Position Information

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices including goal setting; program development, implementation and evaluation.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, evaluation and implementation of benefits programs, policies and operational needs.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision, including work planning.
• Defined benefit retirement plans and other types of pension plans.
• Rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937.
• Current issues, trends, legislation and management theories related to benefit plan administration.
• Principles and practices of effective counseling and meeting facilitation.
• Principles, practices, and legal implications involved in service disability assessments.
• Principles, theory and practices of public administration.
• Fiscal, actuarial and budgetary principles and procedures.
• Principles and practices of effective customer service.
• Modern office practices and methods.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation.
• Federal and State laws, rules and regulations governing pension systems, retirement plan administration and accounting requirements.

Ability to:

• Recommend and implement department goals and objectives.
• Administer complex retirement plan operations and services in an independent and cooperative manner.
• Plan, organize, assign, review and evaluate the work of staff; train staff in work procedures.
• Ensure optimal customer service.
• Demonstrate strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity and compliance with applicable laws and regulations at all times.
• Develop trust and credibility with CCCERA stakeholders.
• Research, analyze, evaluate and develop new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques.
• Manage the implementation of effective counseling services for CCCERA members.
• Manage a complex service retirement disability program.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks to meet critical deadlines.
• Use tact and initiative, and make independent decisions within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and other written materials.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Conduct presentations with the Board, internal colleagues and external organizations.
• Interpret, apply, explain and ensure compliance with Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Effectively represent CCCERA in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups and various businesses, professional and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
• Direct and ensure the implementation of a variety of filing, recordkeeping and tracking systems.
• Operate modern office equipment including computers and specialized software applications relevant to work performed.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Establish, maintain and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Demonstrate strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity and compliance with applicable laws and regulations at all times.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be

Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration or closely related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience within a large organization in retirement benefits or pension plan administration, at least two (2) years of which must have been at a supervisory level.  One (1) year of full-time experience with a defined benefit plan is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

None. 

Physical Demands:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements:

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Disaster Service Worker:

All Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement Association (CCCERA) employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with CCCERA requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency, therefore, employees must be residing within 200 miles of Concord, CA on scheduled work days.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

It is the policy of CCCERA to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.