Job Information
City of Lakeland Pension Benefits Specialist in Lakeland, Florida
Pension Benefits Specialist
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Pension Benefits Specialist
Salary
$70,618.86 - $105,928.29 Annually
Location
Lakeland, FL
Job Type
Full Time Regular
Job Number
2245-03
Department
Retirement Services
Division
Retirement Services 0102000000
Opening Date
05/24/2024
Closing Date
Continuous
FLSA
Exempt
Bargaining Unit
NA
Description
Benefits
Questions
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
This is responsible supervisory work in the management of the Lakeland Retirement system. Work involves providing direction and participating in activities required to maintain the City of Lakeland Retirement System. Work includes securing interpretations of various federal, state, and local legislation, as well as rules, regulations, policies, and procedures established by the City administration and promulgating rules and procedures from the Pension Board. Work is performed with considerable independence and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and evaluation of results obtained.
Please note this posting is "Continuous" and can close at ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Assists the Director in all facets of the administration of the Employees' Pension Plan, Defined Contribution Plan, Police Officers' Pension Plan, Firefighters' Pension Plan, Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), the Deferred Compensation Plan, and FICA substitution plan.
Assists the Director in planning and directing all facets of the retirement system.
Supervises employees engaged in the administration and maintenance of retirement programs in a manner conducive to high performance and positive morale.
Trains new employees in the Retirement Services Department.
Assists in developing operational goals and guidelines for the pension systems policies/procedures, including pre-retirement counseling, retirement benefit calculation, plans compliance, and records maintenance.
Develops and modifies policies and programs utilizing knowledge of best practices.
Stays current and reviews new and changing legislation affecting retirement benefits to ensure legal compliance with Lakeland retirement plans.
Reviews data concerning best practices among similarly situated municipalities and counties to evaluate the competitiveness of Lakeland retirement programs and formulates recommendations to the Retirement Director.
Manages the implementation of approved new plans and plan modifications by overseeing the preparation of announcement material, booklets, and other media for communicating new plans to employees.
Conducts employee meetings and arranges for enrollment of employees in optional plans.
Conducts employee benefit seminars for local personnel.
Revises and reissues all communications material on benefits from time to time.
Coordinates all Board of Trustee meetings, which includes preparation of meeting agendas, distribution of documents to meeting participants, and preparation and distribution of meeting minutes.
Assists the Director in preparing material for collective bargaining sessions.
Assists the Director in negotiating contracts with outside providers and be responsible for maintaining system contracts files for investment management, performance monitors, legal, actuarial, and custodial services.
Assists with the annual City of Lakeland Retiree audit process and the annual retiree population audit.
Coordinates and directs activities with actuaries, auditors, and legal representatives to prepare state-mandated annual reports of the various pension plans sponsored by the City.
Maintains ongoing updates to the System's operational requirements, web pages relating to City of Lakeland retirement, and materials presented to employees in orientation or workshops.
Receives state reports and correspondence from the retirement division related to the General Employee Plan members.
Maintains all Access databases, Excel Spreadsheets, and serves as the technical upgrade liaison for the System.
May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
Position designated as Mission Critical
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:
- Performs related work as required.
QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)
Bachelor's degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in Human Resources, Business or Public Administration, or a related field.
Five (5) years of experience in developing and administrating pension-related programs such as defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, deferred compensation plans, and retirement health savings plans.
Two (2) years of experience in benefits administration and/or payroll.
One (1) year of supervisory experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Must be able to attain CPPT certification through the Florida Public Pension Trustees Association within two (2) years of employment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
Considerable knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of retirement system structure and management.
Considerable knowledge of various employee benefit programs and operational knowledge of actuarial principles, social security, and tax laws.
Considerable knowledge of public personnel management and local government organization and procedures.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, City ordinances, and other applicable regulations, standards, and requirements, as well as court and regulatory body decisions governing or related to pension system management, including Florida Statutes Chapters 112, 175, and 185.
Thorough knowledge of investment principles, practices, and terminology.
Ability to plan, organize, develop, and effectively administer programs and related activities to establish and enforce federal, state, and City statutes, ordinances, and regulations.
Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in developing, implementing, and maintaining the City of Lakeland Retirement System.
Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs, including the ability to interpret benefit contract language. Ability to understand, evaluate, and make judgments on proposals.
Skill in utilizing various computer applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Peoplesoft.
Skill in preparing written reports, research and survey data, and oral communications.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, employees, retirees, and the general public.
Ability to direct and supervise subordinate staff in a manner conducive to high performance and positive morale.
Ability to speak and make presentations to groups of various sizes.
Ability to conduct department activities with competence, initiative, and professionalism.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard operations.
The job risks exposure to no significant environmental hazards.
The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.
All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including “junk” folders. Test times and locations to be announced.
THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
City of Lakeland
2024 Summary Sheet
Annual Leave
Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:
Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*
Sick Leave
Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.
*NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.
Sick Leave Pool
Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.
For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768
Family & Medical Leave
Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.
For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.
Pension Plan
Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.
Defined Benefit Plan:
Plan C Employee 3.12%
Employer 15.64%
OR
Defined Contribution Plan:
Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits
Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire
Employer 15.39%
Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:
A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.
Maximum contribution for 2024 is $23,000; employees aged 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $7,500. Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.
Holidays
Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.
Funeral Leave
Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.
Jury/Witness Duty
Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.
Military Leave
Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).
Maternity Leave
Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.
Leave of Absence Without Pay
Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.
Longevity Pay
Tuition Reimbursement
Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.
For more information, contact Sue Cook at 834-6844.
Suggestion Awards
A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.
For additional information, contact Kathy McNelis at 834-6348.
Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)
An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.
Uniforms/Equipment
Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.
Parking
Free while at work.
Break Periods
Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.
For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.
For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services Department at 834-8765 or 834-8797.
For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.
01
Do you possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in Human Resources, Business or Public Administration, or a related field?
Yes
No
02
Please indicate your field of study.
03
Do you possess five (5) years of experience in developing and administrating pension-related programs such as defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, deferred compensation plans, and retirement health savings plans?
Yes
No
04
Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include specific job title(s), job duties, organization(s) and the dates where the work was performed. Note: The employers and dates of employment you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.
05
Do you possess two (2) years of experience in benefits administration and/or payroll?
06
Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include specific job title(s), job duties, organization(s) and the dates where the work was performed. Note: The employers and dates of employment you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.
07
Do you possess one (1) year of supervisory experience?
Yes
No
08
Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include specific job title(s), job duties, organization(s) and the dates where the work was performed. Note: The employers and dates of employment you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.
09
By clicking "Yes" below, I understand that all relevant work experience MUST be entered in the "Work Experience" section on my application. In addition, all current City of Lakeland employees must list all previous City of Lakeland work experience in the "Work Experience" section of the application. Failure to complete the "Work Experience" section will disqualify you from the application process.
Yes
No
Required Question
Agency
City of Lakeland, Civil Service
Address
500 N Lake Parker Avenue Lakeland, Florida, 33801
Phone
(863)834-8790
Website
http://www.lakelandgov.net/employmentservices