BENEFITS SERVICES SPECIALIST II - 72004263

Position Overview and Responsibilities

This position serves as a cross-functional Benefits Services Specialist II within the Division of Retirement (Division) and may be assigned to perform duties across multiple bureaus/sections based on operational needs, workload demands, staffing requirements, special projects, or management direction. This is a highly complex and technical work in the analysis of retirement accounts. The incumbent exercises considerable judgment under the general supervision of an administrative supervisor. The incumbent will be expected to learn and apply knowledge and understanding of the philosophy and provisions of Florida Statutes relating to retirement, which may include Chapters 112, 121, 122, 123, 238, 250, 321, 175, and 185, and all administrative rules, policies, and procedures developed pursuant to such laws. The incumbent may also be required to possess a comprehensive working knowledge and understanding of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration provisions relating to retirement programs.

Duties

• Interpret and apply applicable laws, rules, and regulations necessary to administer provisions for Florida Retirement System (FRS) benefits including Pension Plan, Investment Plan, Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), disability, survivor and Health Insurance Subsidy benefits, as well as for optional retirement programs administered by the Division.
• Serve as a trainer and resource person for the team.
• Review and process retirement documentation and forms for FRS members.
• Research Florida Statutes, rules, and Division policies to compose complete, accurate and grammatically correct responses to customers’ inquiries by letter or email. Also provide quality control review of outgoing correspondence prepared by section staff.
• Support and assist the section administrator in assigning and monitoring the section’s workflow, production reports, process improvements, etc. This Benefits Services Specialist II may participate in employee hiring processes.
• Provide customer service that requires expert knowledge of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) and all existing systems, the Florida Statutes, rules, and Division policies.
• Develops and writes procedures and updates procedures for the approval of the section administrator.
• May participate in workshops, seminars, and employee or employer trainings.
• May assist with taking phone calls from members, as needed.
• Provide quality control review of information updated in the Division’s Integrated Retirement Information System (IRIS) and other work processes. This may include:
• Analyzing and approving transactions and functions related to member accounts for accuracy,
• Ensuring that proper information has been credited under each retirement system and plan,
• Verifying members' eligibility for benefit payments,
• Verifying members’ eligibility to claim retirement credit for additional types of service,
• Verifying that the required contributions and interest have been accurately calculated and paid as required,
• Ensuring that the proper documentation for all actions taken and determinations made are contained in the file,
• Verifying the audits of transfer of moneys between and within member accounts due to reporting and other errors in the account,
• Verifying plan adjustments, plan elections, contributions, invoices, etc.

Qualifications

• Three years of professional experience in the areas of insurance, retirement or social security, administration, call center, customer service, fiscal work, statistics, personnel, or any other combination. Post-secondary education may be used as an alternative for years of experience on a year-for-year basis.