ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER II

Maryland 529 is an independent State Agency responsible for administering two IRC Section 529 College Savings Plans; the Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer Prepaid College Trust and the Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer College Investment Plan.  The Maryland Prepaid College Trust (MPCT) is a “defined benefit” type plan and the Maryland College Investment Plan (MCIP) is a “defined contribution” type plan, both of which are designed to provide ways for families to save for future college expenses and reduce reliance on future student loan debt. In addition, the agency also administers the State’s 529A program through the ABLE Act designed for Americans living with disabilities.  The agency is overseen by an 11 member Board of Directors and the Executive Director. The Benefits Customer Service Representative position will be assisting the Benefits Processing Division and the Customer Service Division by processing Benefits and responding to Account Holder inquiries. This position reports to the Contracts and Benefits Manager.

This position is located in downtown Baltimore and serves at the pleasure of the Maryland 529 Board.  State contractual employment benefits are offered with this position.

All candidates will be subject to a background investigation to include criminal and credit history.

***This position is a contractual position with Maryland 529***

14

Maryland 529

217 E. Redwood Street, Ste. 1350

Baltimore, MD  21202

The primary purpose of this position is to fulfill the agency's mission of enabling account holders to use their Maryland Prepaid College Trust (“MPCT”) accounts. Thousands of benefit requests come through Freshdesk tickets, phone calls, emails or in person inquiries from Account Holders. This position is responsible for the timely and accurate processing of these benefit requests that are submitted to the agency for payments to colleges and reimbursements to account holders and/or beneficiaries. The Customer Service portion of this position assists current and prospective Account Holders of the MPCT. Representatives are responsible for answering and returning phone calls, responding to email inquiries, and creating, assigning, and responding to FreshDesk tickets, among other responsibilities. This position will analyze accounts and provide administrative financial assistance to Account Holders, interpret the terms of Account Holder policies and help them understand processes and procedures for enrolling, paying on accounts, and taking distributions for college expenses. Representatives must be knowledgeable of internal policies, enrollment parameters, and state and federal law as it pertains to Maryland529 while assisting the accounting, administrative and benefits associates with other tasks as needed.

The listed duties are basic responsibilities.  From time to time, there may be additional duties assigned, as needed based, on business needs.

• Evaluates benefits requests for accuracy and completeness and processes requests for benefits, refunds/rollovers, overpayments and recontributions in the recordkeeping system.     
• Complete account maintenance requests that come through Fresh Desk tickets. Account Maintenance requests include additions and changes made to Accounts.             
• Respond, assist and provide timely and accurate information regarding account balances, distribution calculations to existing Account Holder's inquiries via email, phones, voicemail and if needed when Account Holders visit the agency's office.            
• Produce confirmation letters for each distribution request.            
• Serve as back up for other Benefit Specialists.            
• Research and assist with monthly Bank and Banner Reconciliations.            
• Answer incoming phone calls, respond to voice mails and provide education regarding Maryland 529 plans types and enrollment inquiries and requirements.             
• Verify identity of Account Holders and parties listed on the account.             
• Research discrepancies in account balances by examining payments and adjustments for posting errors or unit discrepancies and submitting requests to accounting team for adjustments. 
• Retrieve and reprint duplicate Annual Statements.            
• Assist Account Holders with password resets, and online account access assistance such as login ID changes or initial set-up.            
• Monitor and respond to incoming emails within one business day for two mailboxes, “MPCT” (general inquires and new enrollments) and “Accounts” (existing MPCT account holders).             
• Forward misdirected emails to proper business areas.             
• Prepare report on all newly created accounts each week.            
• Create letters to be mailed to all Account Holders with new accounts, ensuring enrollment information is accurate.             
• Maintain a spreadsheet of prospective enrollees who have requested enrollment kits; verify if requester has an ID in our system currently, and enter information if not found in our accounting system.            
• Verify if the request is for a singular enrollment, or if it should be forwarded to our Marketing department for bulk mailing and possible leads.             
• Ensure appropriate enrollment kits are mailed for the appropriate Maryland529 plan type.    
• Ensure applicable time frames are observed concerning enrollment periods and determine best method for mailing enrollment kit (whether to be mailed through our 3rd party mailing service or directly from our office). 

Education: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Experience: Two years experience in administrative or professional work.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience in administrative staff or professional work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute additional graduate level education at an accredited college or university at the rate of 30 semester credit hours for each year of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work that included regular use of independent judgment and analysis in applying and interpreting complex administrative plans, policies, rules or regulations or analysis of operational programs or procedures with recommendations for improvement on a year-for-year basis for the required education and experience.

Relevant State of Maryland experience in any of the following areas:      

• Reviewing and Processing invoices       
• Providing Customer service      
• Processing outgoing mail       
• Using databases      
• Data Entry      
• Answering incoming calls      
• Responding to emails

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

For immediate consideration, please go to www.JobAps.com/md to submit your application; please be sure to include a resume with your application materials. 

Online application is strongly encouraged; however, if you do not have access to a computer, applications/resumes and supplemental questionnaire can be mailed to:   

Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division,

301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201

Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.