Retirement Benefits Program Supervisor - County of Orange

The position will be advertised from Wednesday, August 21 – Tuesday, August 27, 2024. 

Applications will be accepted starting on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. 

Only the first 50 applications will be accepted.

DESCRIPTION
The Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) invites you to join our team! We are now accepting online applications to fill the position of Retirement Benefits Program Supervisor.
 
WHO WE ARE
Established in 1945, the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) provides retirement, death, disability, and cost-of-living benefits to retirees of the County of Orange and certain County districts. Serving approximately 53,000 members, OCERS is governed by a ten-member Board of Retirement that is responsible for managing a $23 billion dollar fund. For more information about OCERS, please click here.
 
Mission
OCERS' mission is to provide secure retirement and disability benefits with the highest standards of excellence.
 
Vision
OCERS' vision is to be a trusted partner providing premier pension administration, distinguished by consistent, quality member experiences and prudent financial stewardship.
 
Values

• Open and Transparent
• Commitment to Superior Service
• Engaged and Dedicated Workforce
• Reliable and Accurate
• Secure and Sustainable

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) is seeking to fill the position of Retirement Benefits Program Supervisor. This position will report directly to one of four Member Service Managers. The incumbent will perform unique duties requiring the exercise of considerable discretion and responsible decision-making in performing work.

Under the direction of the Member Services Manager, the Retirement Benefits Program Supervisor will perform unique tasks, which include the application and explanation of policies, regulations, and guidelines where interpretation and independent judgment are required. Some assignments may also require the integration of technical knowledge with interpersonal and communication skills. The incumbent will supervise the work of one of several Member Services Units, coordinate work schedules, supervise employees, provide staff oversight, training and support, coordinate monthly retirement payrolls, and/or other work as directed.  

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or Experience

Four years of experience, which demonstrates the application of such knowledge and abilities listed as minimum qualifications; two years of which must be technical level experience in a retirement, insurance, or government benefits program, or in a personnel system that involves retirement benefits.

AND

One year of supervisory experience.

OR

Successful completion of an employer-sponsored or other introductory course in the principles of supervision. 

College-level education or training directly related to such work may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience at the rate of three-semester units equaling one month of experience and one hour of training equaling one hour of experience.

College level education beyond the bachelor degree which is directly related to the position may be substituted for up to an additional year of required experience at the rate of three semester units equaling one month of experience. Certification as an Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) may be substituted for up to an additional year of the required experience.

Special Notes, Licenses, or Requirements

• A valid California Class C driver's license or the ability to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel
• Highly Desirable: Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)

Please click here for details on this classification.

 

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will possess abilities in the following areas:

• Provide responsive, high-quality service to OCERS members, representatives of outside agencies, and members of the public by providing accurate, complete, and up-to-date information in a courteous, efficient, and timely manner;
• Ensure that the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937, Federal and State statutes, and OCERS policies are followed in the administration of the benefit programs;
• Responsible for the overall development, training, and evaluation of staff, while ensuring application of all OCERS policies and procedures;
• Participate in hiring decisions, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, and other personnel activities;
• Supervise the assigned Member Services Unit by planning, coordinating, prioritizing, providing training and monitoring staff activities;
• Monitor staff work activities to ensure safe and efficient work practices, quality, and accuracy;
• Develop schedules and methods for completing retirement signups and retirement payroll processes;
• Promote education/training for professional and personal growth, employee development, and cross-training;
• Refine processes and integrate assignments to improve the efficiency of the Member Services Division operations; and
• Responsible for performing other specialized duties related to the overall supervision of the Member Services Division.

 

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

The following lists the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.  

Knowledge of

• Extensive knowledge of the 1937 County Employees Retirement Law and current regulations and statutes as it relates to all OCERS administered benefits;
• County policies and procedures including Civil Service Rules, the Compensation Ordinance, hiring, purchasing, grievance, and disciplinary procedures;
• Defined benefit retirement plans and other types of pension plans;
• Telephone, office, and online etiquette;
• Customer service objectives, and strategies;
• Basic techniques for report writing;
• Methods and techniques of supervision, training, and motivation;
• Methods and techniques for record-keeping; and
• Computer applications and hardware related to the performance of the essential functions of the job.

Skills/Ability to

• Work independently under minimal supervision while completing a large volume of work and managing competing priorities and strict timelines in order to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Member Services Division;
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with retirement system members, Participating Employers, OCERS staff, officials, and the public;
• Communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds;
• Maintain a professional demeanor in volatile situations, which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy;
• Read, understand and interpret complex pension terminology;
• Prepare, interpret, and evaluate a variety of narrative and statistical data, reports, and presentations;
• Manage, coordinate, and plan the day-to-day operations of assigned OCERS Member Services Unit;
• Understand and interpret laws, policies, and ordinances;
• Supervise, train, coordinate, and evaluate employees;
• Perform job functions independently and in an ethical and objective manner; and
• Exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information.

 

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

OCERS is committed to providing a means for applicants who may have a disability to identify areas in which they may request a reasonable accommodation. The following is a description of the physical and mental abilities that are customarily required to perform the essential job functions of this position. Applicants are encouraged to contact the recruiter listed below for any questions or to request an accommodation during the testing/selection process.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Ability to speak, hear, and communicate clearly and understandably in English in person and over the telephone;
• Manual dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate a telephone, keyboard, write, file, staple, and use a calculator;
• Mental stamina to interact professionally with peers, members, and Participating Employers;
• Vision sufficient to read fine print and a computer monitor;
• Independent body mobility, agility, and stamina to stand, walk, stoop, bend, twist, to operate standard office environment;
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time; and
• Strength to lift and carry case files up to 10 lbs.

Environmental Conditions

The ability to interact with a wide range of individuals including other supervisors, managers, OCERS membership and Participating Employers in a variety of situations. Will be required to work in an office environment with changing deadlines and competing priorities.

 

RECRUITMENT PROCEDURE

OCERS Human Resources Department will screen all applications and supplemental responses to identify qualified candidates. Applications submitted without a completed supplemental information form will be disqualified from further consideration. After screening, the more qualified candidates will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process and notified of all further procedures applicable to their application status.
 
Application Rating (AAP)
(Refer/Non-Refer) Application materials will be rated by a panel of job knowledge experts for those qualifications most needed to perform the duties of the job. The more qualified candidates will be referred to the next step. All notifications regarding this recruitment will be sent via e-mail.

Spark Hire Interview

Referred candidates will complete a one-way pre-screening interview on the Spark Hire video interview platform. In this process, candidates will record their responses to a set of structured questions. Subject matter experts will then evaluate these video interviews to determine if candidates qualify for the next phase of the selection process.

Qualifications Appraisal Panel (QAP)
(Weighted 100%) Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job.
 
Based on OCERS' needs and the number of applications received, the selection procedures listed above may be modified and all affected candidates will be notified.

 

HOW TO APPLY
Only online applications with the completed supplemental questions will be accepted.

E-mail is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct e-mail address is on your application and only use one e-mail account.
 
Your application should highlight all areas in which you have developed expertise, matching your professional experience with the specific qualifications listed above.
 
You may apply online at the OCERS website: https://www.ocers.org/careers-ocers.
 
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sarah Abrahamson at (714) 569-4818 or email sabrahamson@ocers.org.
 
Do not submit a resume to this email address as they will not be considered in lieu of the required application process.