Survivor Benefits Specialist

Under general administrative direction, perform a variety of responsible technical and administrative staff work in support of Survivor Benefits functions of the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA); provides responsible administrative assistance to the Survivor Benefits Manager; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry-level specialist role within SBCERA’s Survivor Benefits series. Reporting to the Survivor Benefits Manager, the incumbent manages casework and administrative responsibilities, contributing to process refinement. The position builds expertise necessary for advancement to supervisory roles within the unit.

SBCERA CORE VALUES IN ACTION

Every employee is expected to model SBCERA’s core values by acting with integrity, embracing accountability, collaborating across teams, and striving for professional excellence in service to our 50,000+ members and beneficiaries.

Duties include but are not limited to:

1. Interview beneficiaries and advise of legal and regulatory provisions affecting their eligibility and ongoing obligations for survivor benefits; 
2. Ensure pre-retirement and post-retirement survivor benefit eligibility and process all documents necessary for benefit payment in accordance with a variety of benefit laws, rules and regulations.
3. Communicate with reciprocal agencies to coordinate survivor benefits for an eligible beneficiary.
4. Coordinate applicable benefit payment activities with the Fiscal Services and Legal Services Departments.
5. Process and verify periodic and lump-sum payroll, including tax withholding, deductions, separate maintenance and/or child support withholding, garnishments and any other actions required to produce lump-sum or periodic payroll.
6. Utilize the pension administration software system and other systems for member information needed to calculate survivor benefits, qualify beneficiaries and/or research survivor benefits and other related services as needed, or as directed. 
7. Assist with the completion of special projects such as data cleanup, and other activities of SBCERA.
8. Return beneficiary phone calls and assist in providing information.
9. Write, edit, produce and disseminate correspondence, benefit estimates, and other written materials.
10. Prepare documents for subpoena submissions.
11. Review durable power of attorney, member estate questionnaires and trust/wills  for accuracy and completeness and notify the member of receipt.
12. Maintain retirement records, logs and statistics; prepare reports as requested; accurately input and/or verify member data into record-keeping systems.
13. As directed, act in the absence of the immediate supervisor; provides vacation, temporary, and other relief as required.
14. Perform related duties as assigned. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function above. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
  
Knowledge of:

1. SBCERA’s mission, strategic pillars, and core values of Integrity, Accountability & Transparency, Commitment, Effectiveness, Professional Excellence, and Collaboration. 
2. Basic principles, practices and techniques of benefits administration.
3. Applicable state and federal legislation and codes.
4. Basic principles and methods of administrative research, analysis, and report preparation.
5. English language usage necessary to compose correspondence and administrative reports.

1. Apply SBCERA’s core values of Integrity, Accountability & Transparency, Commitment, Effectiveness, Professional Excellence, and Collaboration to their daily work assignments. 
2. Think critically to assess  benefit eligibility scenarios.
3. Leverage pension benefit systems and databases for accurate calculations.
4. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing while delivering guidance empathetically.
5. Manage confidential, emotionally sensitive cases with professionalism.
6. Collaborate effectively with internal teams and external organizations.

1. Model SBCERA’s core values of Integrity, Accountability & Transparency, Commitment, Effectiveness, Professional Excellence, and Collaboration. 
2. Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
3. Perform a variety of administrative duties with general supervision, after training period.
4. Select appropriate methods of data analysis and reporting and make arithmetic and statistical calculations accurately.
5. Handle sensitive and emotional situations with empathy, appropriate firmness and good judgment.
6. Maintain a professional demeanor in difficult situations; which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact and diplomacy.
7. Understand and follow posted work rules and procedures.
8. Demonstrate consistent and reliable attendance required to meet established deadlines.
9. Accept constructive criticism.
10. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Education:  A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral Science, Human Resources Management, Organizational Psychology, or a closely related field.
• Experience:  Two (2) years of responsible experience in a retirement, insurance, or government benefit program, or in a personnel system which involves retirement benefit experience, or related environment. Additional years of experience as described above may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• License/Certificate: A valid and appropriate California driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required.

Applications must include a resume and cover letter.  The information you provide will be used to verify and evaluate your job qualifications. Failure to submit the required materials and/or to provide information that clearly demonstrates possession of the above job qualifications will result in disqualification.

There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on a review of all application materials submitted. Applicants must clearly describe their experience in the areas designated. Those who demonstrate exceptional qualifications in the competitive evaluation will be invited to continue in the selection process which may include written and/or performance examinations, oral interviews and/or other related evaluation methods. 

Prior to employment, the prospective candidate must successfully complete a thorough background review, including being fingerprinted, as well as a medical examination, which will include a drug/alcohol screening. The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature, date, surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.

This position is "at will" and serves at the pleasure of the Chief Executive Officer.

Hybrid/Telework and Flexible Work Schedule:This position may be eligible for a hybrid working schedule with 3 days in the office and 2 days working remotely.