STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Retirement And Benefits Officer

Recruitment #201116-4732AR-001

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), is an agency whose mission is to provide accounting and financial services, to administer employee and retiree benefits, to develop accounting policy and exercise accounting oversight, and to prepare financial reports for the state, federal and municipal governments and the public. 

We are recruiting for one (1) Retirement and Benefits Officer in the OSC Healthcare Policy and Benefit Services Division.  The Healthcare Policy and Benefits Division administers state employee and retiree health insurance and other benefits, including the state's defined contribution plans.  This division is responsible for the procurement, administration and evaluation of all benefit programs for state employees and retirees.  The division administers the Connecticut Partnership Plan, a program that offers employee health benefit plans to non-state public employers.  The division is also responsible for the administration of the Health Enhancement Program (HEP), which is designed to encourage preventive care and better maintain chronic conditions - with the ultimate goal of reducing more costly emergency care. 

This Retirement and Benefits Officer position will be responsible for:

  • Monitoring all division healthcare accounts with a primary focus on daily tracking for the CT Partnership program
  • Reviewing and Auditing all transactions relating to Partnership premium equivalent deposits and claim payments
  • Monitoring healthcare vendor payments and ensuring timely processing and reconciliation
  • Reviewing quarterly reports prepared for Partnership groups
  • Maintaining a daily running balance of each healthcare FAD Account
  • Preparing budget report(s) for monthly financial review
  • Creating ad-hoc financial reports
  • Performing other duties as assigned.

The Office of the State Comptroller is located in the newly renovated, State Office Building at 165 Capitol Avenue.  This state of the art building offers an on-site cafeteria, free garage parking, and ergonomic workspaces.  The OSC offers an excellent salary and offers a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan, as well as, paid time off! 

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has permanent state status* and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

NOTE:  State employees currently holding the above title or those who have previously attained permanent status in the class may apply for a lateral transfer. 

All applicants must include a resume within the “Resume Tab” of their application. At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, attendance records, responses to referral questions etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. 

In addition, this posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. 

Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  Ginger Frasca, ginger.frasca@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of the State Comptroller, Retirement Services Division and Healthcare Policy and Benefit Services Division and in the Teachers' Retirement Board Benefits Division, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in public employee retirement and benefit administration.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs a variety of financial and administrative functions in field of retirement and benefits management; works on special projects as required; conducts or participates in examination of employee records; researches and analyzes employees retirement records and prepares individualized estimates of entitlement in accordance with retirement laws, collective bargaining and/or court actions relative to State Employees Retirement Systems; utilizes various databases for reports and analysis; examines and reconciles employment records with supporting data such as payroll records, calendars, etc.; responds to inquiries from a wide variety of individuals regarding all aspects of retirement plans and/or employee benefit plans; conducts training seminars and develops training materials and manuals on state and municipal retirement systems and/or employee benefit plans; researches impact of legislation, regulations and collective bargaining provisions on retirement system; examines retirement calculations and procedures to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and state or federal requirements; prepares unit reports; interprets and applies relevant Connecticut General Statutes and federal regulations pertaining to retirement and/or employee benefits; analyzes and prepares benefit, accounting, financial and administrative statements; acts as a liaison with agency human resources employees with respect to difficult retirements; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of and ability to apply relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of principles and practices of public employee retirement and benefit administration; knowledge of human resources and payroll practices and procedures; knowledge of basic examining and researching principles and practices; knowledge of governmental accounting as applied to retirement and benefit administration; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to prepare, analyze and evaluate employee benefits statements, other employee records and reports, and benefit claims and cost data; ability to utilize various databases systems for retirement and benefits management; ability to read and interpret written materials; ability to lead other employees; ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in employee benefit and/or retirement administration.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at the paraprofessional level in the fields of accounts examining, human resources, payroll or related administrative function.

Note: For State Employees the Special Experience is interpreted at the level of Associate Retirement Examiner, Payroll System Coordinator, Payroll Officer 1, Assistant Accountant, Human Resources Assistant or Fiscal/Administrative Assistant.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
2. A Master’s degree in business administration, accounting or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants with the following experiencing/training:

  • Experience running SQL queries and proficiency in the Core-CT Financials Module
  • Excellent time management and independent judgement skills
  • Experience with process improvement from initial analysis through implementation
  • Experience with reconciliation of complex transactions involving multiple workstreams
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Knowledge of governmental accounting/auditing:  including accounts payable practices, procurement standards, property control, procedures, laws and guidelines
  • Strong skills in Microsoft Software:  Access, Excel, Word and Powerpoint
  • Ability to work effectively, both in an office environment and remotely

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.  If you are requesting special accommodations under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) please contact Bonnie Schlechtweg at 860.702.3323 or Bonnie.Schlechtweg@ct.gov.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES AND THOSE RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE INDICATED ABOVE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.