Account Validation Benefit Specialist (Treasury/Retirement)

Department

Office of the General Treasurer

Division

Accounting/Finance

Salary

$73,210.00 - $82,203.00

Job Profile

JC-00404101-21 - Account Validation Benefit Specialist (Treasury/Retirement) (Council 94 Local 2884 RISCA, DBR, DCYF, DEM, OC and A, DOR, TRS)

Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours

Mon - Fri; 8:30am - 4:00pm

Job Requisition Number

JR104199 Account Validation Benefit Specialist (Treasury/Retirement) (Open)

Pay Grade

U00326 A

Classification

Account Validation Benefit Specialist (Treasury/Retirement)

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Performs professional member‑services and pension administration work by validating member account data; conducting benefit compliance outreach; generating and analyzing data reports; supporting accurate and timely benefit calculations; and evaluating and processing service credit requests. Communicates with participating employers and stakeholders to resolve data discrepancies and obtain required information. Identifies opportunities for process improvements and performs related administrative duties as required.

To professionally, courteously and respectfully treat all contacts with customers of the General Treasurer's Office including the public, other government agencies, the business community, fellow employees and any other customers, both in person and when answering incoming calls, emails, letters and any other form of contact, and to project a customer-friendly attitude committed to provide high-quality customer service.

To perform duties as directed to support the operations of the General Treasurer's Office during times of increased departmental workloads, including but not limited to working on a temporary basis (not to exceed 3 months, which may be extended by mutual agreement) in the Crime Victim Compensation Program, General Administration, Business Processing, Employees' Retirement, Unclaimed Property and/or the Investment Division. Designated managers within each division will review work for conformance to established procedures and regulations. Employees will not be disciplined for their inability to meet job requirements which are specific to a position to which they are temporarily transferred. Experience, including working in other departments, may be considered as a factor in selecting employees for promotions and/or transfers to new positions.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

• Performs Account Validations and ensures accuracy of member account data. Such validations may include (but are not limited to) calculations for pension payments, service credit purchases, estimated benefit payments, death and survivor benefits including refunds, QDROs, disability benefits, benefit adjustments, and member account maintenance.
• Conducts Benefit Compliance outreach, analyzes data, and maintain accurate recordkeeping for all plans including, but not limited to Teachers' Survivor Benefits; West Warwick Legacy and Central Falls Police & Fire Legacy, Police & Fire Spousal Annuities, Disability Annual Statements, and Mandated Benefit Distributions.
• Evaluates incoming Service Credit Purchase requests to determine eligibility, respond to member questions, calculate cost, process invoices, conduct correspondence, and maintain database log.
• Generates and prepares reports and/or from the Pension Administration Software System and other data systems.
• Queries and interprets data, analyze results, and provide ongoing management reports to ensure data quality.
• Communicates with participating employers to resolve any potential discrepancies in member data posted to the retirement system database.
• Communicates with all State, school, and municipal personnel/payroll offices regarding salary certification, service credit information, and other information needed for accurate processing.
• Supports the processing of accurate and timely calculations related to pension benefits in the Pension Administration Software System. These may include calculations for pensions, accidental and ordinary disability benefits, estimates, death and survivor benefits, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO's), and benefit recalculations or adjustments.
• Processes manual calculations as requested by the Director of Member Services.
• Partners with team members to identify process improvement opportunities and refine procedures for greater accuracy and efficiency.
• Provides general administrative support and completes related office tasks as needed to ensure efficient operations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the Director of Retirement Business Systems

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

• Must be detail-oriented and possess excellent quantitative and analytical abilities.
• Must have a working knowledge of the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island and have the ability to communicate such knowledge in a concise and understanding manner.
• Must have demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word and solid working knowledge of other Microsoft Office applications.
• Must have experience in extracting, analyzing, validating, and summarizing data from multiple sources.
• Must have strong communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external partners, including members and employers.
• Must be a self-starter and be able to work independently within a team environment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Must have reliable personal transportation to attend occasional offsite retirement outreach and seminar events.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Degree from a 4-year college with a concentration in computer science, accounting, business administration, or related field preferred.

Experience in a retirement system operation involving benefit and/or data analysis strongly preferred.

Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

If an applicant is unable to perform any essential job function because of his/her disability but can achieve the required results by means of REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, then the individual shall not be considered unqualified for the position. Demonstration of skills will be required. Job Description available

Supplemental Information

No Job Profile Summary available

Benefits

For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.

Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.