Director of Special Projects

The Maryland State Retirement Agency administers the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (“System”), a defined benefit plan serving 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 431,000 participants (customers), including 208,000 members who are actively employed and participating in the System, 177,885 payees who receive a monthly payment from the System, and 45,000 vested members who are no longer actively employed but have earned a benefit that will become payable at a future date. The agency is seeking to fill a Program Manager IV position which serves as the Director of the Special Projects Unit of the Benefits Administration Division. This position is a Special Appointment and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority. During the probationary period, this position will work 100% at the office of the Maryland State Retirement Agency. After the probationary/training period, and at the discretion of the Retirement Administrator, this position may be eligible to telework 1 day per week.

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120 East Baltimore Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202

This position requires someone with good leadership skills and the ability to motivate staff to produce high quality work in a time-sensitive environment. This leader must have strong organizational skills, excellent attention to detail, advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as good communication and customer service skills. To be successful, the chosen candidate must be motivated, dedicated to producing results (personally and through the team), passionate about leading and developing a team, and committed to providing the best service possible to your teammates and to participants of the System. Reviewing and approving all payments being paid to participants of the System. Reviewing and approving these payments involves understanding the various benefit calculations and various benefit types (retirement benefits, refund of member contributions, and death benefits) and the proper documents required to support the payment(s). Managing the Agency’s Disability process for members, which includes determining eligibility for benefits, processing applications, scheduling Independent Medical Examinations (IME), working with Doctors on the medical board and finalizing the claims. Processing all requests for Direct Deposit Authorization for retirees. Reviewing and validating form data, type of account and proof of account to determine if the request can be completed to update the account on file. Administering the System’s Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) available to members of the State Police Retirement System and the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System. Administering the DROP involves determining eligibility for the program, setting up new accounts in the program, providing annual account balance statements to participants, and paying out account balances when the participants leave the program. Conducting monthly death match audits to identify payees and members who have died during each month. Conducting the death match audits, transferring data files to vendors, receiving data files identifying deceased participants, researching matches that are not exact and determining proper status, and communicating the matches to internal staff for further action. Completing the annual earnings limitation audit to identify retirees who have become re-employed and have exceeded their limitation of re-employment earnings. Completing this audit involves working with employers to obtain wage files, processing the wage files through the Agency’s systems, reviewing identified matches where excess earnings have been identified, taking appropriate actions on affected accounts, and communicating those actions to the retirees. Controlling other Payment Verifications audits throughout the year. Locating and contacting vested members who are owed a monthly benefit from the System and encouraging them to apply for their benefit. Managing high-impact administrative and technical special projects as they arise, based on organizational needs.

Notes: 1. Candidates may substitute 30 college credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to two years of the required experience. 2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work that included the 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 experience.

Preferred Qualifications: At least 1 year of previous experience in the medical or legal fields evaluating workers’ compensation, personal injury claims, insurance, or medical malpractice claims At least 1 year of experience using Microsoft Office products to include Outlook, Word, and Excel

Limited to current employees of the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA)

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.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted 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.