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APERS DIRECTOR OF BENEFITS ADMIN
The Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS) Director of Benefits Administration is responsible for directing and managing functions and activities of the benefits administration division providing services to members and retirees through the communication of available benefit options and processing of retirement applications and monthly retiree payrolls. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency policy.
Class Code:
R003N
Job Grade:
GS13
Special Job Requirements:
Typical Functions:
Manages, directs, plans, coordinates, and organizes retirement operations, programs, and projects. Develops and administers operations plans and policies. Establishes and defines new guidelines and procedures as required. Develops strategic plan and sets goals.
Directs Benefits Administration Division activities responsible for providing information related to available benefit options, i.e., straight life or reduced annuity payments, Partial Annuity Withdrawals (PAW), Deferred Retirement Annuity Option Program (DROP), and disability retirements, purchase of retirement service credit, benefit estimations, retirement application processing, monthly retiree payroll distribution, responses to member and retiree inquiries, review and determination of eligibility for and enrollment of members and new employers and statewide informational seminars.
Directs preparation of Benefits Administration Division budget and monitors status.
Investigates and prepares reports and recommendations for action on highly complex operational issues. Conducts major projects, investigations, studies, and other matters that may be confidential; confers with counsel and assists with the preparation of cases for litigation.
Directs agency staff in the development of performance measures pertaining to accuracy and consistency of information provided to members, program efficacy, and timeliness of work produced.
Organizes and directs compliance activities to ensure consistency and adherence to applicable laws and regulations. Reviews and interprets current, new or pending legislation affecting APERS.
Reviews and determines eligibility for retirement membership of new governmental agencies and individual members. Processes all survivor and death benefits, reviews and verifies annual disability retirement validations and actual actuarial data submissions.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:
Knowledge of state and federal retirement systems plan administration, employee benefits
laws, and processes, and administrative practices and procedures.
Knowledge of retirement systems and actuarial principles and procedures.
Knowledge of APERS organizational and operational structures and agency policies and
procedures.
Knowledge of customer service principles and processes.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/Access/PowerPoint),
Ability to research, interpret and apply state and federal legislation, policies and
procedures.
Ability to plan, lead, motivate, support, supervise and evaluate the work of subordinates.
Ability to identify and resolve complex problems, develop improvements to work processes,
and achieve goals.
Ability to utilize Microsoft Office products.
Ability to communicate via verbal or written methods to varied audiences.
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to identify, address, research and propose solutions to problems or issues.
Minimum Qualifications:
The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in finance, public administration, business administration or a related field; plus six years of progressively more responsible experience in retirement benefit administration or a related field, including three years in a professional managerial capacity.
Required Certificates:
Exempt:
E
