Address
Form of workSalary : $61,817.00 - $75,338.00 Annually
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 24-076620
Department: Retirement
Opening Date: 01/06/2024
Closing Date: 1/29/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
One current vacancy with the Tulare County Employees Retirement Association (TCERA), located in Visalia. This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and future vacancies. The anticipated life of the list is six months.
Both Level I and Level II are responsible, at various levels of difficulty, to counsel retirement members regarding benefits and/or annuities; perform fiscal operations in support of preparing and producing retirement pension payroll; perform fiscal and administrative operations in support of active member records; and monitor and coordinate activities relating to the disability retirement claims process.
Salary Information:
Level I: $4,665 -$5,685 Monthly
Level II: $5,151 - $6,278 Monthly
Typical Duties
Counseling Relations:
Respond orally or in writing to a wide variety of retirement benefit questions for active, deferred, and retired members, clearly articulating their various options so members can make informed retirement planning choices; verify eligibility, prepare estimates of benefits payable, and counsel members and their beneficiaries on benefit options, service purchases, service and disability retirement benefits, death benefits, deferred and reciprocal benefits in compliance with Federal, State and County Retirement statutes; coordinate reciprocal benefits with other retirement systems; prepare presentations and speak before groups of members to explain plan benefits and provide pre-retirement benefit information in accordance to the retirement provisions set forth in the 1937 Act Retirement Code, Memorandums of Understanding, and Personnel regulations associated with employment; process and apply member contributions from County payroll to employees' retirement account; monitor and participate in the preparation and maintenance of members' contribution balances, member records and files; calculate and verify accuracy of member contribution balance, interest applied, purchase and redeposit requests, disbursements, total service credits, death benefits, and disability benefits; calculate deductions, garnishments, Domestic Relations Orders, attachments and prepare payments for a variety of agencies and balance amounts with payroll; research, evaluate, and resolve complex retirement benefit information to resolve and process complex retirement benefit
claims and inquires.
Disability Determinations:
Evaluate and accurately calculate member disability retirement benefits in accordance with Federal, State and County retirement codes, policies, procedures and other regulations; interview and counsel members contemplating disability retirement; advise applicant of benefit options; assist in the completion of application forms, tax withholding forms, and beneficiary forms; explain tax liability of disability benefits; respond orally or in writing to a wide variety of disability retirement benefit questions from applicants, attorneys, medical experts, hearing officers, witnesses, department heads and others; organize all pertinent documentation, prepare summary of records according to policies in place, and coordinate active file actions with applicable parties from within the County and/or Special Districts and the Retirement Board's medical expert to bring successful closure to each case; develop procedures to ensure timely processing of disability applications; communicate effectively and concisely with applicants/attorneys, witnesses, physicians, medical experts, County Counsel, Personnel or department Human Resources, payroll clerks, Workers' Compensation/Risk Management, and Hearing Officers.
Retiree Payroll:
Responsible for the processing and distribution of monthly retirement payroll meeting all requirements of the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937, Federal and State tax reporting regulations, and payroll issues; verify final retirement benefit calculations and reserves; verify, process, and maintain pension payroll benefit payments, reports, and documents in a timely manner; set up and maintain payroll and retiree files; input retiree payroll adjustments; balance and maintain accurate retirement accounts, including deposit logs for Federal and State withholding; create and maintain various financial and statistical databases, file systems and ledger records to track information related to retiree payroll transactions and prepare reports as requested; monitor all bank changes, researching and resolving bank deposit problems; communicate verbally and in writing with eligible beneficiaries of death benefits; handle all routine correspondence and inquiries from retired members; review County policies, resolutions and employee agreements for impact on the Retirement Benefits System; obtain interpretation and assist in implementing changes as needed; research, prepare, and submit materials and reports to the Board of Retirement; interpret and implement new Federal and State laws and regulations affecting retirement benefits and payroll operations; prepare, process, and distribute actuary data tape for actuarial survey; provide pension actuarial data verification.
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.
Education/ Experience: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, accounting or a related field and one (1) year of experience performing payroll processing or retirement related field and proficiency with personal computer operations and software programs. Level II: Two (2) years of experience performing duties comparable to those of a Retirement Specialist I.
Equivalencies:
Level I: Additional years of related experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis. Level II: Additional years of experience performing pension payroll processing, active membership administration, and disability claims/hearing processes exhibiting proficiency with operations, personal computer, and software programs may substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis.
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of payroll accounting; bookkeeping practices and procedures; advanced knowledge of automated pension payroll and active member record keeping systems; theory, capabilities, limitations, and operations of office automation and related equipment and systems; record keeping principles and techniques; clerical office methods and procedures; advanced bookkeeping practices and procedures; Federal and State laws pertaining to pension payroll processing activities and garnishments; disability hearing requirements and preparation.
Skill/Ability to:Read, understand and interpret laws, regulations, personnel policies, memoranda of understanding and changes to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 that affect the pension payroll system; identify a need for developing and implementing new forms or procedures; organize work and set priorities on an ongoing basis; meet deadlines under demanding conditions with changing priorities; research, collect and organize material into a manageable form; recognize and maintain confidentiality of information in compliance with County regulations and the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937 (the 1937 Act); read, understand and interpret medical and legal terminology; establish and maintain effective working relationships; communicate effectively, orally and through written correspondence; verify information and calculate benefits, service credit, contributions, refunds and other disbursements; clearly explain the 1937 Act provisions, other retirement rules and regulations to members, groups of members, and beneficiaries; research, interpret and apply the 1937 Act, Federal, State and County rules, codes, policies and regulations.
License or Certificate:Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.
DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Experience:Previous experience working with a retirement system.
Knowledge of: The County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (the 1937 Act.).
Bargaining Unit 1
The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.
Benefit Amount:An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, and life). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).
Health Insurance:A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).
Retirement:The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.
Paid Holiday Leave:12 set days and 1 personal holiday.
Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.
Sick Leave Accrual:12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 50 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.
Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D:$10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.
Disability Insurance:Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.
Deferred Compensation:A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.
To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at
The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.
01
The questions that follow will be used to evaluate the extent to which a candidate has demonstrated and applied the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to successful performance in this position. The following questions measure necessary employment standards for this position. You must respond to all required questions to be considered for this position.Describe your experience, skills and training that qualify you for this position.
02
Describe your experience in payroll processing or work in a retirement related field. Be sure to indicate the specific functions you performed and the size of the organization in which you gained your experience.
03
Describe your areas of proficiency with personal computer operations and software programs including your experience with word processing and spreadsheet programs. Please indicate any programs you have used that are specifically related to payroll, benefits, or pension functions.
04
Describe your experience with active and retired member pension and/or benefits administration. Include any experience with disability claims/hearing processes.
05
The following questions measure desirable employment standards. It is not necessary to answer these questions to apply for this position, however, those who do may be considered more qualified and may be given first consideration.Describe your experience with counseling individuals with retirement planning.
06
Describe your knowledge of retirement system operations. Include any experience with determining contributions, calculating benefits, and processing disbursements as required by the retirement plan. Indicate any experience with government defined benefit pension plans.
07
Describe your experience with reading, researching, interpreting and implementing laws, regulations, policies and procedures. Identify any experience with the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 as well as federal and state compensation and tax reporting laws and regulations.
Required Question
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 24-076620
Department: Retirement
Opening Date: 01/06/2024
Closing Date: 1/29/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
One current vacancy with the Tulare County Employees Retirement Association (TCERA), located in Visalia. This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and future vacancies. The anticipated life of the list is six months.
Both Level I and Level II are responsible, at various levels of difficulty, to counsel retirement members regarding benefits and/or annuities; perform fiscal operations in support of preparing and producing retirement pension payroll; perform fiscal and administrative operations in support of active member records; and monitor and coordinate activities relating to the disability retirement claims process.
Salary Information:
Level I: $4,665 -$5,685 Monthly
Level II: $5,151 - $6,278 Monthly
Typical Duties
Counseling Relations:
Respond orally or in writing to a wide variety of retirement benefit questions for active, deferred, and retired members, clearly articulating their various options so members can make informed retirement planning choices; verify eligibility, prepare estimates of benefits payable, and counsel members and their beneficiaries on benefit options, service purchases, service and disability retirement benefits, death benefits, deferred and reciprocal benefits in compliance with Federal, State and County Retirement statutes; coordinate reciprocal benefits with other retirement systems; prepare presentations and speak before groups of members to explain plan benefits and provide pre-retirement benefit information in accordance to the retirement provisions set forth in the 1937 Act Retirement Code, Memorandums of Understanding, and Personnel regulations associated with employment; process and apply member contributions from County payroll to employees' retirement account; monitor and participate in the preparation and maintenance of members' contribution balances, member records and files; calculate and verify accuracy of member contribution balance, interest applied, purchase and redeposit requests, disbursements, total service credits, death benefits, and disability benefits; calculate deductions, garnishments, Domestic Relations Orders, attachments and prepare payments for a variety of agencies and balance amounts with payroll; research, evaluate, and resolve complex retirement benefit information to resolve and process complex retirement benefit
claims and inquires.
Disability Determinations:
Evaluate and accurately calculate member disability retirement benefits in accordance with Federal, State and County retirement codes, policies, procedures and other regulations; interview and counsel members contemplating disability retirement; advise applicant of benefit options; assist in the completion of application forms, tax withholding forms, and beneficiary forms; explain tax liability of disability benefits; respond orally or in writing to a wide variety of disability retirement benefit questions from applicants, attorneys, medical experts, hearing officers, witnesses, department heads and others; organize all pertinent documentation, prepare summary of records according to policies in place, and coordinate active file actions with applicable parties from within the County and/or Special Districts and the Retirement Board's medical expert to bring successful closure to each case; develop procedures to ensure timely processing of disability applications; communicate effectively and concisely with applicants/attorneys, witnesses, physicians, medical experts, County Counsel, Personnel or department Human Resources, payroll clerks, Workers' Compensation/Risk Management, and Hearing Officers.
Retiree Payroll:
Responsible for the processing and distribution of monthly retirement payroll meeting all requirements of the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937, Federal and State tax reporting regulations, and payroll issues; verify final retirement benefit calculations and reserves; verify, process, and maintain pension payroll benefit payments, reports, and documents in a timely manner; set up and maintain payroll and retiree files; input retiree payroll adjustments; balance and maintain accurate retirement accounts, including deposit logs for Federal and State withholding; create and maintain various financial and statistical databases, file systems and ledger records to track information related to retiree payroll transactions and prepare reports as requested; monitor all bank changes, researching and resolving bank deposit problems; communicate verbally and in writing with eligible beneficiaries of death benefits; handle all routine correspondence and inquiries from retired members; review County policies, resolutions and employee agreements for impact on the Retirement Benefits System; obtain interpretation and assist in implementing changes as needed; research, prepare, and submit materials and reports to the Board of Retirement; interpret and implement new Federal and State laws and regulations affecting retirement benefits and payroll operations; prepare, process, and distribute actuary data tape for actuarial survey; provide pension actuarial data verification.
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.
Education/ Experience: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, accounting or a related field and one (1) year of experience performing payroll processing or retirement related field and proficiency with personal computer operations and software programs. Level II: Two (2) years of experience performing duties comparable to those of a Retirement Specialist I.
Equivalencies:
Level I: Additional years of related experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis. Level II: Additional years of experience performing pension payroll processing, active membership administration, and disability claims/hearing processes exhibiting proficiency with operations, personal computer, and software programs may substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis.
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of payroll accounting; bookkeeping practices and procedures; advanced knowledge of automated pension payroll and active member record keeping systems; theory, capabilities, limitations, and operations of office automation and related equipment and systems; record keeping principles and techniques; clerical office methods and procedures; advanced bookkeeping practices and procedures; Federal and State laws pertaining to pension payroll processing activities and garnishments; disability hearing requirements and preparation.
Skill/Ability to:Read, understand and interpret laws, regulations, personnel policies, memoranda of understanding and changes to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 that affect the pension payroll system; identify a need for developing and implementing new forms or procedures; organize work and set priorities on an ongoing basis; meet deadlines under demanding conditions with changing priorities; research, collect and organize material into a manageable form; recognize and maintain confidentiality of information in compliance with County regulations and the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937 (the 1937 Act); read, understand and interpret medical and legal terminology; establish and maintain effective working relationships; communicate effectively, orally and through written correspondence; verify information and calculate benefits, service credit, contributions, refunds and other disbursements; clearly explain the 1937 Act provisions, other retirement rules and regulations to members, groups of members, and beneficiaries; research, interpret and apply the 1937 Act, Federal, State and County rules, codes, policies and regulations.
License or Certificate:Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.
DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Experience:Previous experience working with a retirement system.
Knowledge of: The County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (the 1937 Act.).
Bargaining Unit 1
The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.
Benefit Amount:An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, and life). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).
Health Insurance:A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).
Retirement:The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.
Paid Holiday Leave:12 set days and 1 personal holiday.
Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.
Sick Leave Accrual:12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 50 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.
Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D:$10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.
Disability Insurance:Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.
Deferred Compensation:A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.
To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at
The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.
01
The questions that follow will be used to evaluate the extent to which a candidate has demonstrated and applied the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to successful performance in this position. The following questions measure necessary employment standards for this position. You must respond to all required questions to be considered for this position.Describe your experience, skills and training that qualify you for this position.
02
Describe your experience in payroll processing or work in a retirement related field. Be sure to indicate the specific functions you performed and the size of the organization in which you gained your experience.
03
Describe your areas of proficiency with personal computer operations and software programs including your experience with word processing and spreadsheet programs. Please indicate any programs you have used that are specifically related to payroll, benefits, or pension functions.
04
Describe your experience with active and retired member pension and/or benefits administration. Include any experience with disability claims/hearing processes.
05
The following questions measure desirable employment standards. It is not necessary to answer these questions to apply for this position, however, those who do may be considered more qualified and may be given first consideration.Describe your experience with counseling individuals with retirement planning.
06
Describe your knowledge of retirement system operations. Include any experience with determining contributions, calculating benefits, and processing disbursements as required by the retirement plan. Indicate any experience with government defined benefit pension plans.
07
Describe your experience with reading, researching, interpreting and implementing laws, regulations, policies and procedures. Identify any experience with the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 as well as federal and state compensation and tax reporting laws and regulations.
Required Question
