Job Summary: Leads NEXCOM Group Benefit Plans both self-funded and fully insured to include active post-retirement medical among other plan offerings for both mandatory and voluntary offerings. Directs the NEXCOM and Coast Guard NAF Defined Benefit Retirement Plans as well as FER and CSRS defined Benefits Retirement Plan and the 401 k Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. Ensures plan accounting and records are complete and accurate. Acts as principal liaison for internal and external audits. Manages both direct and indirect staff reports for benefits and retirement departments to include the Benefits Manager. Monitors and analyzes plans effectiveness with recommendations to senior leadership for optimization and contemporary practice alignment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages a group of associates involved in the administration of the NEXCOM Retirement Plans. Plans, organizes and assigns work, prepares work performance reviews, approves leave, recommends disciplinary action, and selects applicants for unit vacancies. Provides on-the-job training and counsels associates as required.

• Manages the processing of qualified domestic relations orders (QDRO), and/ reviews retirement and 401(k) plan transactions, i.e. retirement benefit calculations for active associates, survivors, beneficiaries and retirees. Actions processed include final annuity calculations and estimates, past service credit, cash outs (with interest), COLA adjustments, reinstatements, hardship withdrawals, etc. Ensures proper application of complex Retirement Plan and 401(k) Plan provisions as outlined in the NEXCOM Pension Summary Plan Description.

• Balances retiree's monthly annuity payments in coordination with Mellon Bank.

• Maintains close liaison with the Retirement and 401(k) Plan 3rd Party Administrators regarding benefit payment, recordkeeping, plan communications and customer service issues.

• Leads investigation and resolves problems and questions concerning eligibility, enrollment, reinstatement, portability of benefits, termination of employment and entitlement to benefits based on proper application of the NEXCOM 401(k) and Retirement Plan documents.

• Reconciles year-end pension contributions report and submits to the Retirement Plan Actuaries and provides retirement plan data necessary for the preparation of employee Total Compensation statements.

• Researches and processes FERS and CSRS retirement estimate requests and retirement paperwork and provides to OPM.

• Works with the Retirement Trust and attorney on proposals and amendments to current plans.

• Act as instrumental agent of automation for pension calculation and associated processes.
• Works with representatives for the Portability of Benefits Working Group (POBW) regarding portability entitlement(s) for associates.

• Participates in NEXCOM Command Internal and External Retirement Plan audits. Provides data, researches and answers questions raised during the audit, reviews controls in place, and develops and/or revises business processes to ensure appropriate controls are in place to ensure accuracy of plan records, accounting, and benefit calculations.

• Maintains close working relationship with NEXCOM and Coast Guard Human Resources, Accounting and Payroll staff, Internal and External Plan Auditors, TPAs, Actuaries, Attorneys, etc.

• Advises, consults and serves as a member of the management team in the development and execution of short-term and long-range plans and budgets based on broad Command goals, acquisitions, strategic planning and growth objectives.

• Evaluates and analyzes the results of the programs and services regularly and systematically; reports these results to the Vice President Total Rewards, in addition to other management reporting, such as benefit loss and claims control, budgets, special projects, etc.

• Reviews and analyzes the benefits market to determine employee needs, trends, regulations and practices, and develops competitive programs and services to meet company goals.

• Establishes and maintains long-term networking relationships and centers of influence through active involvement and participation in business, social, community and political arenas, boards or activities.

- - Prepares and monitors department budget at direction of Vice President Total Rewards.

- - Plans and directs the implementation and administration of benefits programs designed to ensure employees against loss of income due to illness, injury or retirement.

- - Directs preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits programs such as insurance plans, pension plans, 401(k), life and special employer-sponsored plans.

- - Plans the modification of existing benefits programs.

- - Directs support functions in providing customer service, information records, claims, etc.

• Carries out policies to achieve Equal Employment Opportunity. Ensures that human resources management is accomplished without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age or national origin.

• Carries out policy of courtesy and service. Exercises tact, good manners and courtesy when working with fellow associates and customers. Tactfully responds to inquiries and provides assistance in a prompt and friendly manner. Actively seeks to become knowledgeable concerning store policies and services offered to carry out the requirements of this position.

- - Performs other related duties as assigned.

- - Incumbent works independently and is required to be knowledgeable in all facets of the benefits Plans and eligibility criteria of the defined benefit plan (NEXCOM Pension). Work is reviewed for overall technical accuracy and compliance with provisions of respective plans.

- - Works under the general supervision of the Vice President Total Rewards who makes assignments and is available for assistance and guidance on questions on policy and precedent matters.

- - Carries out policy of courtesy and service. Exercises tact, good manners and courtesy when working with fellow associates and customers. Tactfully responds to inquiries and provides assistance in a prompt and friendly manner. Actively seeks to become knowledgeable concerning store policies and services offered to carry out the requirements of this position.

Requires a total of 9 years of experience as indicated below:

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: 3 years of responsible experience which enabled the applicant the ability to gain
general knowledge of the Human Resources Generalist or Benefits Administration specialist role; general understanding of the systems, methods and administrative machinery for accomplishing work; the ability to analyze problems, apply sound judgment in assessing practical implications of alternative solutions and resolving the problems presented; and the ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: 1 year academic study above the high school level may be substituted for 9 months of experience, up to maximum of a 4 year bachelor's degree of related field of study in Human Recourses may be substituted for general experience.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 6 years or management level experience directing benefits and retirement programs including responsibility for the designing and administering of enterprise-wide Group Health & Welfare Plans (Medical, Life, Disability, Long Term Care, FSA, Employee Assistance, etc.), Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Retirement Plans. Ensuring compliance with said programs.

Experience in the development, examination, investigation, adjudication, or authorization of claims for retirement, old age insurance, or pension claims; or administrative experience in analysis, development, or review of a retirement, old age insurance, survivor's benefit or pension program.

Provides employee benefits guidance and consultation to HR benefits staff and managers on sensitive or serious problems complicated by complex eligibility determinations or by the highly personal and sensitive nature of the issues, provides administrative and technical supervision to the assigned program and employees to accomplish programmatic goals and objectives.