Manages assigned staff in the day-to-day operations of the Pension and Benefits Department, including the administration of group health and welfare benefits programs, unemployment insurance, open enrollment, retirement benefits, and payroll and personnel issues affecting the pension and benefits area; ensures staff is properly trained in all aspects of defined pension rules and regulations so that employees can make informed decisions when determining retirement selections.

• Plans, directs, manages, and coordinates the day-to-day work activities of assigned employees and staff on pension and benefits projects and programs, including processing retirement applications, enrolling employees in health benefits, assisting employees and retirees with insurance and pension questions/ issues, transmitting eligibility data to health plan vendors, overseeing the open enrollment process, and administering the deferred compensation programs, i.e., 401K and 457

• Evaluates, reviews, verifies, and approves retirement benefit packages; evaluates, reviews, and verifies retirement calculations

• Confirms accuracy of payments to union trust/pension funds and premium payments to insurance carriers

• Assists with negotiation of rates and services with benefits providers

• Assists Employee Relations with labor/management agreements by preparing analyses in support of negotiations and other administrative issues related to health benefits and pension benefits

• Develops performance objectives for pension and benefits programs

• Interprets and applies provisions of the collective bargaining agreements relative to health benefit eligibility

• Analyzes health benefit trends and practices related to Metro-sponsored plans

• Compiles and analyzes census data and prepares ad hoc reports

• Supports preparation of goals, objectives, and budget for Pension and Benefits non-departmental and administrative cost center

• Coordinates activities of Pension Plan Counsel, actuaries, and benefits consultants

• Develops and directs the training of Metro staff in the implementation of pension and benefits policies and practices

• Supports annual preparation and audit of Metro′s Pension Plans′ financial statements

• Analyzes benefits and recommends changes to the pension and benefits programs to maintain objectives and competitive position in the marketplace

• Prepares Board reports and other correspondence

• Performs special projects as required

• Accounts for assigned staff and personal compliance with all of Metro′s safety rules, polices, and procedures

• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

May be required to perform other related job duties

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices of pension, benefits, health, and welfare plans

• Applicable provisions of local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and labor/management agreements that pertain to various health, welfare, pension, and benefits plans and programs

• Principles of supervision

• Applicable business software applications

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Interpreting and applying pertinent laws, rules, and regulations of pension and benefits administration

• Coordinating daily work activities of assigned staff

• Compiling and analyzing complex data

• Handling highly confidential information

• Determining strategies to achieve goals

• Developing performance objectives

• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes

• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing

• Preparing comprehensive reports and correspondence

• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees, former employees, and outside representatives

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Supervise subordinate staff

• Establish and adjust priorities

• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements

• Read, write, speak, and understand English

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 two-for-one year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field

Experience

• Six years of relevant experience or three years of relevant supervisory-level experience in the area of benefits administration, to include experience in health and welfare benefits administration in a public agency; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment

Certifications/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 functions

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 situation

• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table

• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium

• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions

• Communicating through speech in the English language required