LEAD PENSION SPECIALIST

Under the direction of the Retirement Plan Manager, the Lead Pension Specialist provides supervision and coordination of the Employes' Retirement System (ERS) daily pension activities in the Member Services area. The incumbent in this title oversees the work of three staff members to ensure that membership services are provided in a courteous, efficient, timely, and accurate manner.

Membership Services

• Counsel ERS members and provide exceptional customer service regarding a variety of member services such as benefit eligibility and coverage per Chapter 36 of the City Charter, Annuity and Pension Board (APB) Rules and Regulations, and legal opinions; provide pension information to members or beneficiaries using personal contacts via mail, email, or telephone.
• Oversee retirement documentation processing, refund applications, estimates, death benefits, and optional service credit requests (e.g., prior military service or prior State service).
• Maintain and audit appropriate member records.
• Remain apprised regarding all changes to local, state, and federal legislation that affects the ERS in order to ensure accuracy of information provided to members.
• Recommend procedural changes to improve benefit process efficiency.

Supervision

• Assist in the hiring process and lead, supervise, and coordinate the daily responsibilities and the workload of three Pension Specialists and one Enrollment Specialist.
• Work with staff members to develop ongoing process improvements that streamline functions related to all facets of pension benefits administration.
• Design and recommend organizational changes as needed to enhance operational efficiencies.
• Coordinate ongoing training of the Pension Specialists and Enrollment Specialist to ensure that staff is updated on all changes to local, state, and federal legislation that affects the ERS.

Administrative Research and Pension Program Outreach

• Prepare written communication materials, including brochures, newsletters, and training seminar announcements in order to educate members on their ERS benefits.
• Conduct pre-retirement workshops and seminars and provide New Employee Orientation (NEO) sessions.
• Prepare reports for management, the ERS Board, and other staff such as membership activity statistics and retirement sign-ups.
• Conduct research and regularly review Chapter 36 of the City Charter, APB Rules and Regulations, and legal opinions to ensure accurate knowledge of ERS benefits in order to answer inquiries from ERS members, City departments, City agencies, and other public government entities.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Please be advised that new employees are required to have received either both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine prior to their employment start date or have an approved religious or medical accommodation prior to their employment start date. You can find further information relative to the City’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy here.

1. Regular status as a City of Milwaukee employee, having successfully completed a probationary period for a civil service position, or status as a City of Milwaukee employee in a fixed term position.
2. Bachelor’s Degree in human resources, human services, public administration, business, communications, or an associated field of study from an accredited college or university.
3. Four years of full-time, professional-level experience performing benefits program interface with employees, maintaining related records, and developing and distributing program-related materials, including one year of job-related lead worker or supervisory experience.
4. The ability to travel independently throughout the City of Milwaukee to conduct retirement workshops for City employees by public transportation, walking, bicycling, or driving.

Equivalent combinations of education and professional experience will be considered however, one year of job-related lead worker or supervisory experience may not be substituted with education.

NOTE: Pease do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Public sector pension plan experience.

Technical

• Ability to accurately administer pension benefits programs, including reporting, enrollment and tracking of data.
• Ability to comprehend and acquire a strong working knowledge of Chapter 36 of the City Charter, Annuity and Pension Board Rules and Regulations, and legal opinions.
• Ability to proficiently use related computer software programs, including Microsoft Word and Excel, Oracle’s PeopleSoft, and vendor reporting systems.
• Ability to learn and use an in-house pension management system.
• Skill in proofreading documents for accuracy and for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Knowledge of mathematics and the ability to accurately make and verify calculations.

Supervision

• Supervisory and training skills including the ability to assign duties, set performance standards, provide guidance and training, monitor work in progress, evaluate performance, and make hiring recommendations.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.

Communication, Interpersonal, and Customer Service

• Ability to prepare accurate and effective written communications, including letters, reports, and program materials.
• Excellent customer service skills, including the ability to be responsive and sensitive to the needs of employees and of the public.
• Ability to listen well and to communicate effectively both in person and over the telephone.
• Ability to verbally communicate complex issues to a wide audience.
• Ability to cope with individuals who are under stress or experiencing challenging situations.
• Ability to understand and appropriately provide services in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Ability to work cooperatively with team members and serve as back-up on critical job functions shared among a small work team.
• Ability to work effectively and positively with coworkers and City employees from all cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds to accomplish departmental goals.

Judgment, Accuracy, and Problem-Solving

• Ability to problem-solve, apply critical thinking, and troubleshoot issues.
• Skill in continuous improvement with regard to benefits processes and procedures.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and follow through on assignments to completion.
• Ability to handle confidential employee information with discretion and good judgment while remaining in compliance with departmental standards.
• Ability to perform work with a high degree of accuracy and detail.
• Ability to work in a time-sensitive environment, managing multiple tasks that are deadline-driven.
• Ability to take on and complete new or special projects as needed.
• Ability to remain professional at all times.

The current salary range (Pay Range 1GX) is $76,030-$96,768 annually, and resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $78,311-$99,670. Appointment will be made in accordance with the City of Milwaukee salary ordinance.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of related education, experience and accomplishments, an evaluation of written communication, interviews, and/or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations and the Employes’ Retirement System reserve the right to call only the most qualified candidates to proceed in the selection process. Information from the selection process will be used to make a hiring decision. Selected candidates will be transferred and/or promoted to the position.

INITIAL FILING DATE – The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the selection process at the time and place designated by the hiring authority.

APPLICATIONS and further information can be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.

• Applications should be submitted no later than the deadline listed above.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO 102

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.