Introduction
The
Maryland State Retirement Agency is the administrator of the Maryland State
Retirement and Pension System (“System”). The System is a defined benefit
retirement system covering governmental employees within the State of Maryland.
The System is composed of twelve (12) separate retirement and pension systems
with over 50 different rule sets. The
System has over 397,000 participants (customers), including 192,000 members who
are actively employed and participating in the System, 165,000 payees who
receive a monthly payment from the System, and 40,000 vested members who are no
longer actively employed but have earned a benefit that will become payable at
a future date.
GRADE
21
LOCATION OF POSITION
Maryland State Retirement Agency
120 East Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Main Purpose of Job
The main purpose of this job is to support the Director of Data Control by providing leadership and management to all teams within the Data Control Unit of the Maryland State Retirement Agency. The Data Control Unit is responsible for several critical processes and functions related to the Agency’s ability to collect and maintain accurate data for approximately 190,000 active members of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (MSRPS) and to pay timely and accurate monthly benefits to approximately 170,000 retirees and beneficiaries. The unit is staffed by 30 employees and performs it functions through five teams: Employer Payroll Collection and Processing, Employer Reporting Audits and Adjustments, Enrollments, Purchases and Military Service Maintenance, and Retirement File Maintenance.
This is a Management Service position, and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.
POSITION DUTIES
The Employer Payroll Collection and Processing team receives payroll files from the State as well
as employers who participate in the MSRPS. These payroll files are designed to provide the
information needed to administer the pension benefits being earned by the 190,000 active
members as they work. Payroll files are generally received on a bi-weekly basis from over 160
employers with a total of almost 5,000,000 individual transactions being updated each year. This
team also maintains the Annuity Savings Fund which is the account that holds the over $10 billion
in contributions that members have paid in the MSRPS to help fund their pension benefits.
The Employer Reporting Audits and Adjustments team is responsible for maintaining that service
credit on member accounts is correct and accurate. This team performs service credit “audits”
when issues are discovered on member accounts, processes payroll data corrections from
employers after initial payroll files have been processed, and responds to member requests to
transfer service between pension systems within the MSRPS.
The Enrollments team is responsible for enrolling new members into the MSRPS via membership
applications and the collection and processing of other documents that allow a new member to be
correctly enrolled. This team also handles elections of eligible employees into the Optional
Retirement Program.
The Purchases and Military Service Maintenance team processes member requests to purchases
eligible service to add to the service credit balances in their record. This team also handles transfer
of service credit between actuarily based pension system. In addition, they determine if members
are eligible for additional service credit in their records based upon eligible military service.
The Retirement File Maintenance team performs one of the most important functions of the Agency
– paying monthly benefits to the MSRPS’ 170,000 retirees and beneficiaries. These payments
occur monthly for approximately $297 million ($3.5 billion each year). This team is also responsible
for deductions for federal taxes, Maryland state taxes, and retiree health care premiums.
This unit is also responsible for annually creating and testing personal statement of benefits and
testing and producing the 1099-R tax forms.
The goals of this Unit are:
1. Maintain accurate and complete information.
2. Meet all of the deadlines associated with the weekly, monthly, and yearly processing schedules.
3. Provide timely and efficient processing of all customer (internal and external) inquiries.
The Program Manager III position is a senior position within the unit and will report to the Director
of the unit. This position will support the Director in all facets of operations of the unit. There are
two manager positions and six supervisory positions that report directly or indirectly to this position.
The Program Manager III must possess outstanding account reconciliation skills, excellent problem solving and critical
thinking skills, and have a passion for leading people to achieve goals under deadlines. The Program Manager III
provides “hands on” leadership in the unit and will be required and expected to “roll up their sleeves” and help staff get
the work done on time. Strong communications (verbal and written) skills are an absolute necessity. Strong leadership
and supervisory skills are also a requirement as this position helps hire, train, coach, mentor, and discipline staff.
The Data Control Unit is a fast paced and sometimes stressful environment. The Program Manager
III must thrive in this environment, demonstrate a positive, “can do” attitude to staff, and hold
themselves to the strictest ethical standards.
Individuals who thrive in a fast paced environment and get satisfaction out of making sure that the
numbers are reconciled to the penny and making significant contributions to the success of teams
and employees will find this position challenging and rewarding.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, management or
related business concentration.
Experience: Five years of supervisory experience and three years of experience handling customer
service communications with internal and/or external customers.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on
your application to show that you meet the minimum 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 placed on the employment (eligible) list for
at least one year. This list will be used by the hiring agency to select
employees.
For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the
equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation
service must accompany the application.
Due to the confidential nature of the work, selected
candidates must undergo and pass a background check.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The evaluation will consist of a rating of your education,
training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to
the requirements of the position. Therefore, 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.
BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The online application process is STRONGLY preferred.
If online access is not available, you may mail a paper application and
supplemental questionnaire (if applicable) to:
DBM Recruitment & Examination Department
301 West Preston Street, Room 608
Baltimore, MD 21201
All mailed documents must include the applicant's name and
the job number and must be received by the closing date. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of
completing the application.
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.
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to
recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the
State’s diversity. People with
disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
We thank our Veterans for their service to our country
and encourage them to apply.