Utah Retirement Systems provides retirement benefits for more than 250,000 Utah public employees, including teachers, firefighters, police officers, and others who serve their communities. URS administers eight pension systems and four retirement savings plans, providing financial security and peace of mind for thousands of Utah families. URS is a dynamic, complex enterprise that requires collaboration from talented employees across a diverse range of fields. We take pride in maintaining a positive team environment and excellent work-life balance. We offer a competitive salary, and our benefits far exceed what most modern employers offer.

POSITION SUMMARY

Performs a variety of executive, administrative and managerial duties related to planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the retirement processing and service functions of Utah Retirement Systems.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manage the day-to-day operations of the department directly or through managers, determines performance standards, assigns special projects and distributes work load. Reviews and monitors overall department performance.
2. Directs and controls recruitment and selection activities for staff members. Evaluates job performance and makes decisions affecting job retention, advancement, discipline and discharge.
3. Directs the development and finalization of department operating budget. Maintains department expenses within approved budgets.
4. Audits retired files.
5. Develops policies and procedures designed to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of retirement processing. Resolves issues related to retirement and service calculations.
6. Researches and interprets laws, codes, statues, policies and procedures, solicits legal opinions and writes new procedures as necessary. Provides or directs the training of staff in the laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the various retirement systems. Informs staff of board and administration decisions and interprets and communicates effects upon retirement operations.
7. Coordinates with IT in the development, specifications, implementation and testing of computer programs; evaluates computer program performance in relation to department goals and services.
8. Cooperates with consultants and actuaries regarding studies, finding, trends and practices with potential impact upon the retirement systems. Monitors and oversees individual retirement counseling including: Evaluating employment records to determine eligibility; providing estimates and explanations for various retirement options and programs; completing, and explaining forms to initiate final processing of retirement benefits. Monitors and oversees department functions including: apprising members of account condition related to previous refunds, military purchases, etc.; explaining federal and state tax liability and withholding provisions; advising members of consequences of post-retirement employment. Monitors and oversees retirement benefit calculations including: monitoring the determination of final lifetime benefits; analyzing and determining creditable service and salaries from available employment records and assuring that credited service complies with rights accrued under statutes.
9. Engages in the development and implementation of Administration’s initiatives including: strategic planning, enterprise risk management, governance reviews, employee engagement, and utilization of metrics.
10. Encourages and supports the URS mission statement, vision, and core values.
11. Working closely with the URS legal department, appears and testifies, as required, in administrative hearings and works with legal counsel in providing necessary documentation. Corresponds with attorneys regarding Domestic Relation Orders (DRO's) and oversees the processing of DRO’s. Reviews and corresponds with members and legal team regarding post-retirement violations, plan enrollment issues, and death overpayments.
12. Balances monthly retirement payments rolls to meet payment processing schedules.
13. Monitors and oversees processing payments and review of death claims and settlements and assures proper disposition according to current policy and law.
14. Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, develops team members to maximize potential, and helps team members meet goals, welcomes newcomers and promotes a team atmosphere.
15. Supervises training, coaches employees, delegates assignments, coordinates special training, and sets employees goals and priorities in a timely and efficient manner.
16. Directs the operations of the Retirement Department and monitors work flow to assure timely completion.
17. Applies strategic planning to assist in meeting the division objectives.
18. Maintains strict confidentiality.
19. Performs other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Bachelors Degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, or related field; and five (5) years of responsible experience performing variety of executive, administrative and managerial duties related to planning, organizing, directing, and controlling service functions; and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Specific experience in retirement processing preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This list contains knowledge, skills, and abilities that are typically associated with the job. It is not all-inclusive and may vary from position to position:

Required technical skills include the working knowledge and ability of:

• Computer operations and technical software applications.

Required mathematical skills include working knowledge of:

• Requires considerable knowledge with regard to budgeting, accounting and related statistical procedures.

Required retirement knowledge includes:

• Extensive knowledge of the purposes, principles and theory of public retirement systems, retirement laws, codes, policies and guidelines.
• Analyze a variety of retirement issues and problems and make recommendations.

Must possess excellent communication skills:

• Negotiation techniques.
• Draft technical reports, documents and agreements.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.

Must have the ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships in a highly visible work environment with professionals, executives (public and private) department heads, co-workers and the public.
• Knowledge of principles of organizational design, supervision, and motivation.
• Deal effectively with stress caused by workload and time deadlines.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Prioritize work.
• Perform within deadlines.
• Work well in a team environment as well as independently.
• Multi-task by handling a variety of duties in a timely and efficient manner.
• Follow through with assignments.
• Deal effectively with stress caused by workload and time deadlines.

The incumbent must always demonstrate judgment, high integrity, and personal values consistent with the values of URS.

Work Environment

Incumbent performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require a variety of physical activities which do not generally involve muscular strain, but do require activities related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing and seeing. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions. 

Position requires occasional travel for office business.  Individual must be physically capable of safely operating a vehicle, possess a valid driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record based upon data provided by a current Department of Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).