Senior Retirement Benefits Specialist

Job Description:

Senior Retirement Benefits Specialist

Description

Position Information

The Sonoma County Employees' Retirement Association (SCERA) is looking for a knowledgeable retirement benefits professional with excellent pension administration skills and a passion for serving the public. Apply today to become a Senior Retirement Benefits Specialist!


Starting salary up to $45.17/hour ($94,275/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits: Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

Join Our Team

The Sonoma County Employees Retirement Association (SCERA) is a small office that values customer service, collaboration, professionalism, consistency, proactive planning, flexibility, and innovative problem-solving. We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where individuals from all backgrounds are welcomed, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

This Senior Retirement Benefits Specialist position works in a team environment with Retirement Benefits Specialists, and a Member Services Manager. This position will report to the Member Services Manager and will advise members on the application process for retirement benefits as well as review and process member applications for benefits such as deferred retirement, disability retirement, and general retirement. Senior Retirement Benefits Specialists provide advanced informational and technical assistance to active and retired SCERA members, beneficiaries, employers, and the public by interpreting and applying complex retirement laws, policies, and procedures. They handle a range of complex, specialized, and analytical tasks, and take on leadership responsibilities by guiding and training staff. Additional responsibilities include:

• Determining eligibility for retirement benefits
• Performing and verifying complex benefit calculations, including service credit purchases, reciprocity, disability, and retirement benefits, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulations
• Researching and resolving sensitive benefit issues, sometimes collaborating with County departments and member agencies to reconcile data and correct discrepancies
• Conducting individual counseling sessions and group presentations to educate members on retirement options and processes
• Reviewing and processing a wide range of benefit applications and documentation, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and timely processing
• Creating retirement benefit communications for newsletters and other publications for SCERA

The ideal Senior Retirement Benefits Specialist candidate will be a team player who is eager to collaborate and create effective relationships with SCERA personnel and plan members. They will have a strong understanding of, or interest in developing expertise in, retirement system operations, actuarial principles, reciprocity provisions, and related public sector benefit programs. The ideal candidate will demonstrate integrity, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning in support of SCERA’s mission to provide accurate, responsive, and high-quality retirement services. They will also possess many of the following:

• Experience in general office practices and computerized systems, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn and navigate specialized pension software
• Knowledgeable in applying the provisions of the County Employees' Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL) and the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) to retirement benefits administration
• Some experience giving presentations and/or explaining policies and/or regulations, with t he ability to communicate complex concepts in clear terms to individuals or groups with varying levels of knowledge
• Some experience determining benefit eligibility and/or working with various benefit programs
• An understanding of mathematical formulas to calculate retirement benefits
• Acute attention to detail, as well as the mathematical ability to calculate and validate benefit and service purchase computations with experience using of electronic information systems and software solutions for pension administration
• The ability to work through a caseload with support from management, including asking questions to ensure their work product is accurate and reliable

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

This recruitment is being conducted to fill a Senior Retirement Benefits Specialist position in the Sonoma County Employee Retirement Association (SCERA). This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this would include college-level course work in public administration, communications business administration, management, benefits administration, finance, accounting, economics, paralegal, human resources, or related fields, and two years of responsible office support work experience involving contact with the public, the use of advanced elements of word processing, spreadsheet, pension system administration, and presentation software and review or preparation of legal-type documents, including one year experience equivalent to that of a Retirement Benefits Specialist II. Some experience in communications, bookkeeping, accounting, workers' compensation, disability benefits, employee benefits, or insurance benefits is desirable.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: County Employees' Retirement Law of 1937; the Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013; policies and regulations related to pensionable compensation; service retirement and benefits processing; information gathering techniques, business and legal writing formats, communication accessibility standards under California law and the Americans With Disabilities Act; interviewing techniques; the use of electronic information systems; office support and SCERA practices, procedures, programs, services, policies, and regulations; the purpose and processing of diverse forms and documents; English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and composition; basic mathematics; methods and techniques used in researching, proofing, evaluation, gathering, organizing, presenting and arranging data.

Knowledge of: principles and techniques of leadership, staff development and training.

Ability to: communicate effectively orally and in writing; understand and apply specific rules, codes, regulations, procedures, policies, and precedents; use reference material; select, interpret and explain regulations and procedures to others; speak effectively in public; work effectively under deadlines; follow written and oral instructions; locate, identify, and correct technical inaccuracies; use independent initiative and discretion in organizing work and carrying out instructions; establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with other employees and the public; work effectively with individuals in sensitive and stressful circumstances; establish, organize and revise the maintenance of SCERA files; research, proof, audit, evaluate, gather, organize and arrange diverse information; prepare a variety of material to include graphs, charts, statistical statements, specifications, purchase orders, reports and standardized forms; independently research and prepare correspondence in answer to inquiries about SCERA records, programs, services and regulations; maintain and process a variety of records and transactions; make accurate and rapid mathematical calculations; operate office equipment; develop and implement procedures, lead, train, and advise other staff; provide technical directions to others; work independently and collaboratively in performing assignments and in resolving problems and deviations; use electronic equipment and pension administration software systems as used by SCERA; and enter data accurately.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate’s personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant’s name, former last name, address, phone number, email, driver's license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.

Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT

HR Technician: PP

Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: General*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 12/18/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$77,557.38 - $94,275.21 Annually