PENSION AND BENEFITS ANALYST (CALPERS PENSION ADMINISTRATION)

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

Performs analytical work in support of the pension and benefits and unemployment insurance administration functions.
The Pension and Benefits Analyst position will perform analytical work in support of the Pension and Benefits department and will provide post recruitment employee services specifically related to interpretation of CalPERS guidelines and requirements to ensure accurate and timely processing and administration of CalPERS benefit plans. Other functions within the Pension and Benefit Department could include generating retirement benefit estimates, vested benefits, withdrawals and rollovers, death benefits, pension refunds, and annual group insurance open enrollment se rvices.

Recruitment Timelines: I nterviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of May 5, 2025. These dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.

Examples of Duties

• Participates in the preparation of the design, Request for Proposal (RFP), written communication instruments, and implementation procedures for Metro's Flexible Benefits Program, which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and other insurance programs, and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

• Oversees annual review process for all group insurance plans, plan changes, and changes in providers

• Meets with group plan providers and benefit consultants to coordinate preparation, printing, and distribution of books, certificates, and contracts for all group plans, and to discuss relevant federal and state legislation that may affect group plans

• Prepares and reviews historical data to generate retirement benefit estimates, vested benefits, withdrawals and rollovers, death benefits, pension refunds, and other related information; provides accurate information during personal retirement counseling meetings

• Calculates pension benefits by utilizing the concepts of interpolation and actuarial equivalency to verify accuracy of benefit

• Designs, coordinates, and implements retirement and financial planning seminars for Metro employees

• Assists employees in resolving issues relating to their benefits and/or pension plans

• Maintains active and retiree files, and makes necessary updates as reported

• Administers the Unemployment Insurance Program, including processing claims and attending appeal hearings

• Reviews forms, medical documents, and pension documents for accuracy

• Provides technical information relating to employee benefit plans for labor negotiations, as needed

• Completes benefit surveys from other employers, benefit consulting firms, and healthcare consulting firms

• Ensures timely processing of invoice payments for unemployment Insurance, benefits consultants, and Retirement and Financial Planning Seminars

• Researches and writes responses to inquiries from executive officers, department heads, employees, consultants, brokers, and account executives

• Prepares reports for the Board of Directors, management, and outside agencies

• Performs other major projects as assigned by department leadership

• Acts as Pension and Benefits Supervisor when assigned

• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field

Experience

• One year of relevant experience in the area of benefits administration; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment; experience administering an unemployment insurance program preferred

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.
The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience administering CalPERS pension plans
• Experience interpreting CalPERS rules/requirements for pension eligibility, membership appointments, service credit purchases, payroll reporting/adjustments, and reciprocity
• Experience utilizing a robust HRIS system such as Oracle Advanced Benefits, HCM Cloud, or others
• Experience administering group insurance benefit plans for union/non-union employees

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices of pension and benefits, and unemployment insurance administration
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing pension and benefits administration, and unemployment insurance for a public agency
• Research and report preparation methods
• Mathematical concepts
• Applicable business software applications

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Performing pension, benefits, and unemployment insurance administration work
• Managing and prioritizing multiple tasks or projects from inception to completion
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, and recommending solutions
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making conclusions and recommendations
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Preparing comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Listening to and understanding complex situations
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Compile and analyze complex data
• Handle highly confidential and sensitive information
• Lead staff members providing work direction and guidance, when required
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

(EC)

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program . Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.

Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro location:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

*Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.

*Please refer to the applicable benefit type (Regular or Temporary)*

BENEFITS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES

Benefits cover probationary or regular full-time (working at least 40 hrs/week) employees of Metro.

We offer a range of high-quality medical, dental and vision plan options as well as health care spending accounts for you and your family. Metro will cover a significant portion of your health care premiums.

Medical/Dental/Vision Plan- Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance- PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance- PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance- 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays- 12 days a year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Cesar E Chavez, Juneteenth,Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP)- Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.
Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire date - 5 years20 days
Beginning of 6th - 10th year25 days
Beginning of 11th - 15th year30 days
Beginning of 16th + years35 days

Pension Plan- PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits: Transportation passes for employees and/or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.

BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

Temporary (Contingent) employees are eligible for the following benefits only:

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Public Pension Plan
• 457/401K Plan
• Flex Spending
• Paid Sick Time
• Fare Media
• Rideshare Subsidies
• Metro One Fitness membership

For more information on the Benefits Enrollment for Contingent Employees, please visit LA Metro’s Pension & Benefits website at www.benefits.metro.net .

Closing Date/Time: 5/2/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority - LA Metro

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