement calculations, such as service credits, purchase contracts, conversions, and estimates of future pension benefits; enters calculations into CPAS to confirm that manual calculations are accurate.
  • Enters and/or reviews CPAS data for a variety of purposes including making certain that retiree payroll deductions are correct, and updating tax or payment instructions; verifies that all instructions are signed by appropriate party.
  • Sends notifications to retirees requesting updates on addresses and methods of contact; receives and enters data into CPAS.
  • Performs general office duties including preparing and processing letters and forms, filing, photocopying, maintaining records, and compiling data for forms and reports.
  • When assigned to retirement services may provide general support of retirement services staff including but not limited to reviewing and processing of death reports, preparation of initial correspondence to members and/or member's families regarding next steps, initial preparation of award letters, maintenance of logs and mail merges for a variety of internal controls.
  • Performs related duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications

 

Knowledge of:

  • Accepted principles, practices, purpose, and operations of an Employees' Retirement System.
  • Principles and practices of effective customer service.
  • Principles and practices of maintaining confidential member records.
  • Intermediate math skills.
  • Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work performed.
  • English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

Ability to:

  • Input and update information into pension administration software.
  • Perform audits and validate accuracy of information.
  • Identify, research, and resolve retirement contribution and service credit issues pertaining to member retirement accounts.
  • Perform accurate calculations requiring the use of basic mathematical skills.
  • Perform a variety of retirement plan related calculations.
  • Work in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines.
  • Learn and apply the applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the County Employees' Retirement Act of 1937 relevant to work performed.
  • Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
  • Demonstrate strong customer service skills.
  • Operate modern office equipment including computers and specialized software applications relevant to work performed.
  • Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
  • Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Demonstrate strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations at all times.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

 

Equivalent to the completion of twelfth (12th) grade and two (2) years of clerical accounting, payroll, or retirement plan administration experience.

 

Licenses and Certifications:

 

None.

Physical Demands:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds with the use of proper equipment.

Environmental Elements:

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. 

Disaster Service Worker:

All Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement Association (CCCERA) employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with CCCERA requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency, therefore, employees must be residing within 200 miles of Concord, CA on scheduled work days.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

It is the policy of CCCERA to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

 

Additional Information

This position has 8 steps in the salary range. CCCERA generally starts new hires at step 1, or step 2 based on qualifications. The salary increase from step 1  to step 2 is assessed at 6 months and annually thereafter.   

After an initial training period, CCCERA allows employees to request to work remotely up to 2 days per week. Everyone is required to work in the office on Tuesdays.  

Job ID
275
Job Title
Retirement Services Technician
Application Deadline
10/06/2023
Salary Range
$4,404.00 - $6,193.00
Job Location
Concord, CA
Website
www.cccera.org/careers 

Contact Information

Name
Roxie Mendoza
Phone Number
(925) 521-3960
Email
rmendoza@cccera.org 
Best Method of Contact
EMAIL