PENSIONS BENEFITS SPECIALIST TRAINEE
DEFINITION:
Under the close supervision of a Pensions Benefits Specialist 3 or other supervisory official in the Division of Pensions and Benefits, Department of the Treasury, as a trainee and productive worker, learns to provide information to clients on retirement and health benefits programs; make final reviews of contributions reports; process employee benefits involving eligibility determinations and computations; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
As a trainee and productive worker:
Learns to provide assistance to participating employers and members regarding employee benefit support or employer reporting programs of the Division.
Learns to counsel clients on the various retirement and health benefit plans administered by the Division.
Learns to determine the eligibility of members for the retirement and health benefit plans.
Learns to review, verify, and process retirement and/or health benefits to members or beneficiaries.
Learns to review/audit members' accounts and process correcting transactions.
Learns to process adjustments to member accounts due to, but not limited to, enrollment date changes, court ordered decisions, negotiated settlements, change in legislation, birth date discrepancies, or calculates workers' compensation reductions against member benefits.
Learns to process underpayments or overpayments of pension contributions, arrears, back deductions, life or health insurance, or loans; takes action to secure amounts due and prepare adjustments to members' accounts.
Learns to reconstruct, recalculate, and/or reactivate accounts for members eligible to return to service or employment following withdrawal or retirement and ensures reinstatement of member by advising the appropriate sections.
Learns to provide retirement, purchase, and loan estimates.
Learns to draft correspondence to members, employers, and other interested parties.
Performs basic mathematical computations with accuracy.
Learns to compile accurate statistical information to include in monthly work reports.
Maintains records and files.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Four (4) years of professional experience in the operation of retirement or health insurance programs.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the public employee retirement and health benefit programs in New Jersey after a period of training.
Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data after a period of training.
Knowledge of the methods used to complete applications after a period of training.
Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations, and apply them to specific situations.
Ability to analyze problems and identify solutions.
Ability to counsel client and provide accurate information on the various retirement and health benefit plans administered by the Division.
Ability to review and audit contribution reports, point out errors, and explain proper reporting methods.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with associates, representatives from local and state agencies, members of the public, and others.
Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.
Ability to provide advice and assistance on retirement and health benefit matters.
Ability to draft correspondence and prepare clear, accurate reports.
Ability to perform basic mathematical computations.
Ability to compile statistical information for reports.
Ability to establish and maintain records and files.
Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
ADVANCEMENT:
Upon the successful completion of the twelve (12) month training period, appointees will be eligible for advancement to Pensions Benefits Specialist 1 in accordance with New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures.
The inability of an employee in the trainee title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to Pensions Benefits Specialist 1 shall be considered as cause for separation.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
