What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Plan Administrator position at Merced County, CA?
Examples of Duties
This recruitment is being established on behalf of MercedCERA for an Assistant Plan Administrator. This position is at will and appointed by the MercedCERA Retirement Board while remaining eligible for Merced County benefits.
Application Deadline: April 23, 2025 @ 5:00 PM Pacific
Interview Date: Week of May 5th, 2025
Under administrative direction of the Plan Administrator, assists with the overall management and direction of the Merced County Employees’ Retirement Association (MercedCERA); ensures that strategic direction and internal systems, operations, staff and functions are in accordance with the policies and regulations established by Federal and State statutes, and the MercedCERA Board of Retirement; provides highly complex staff assistance to the Plan Administrator; performs the duties of the Plan Administrator in the Administrator's absence; and performs related duties as required.
The Assistant Plan Administrator is a single position senior management class that assists the Plan Administrator in directing the day-to-day functions of the Retirement Department. Successful performance of the work requires a specialized knowledge of the 1937 (California) County Employees Retirement Act, retiree benefit administration, public accounting and investment principles for a 1937 Act system, proven ability to manage a complex organization, and applicable State, Federal and local regulations. Work requires a high degree of technical knowledge, initiative, sound business judgment, and the ability to make sound independent decisions in recommending, implementing, and administering departmental policy procedures.
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Application Deadline: April 23, 2025 @ 5:00 PM Pacific
Interview Date: Week of May 5th, 2025
Under administrative direction of the Plan Administrator, assists with the overall management and direction of the Merced County Employees’ Retirement Association (MercedCERA); ensures that strategic direction and internal systems, operations, staff and functions are in accordance with the policies and regulations established by Federal and State statutes, and the MercedCERA Board of Retirement; provides highly complex staff assistance to the Plan Administrator; performs the duties of the Plan Administrator in the Administrator's absence; and performs related duties as required.
The Assistant Plan Administrator is a single position senior management class that assists the Plan Administrator in directing the day-to-day functions of the Retirement Department. Successful performance of the work requires a specialized knowledge of the 1937 (California) County Employees Retirement Act, retiree benefit administration, public accounting and investment principles for a 1937 Act system, proven ability to manage a complex organization, and applicable State, Federal and local regulations. Work requires a high degree of technical knowledge, initiative, sound business judgment, and the ability to make sound independent decisions in recommending, implementing, and administering departmental policy procedures.
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assists the Plan Administrator in managing and directing the operations and functions of the Merced County Employees' Retirement Association; keeps the Plan Administrator apprised of current activities.
- Assists in developing department goals and objectives; assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
- Plans, organizes, and directs Retirement Association activities including technological support systems, record retention, retiree benefit administration, fiscal management and customer service functions.
- Assists with the preparation and implementation of the MercedCERA budget; participates in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; assists with the administration of the approved budget.
- Develops and implements MercedCERA work plan; assigns work activities, projects and programs; monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods and procedures.
- Recommends the appointment of personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; conducts performance evaluations; maintains discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of MercedCERA; assists with the implementation of departmental succession planning.
- Responsible for the coordination and implementation of new technological systems focused on pension administration and member tracking.
- Acts as Compliance Officer, monitoring and reviewing pending and approved legislation, laws and regulations for the impact on MercedCERA operations.
- Establishes, implements and monitors internal control processes and procedures.
- Acts as an intermediary for the Plan Administrator in highly sensitive and critical matters.
- Acts as technical expert to member agencies, employees and retirees; responds to the more complex and sensitive questions; interprets County Employees Retirement Law (CERL) provisions to accurately respond to inquiries.
- Conducts and/or manages a variety of administrative, feasibility, analytical and performance studies related to existing practices, procedures, methods, programs, services; prepares clear and concise study findings and recommendations.
- Investigates and analyzes facts and relevant retirement laws and practices; prepares and presents reports and findings and conclusions.
- Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, MercedCERA employees, the Retirement Board, participating employers, member agencies, retirees, and the public.
- Represents MercedCERA to outside groups and organizations; participates in outside community and professional groups and committees; provides technical assistance as necessary; makes presentations regarding MercedCERA programs at public meetings, administrative hearings and related functions.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience:
At least six (6) years of management experience above journey level in retirement administration or any of the following: benefits and fiscal management, knowledge of investments, personnel and administrative analysis or accounting, auditing and budgeting. Four (4) years of this experience must have been in a full-time supervisory capacity.
Education: A graduate degree in Human Resources, Public Administration or Business Administration. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis).
Essential Functions
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
KNOWLEDGE OF:
• Information systems management. • Principles and practices of business correspondence and report writing.
ABILITY TO:
- Communicate effectively with others in person, over the telephone, and virtually.
- Operate a personal computer and other office equipment, including repetitive hand and arm motions.
- Analyze data, interpret policies and laws, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate conclusions.
- Meet deadlines under stressful conditions; complete multiple priority projects with conflicting deadlines.
- Resolve conflicts and respond appropriately to inquiries and complaints.
- Establish, implement and achieve goals and objectives; Train, evaluate and supervise managers.
- Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or Merced County regulations.
- Represent MercedCERA; conduct presentations.
- Administer a budget, personnel and programs; Assure compliance with funding.
- Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
- Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
- Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
- Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
- Regular attendance is an essential function.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Principles and practices of retirement benefit administration, public accounting and investment principles for a 1937 Act system.
- Administrative techniques, principles, practices and the problems associated with governmental pension administration.
- Principles and practices of legislative review, relations and processes.
- Organization, function, and administrative structure of public retirement systems, including the role of the Retirement Board.
- Techniques of planning, performing and directing administrative, feasibility, analytical and performance studies.
- 1937 (California) County Employees Retirement Act, and other applicable State, Federal and local regulations.
- Principles and practices of policy development and implementation.
- Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
- Data analysis and statistical sampling techniques.
- Governmental accounting principles and practices, including GASB.
• Information systems management. • Principles and practices of business correspondence and report writing.
- Budgeting procedures and techniques.
- Principles and practices of organizational analysis and management.
- Principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management.
- Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
ABILITY TO:
- Plan, organize, direct, manage, and coordinate the operations, functions, and programs of a 1937 Act County Pension System.
- Set direction and vision for MercedCERA.
- Provide direction, supervision, training, development, and work evaluation for all staff.
- Develop budgets and control expenditures.
- Review the work of staff and resolve a variety of complex problems.
- Insure proper implementation of legislation, pension system updates, and litigation.
- Be responsible for the development, maintenance, and implementation of MercedCERA statistics, records, reports and projects.
- Coordinate operations, functions, and services with employers or government agencies.
- Effectively represent MercedCERA in contacts with the public, employers, peers, attorneys, and other government agencies.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with stakeholders, and the public in general.
- Provide direction and communicate effectively with all levels of staff.
- Work cooperatively with the MercedCERA Board of Retirement, Plan Administrator and other managers and vendors to develop agency policy and direction.
ALLOWANCES
EXPENSE ALLOWANCE
$100 per month expense allowance.
HOLIDAYS & LEAVES
MANAGEMENT LEAVE
96 hours per Fiscal Year.
VACATION
10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours). Optional annual sell back of a portion of accumulated vacation leave hours (maximum - 40 hours).
SICK LEAVE
0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.
HOLIDAYS
Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE
Five (5) regularly scheduled workdays.
INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums. Medical plan availability varies based on bargaining units.
- Anthem 500 EPO
- Anthem 1500 EPO
- Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) without Health Savings Account (HSA)
Dental Insurance - Delta Dental
- County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)
- County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)
DISABILITY INSURANCE
Management Disability Insurance – Unrepresented Management Levels A-E - 100% premium paid by employer
LIFE INSURANCE
County-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
- Unit 20 Unrepresented Management:
- Level A & B $85,000
- Level C $55,000
- Level D & E $35,000
Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee
RETIREMENT
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The County offers a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pretax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.
EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS.
MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.
EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.
EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS
The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.
THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.
For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at 209.385.7682
Salary : $100
