DIRECTOR, PENSION AND BENEFITS

Plans, directs, and manages the activities of Metro's pension plans and benefits programs to provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance, and serves as the Trust Fund Administrator for the Metropolitan Transit Authority - Amalgamated Transit Union (MTA-ATU) Health and Welfare Fund.Develops strategies, goals, and policies related to providing a comprehensive package of health and welfare benefitsProvides direction on negotiation of annual plan rate renewals and services of all plansDirects administration of benefit plans for non-contract, AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees), Teamster, and ATU employees and retireesServes as Pension Administrator for the agency's self-administered defined benefit plansDirects administration of the deferred compensation programs, such as 401K, 457, and Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA)Provides recommendations and support to respective Pension Plan Administrative Committees, Deferred Compensation Committee, and the MTA-ATU Health and Welfare Board; advises senior management and prepares reports/presentations for Metro's Board of Directors as required for approval of annual health and welfare plan renewals and other projects, as requiredDirects Pension and Benefits staff in day-to-day activities, projects, and programs, which include establishing eligibility and enrollment criteria in applicable pension plans, providing retirement counseling, reviewing and processing retirement applications, processing disbursement of pension benefits, educating employees about health benefits, assisting employees with enrollment, acting as a liaison and advocate for employees and retirees with insurance coverage, analyzing eligibility, transmitting data to health plan vendors and union Health and Welfare Trusts Funds, overseeing the annual open enrollment process, and developing employee communicationsInterprets and applies complex regulatory provisions related to pension and benefit plans; ensures and maintains regulatory compliance of pension and benefit plansParticipates in the annual actuarial valuation of various retirement income plans; provides data and responses to the plans' actuariesDirects the bi-annual audits of monthly pension recipients and disability pension recipients; directs the annual audit of Medicare Part B recipientsProvides direction to staff assigned to the Unemployment Insurance Program and represents Metro at hearings before Administrative Law Judges and the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals BoardDevelops and manages departmental budget and non-departmental fringe benefit budgetsApproves all payments made from the retirement income plansInterprets and applies provisions of the collective bargaining agreements; provides recommendations and support to Employee and Labor Relations as a subject matter expert regarding pension and benefits articles in collective bargaining agreementsDevelops, tests, and implements enhancements to computer systems in conjunction with Information Technology Systems (ITS) personnelDirects development of educational programs related to financial planning, retirement, and employee benefitsEstablishes and implements policies and procedures governing Pension and Benefits functionsGuides and directs staff with a focus on customer service and consistent application of policies and proceduresManages the procurement and ongoing activity of multiple consulting and administrative contracts, performs contract selection, and directs consultant and vendor projects/activitiesConsults with and advises outside attorneys and other legal representatives on pension joinders and division of benefits; provides pre-approval before documents are filed with the courtsRepresents department at meetings, conferences, and public eventsConducts special studies, as requiredSupervises, trains, mentors, motivates, and sets goals for assigned staffCommunicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employeesContributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried outMay be required to perform other related job duties.A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:Education:Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related fieldExperience:Five years of relevant management-level experience administering pension and benefits programs; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignmentCertifications/Licenses/Special Requirements: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 functionsKnowledge of:Theories, principles, and practices of pension, benefits, and unemployment insurance benefits administrationBudget, contracts, and related policies and practicesBudget preparation and variance analysisApplicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing pension and benefits administration for a public sector agencyModern management theory and principlesSkill in:Directing operations of large-scale and complex pension and benefits plans and programsCompiling, analyzing, and interpreting complex dataHandling highly sensitive and confidential informationDeveloping and implementing strategies for meeting goals and objectivesEstablishing and implementing policies and proceduresAnalyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomesExercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisionsCommunicating effectively orally and in writingInteracting professionally with various levels of Metro employees, former employees, and outside representativesPreparing comprehensive reports, presentations, and correspondenceSupervising, training, mentoring, and motivating assigned staffAbility to:Disseminate information and resolve issuesThink creatively and act independentlyUnderstand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreementsPlan financial and staffing needsRead, write, speak, and understand EnglishSpecial Conditions:The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Working Conditions:Typical office situationClose exposure to computer monitors and video screensPhysical Effort Required:Sitting at a desk or tableOperate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the mediumType and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functionsCommunicating through speech in the English language required

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