Manager, Pension And Benefits

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority • Los Angeles, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Manages assigned staff in the day-to-day operations of the Pension and Benefits Department, including the administration of group health and welfare benefits programs, open enrollment, retirement benefits, and payroll and personnel issues affecting the pension and benefits area; ensures staff is properly trained in all aspects of defined pension rules and regulations so that employees can make informed decisions when determining retirement selections.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field
• Six years of relevant experience or three years of relevant supervisory-level experience in the area of benefits administration, to include experience in health and welfare benefits administration in a public agency; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of pension, benefits, health, and welfare plans
• Knowledge of applicable provisions of local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and labor/management agreements that pertain to various health, welfare, pension, and benefits plans and programs
• Knowledge of principles of supervision
• Knowledge of applicable business software applications
• Skill in interpreting and applying pertinent laws, rules, and regulations of pension and benefits administration
• Skill in coordinating daily work activities of assigned staff
• Skill in compiling and analyzing complex data
• Skill in handling highly confidential information
• Skill in determining strategies to achieve goals
• Skill in developing performance objectives
• Skill in analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Skill in preparing comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Skill in interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees, former employees, and outside representatives
• Ability to supervise subordinate staff
• Ability to establish and adjust priorities
• Ability to understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English

Nice To Haves

• Experience administering self-administered defined benefit pension plans and/or group insurance benefit plans in both unionized and non-unionized environments
• Experience counseling employees and retirees on pension benefits and group insurance benefit plans
• Experience resolving complex questions and issues related to pension or benefits plans
• Experience conducting or responding to pension and benefits related audits

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, manages, and coordinates the day-to-day work activities of assigned employees and staff on pension and benefits projects and programs, including processing retirement applications, enrolling employees in health benefits, assisting employees and retirees with insurance and pension questions/ issues, transmitting eligibility data to health plan vendors, overseeing the open enrollment process, and administering the deferred compensation programs, i.e., 401K and 457
• Evaluates, reviews, verifies, and approves retirement benefit packages; evaluates, reviews, and verifies retirement calculations
• Confirms accuracy of payments to union trust/pension funds and premium payments to insurance carriers
• Assists with negotiation of rates and services with benefits providers
• Assists Employee Relations with labor/management agreements by preparing analyses in support of negotiations and other administrative issues related to health benefits and pension benefits
• Develops performance objectives for pension and benefits programs
• Interprets and applies provisions of the collective bargaining agreements relative to health benefit eligibility
• Analyzes health benefit trends and practices related to Metro-sponsored plans
• Compiles and analyzes census data and prepares ad hoc reports
• Supports preparation of goals, objectives, and budget for Pension and Benefits non-departmental and administrative cost center
• Coordinates activities of Pension Plan Counsel, actuaries, and benefits consultants
• Develops and directs the training of Metro staff in the implementation of pension and benefits policies and practices
• Supports annual preparation and audit of Metro's Pension Plans' financial statements
• Analyzes benefits and recommends changes to the pension and benefits programs to maintain objectives and competitive position in the marketplace
• Prepares Board reports and other correspondence
• Performs special projects as required
• Accounts for assigned staff and personal compliance with all of Metro's safety rules, polices, and procedures

Benefits

• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability.
• Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager