Interim/Acting Director, Retirement and Unemployment Services

Directs the operation of a variety of benefits services offered to employees in the School District of Philadelphia.  Oversees through subordinate supervisors, the areas of Employee Benefits, Retirement and Unemployment Compensation.  Keeps abreast of developments and changes in legislation and regulations affecting the operation of the District’s benefits management program and ensures adherence to government mandates, laws and regulations. Participates in projects requiring the coordination of activities among the various operational areas and ensuring that optimal customer service is provided to everyone.

•   Oversees and directs the activities and operations in Employee Benefits, Retirement and Unemployment Compensation; establishes areas of responsibility for subordinates, including supervisory staff; reacts to and plans for benefits, retirement and unemployment changes in response to amendments in legislation and regulations governing the administration of an employee benefits, retirement and unemployment program. 

•   Develops and implements a timetable to achieve short and long-term goals; works with District personnel in other divisions to facilitate implementation of collective bargaining agreements relative to health benefits eligibility. 

•   Serves as a resource and responds to inquiries from employees, family members, union representatives and service providers; provides support to staff in the resolution of problems.

•   Transmits periodic information between the retirement office and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; ensures that inquiries and concerns from employees and retirees are answered and resolved in a timely manner.

•   Provides support in the maintenance of a system used to present information to State hearing officers in the rebuttal of unfounded requests for unemployment benefits. 

•   Provides administrative support to the Executive Director, Employee Support Operations; coordinates and/or conducts special studies in response to administrative concerns as requested; provides guidance and recommends solutions to problems.

•   Serves as a representative of the Executive Director, Employee Support Operations at meetings, conferences, presentations and discussions as required.

•  Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration or a related field with coursework in law, insurance, risk management or safety engineering at an accredited college or university.

•  Seven years of full-time, paid, professional business management experience in a large organization, three of which have been in benefits administration and have included benefits programs implementation and involved supervising personnel.

 Any equivalent combination of training or experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources.

•   Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of benefits administration.

•   Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the administration of an employee benefits program.

•   Demonstrated knowledge of budgetary practices.

•   Demonstrated knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques. 

•   Ability to direct, review and coordinate the work of subordinate supervisory and nonsupervisory personnel.

•   Ability to interpret and explain a wide variety of laws, regulations and mandates pertaining to benefits management.

•   Ability to analyze complex problems and make cogent recommendations regarding their resolution.

•   Ability to effectively lead and manage a work team.

•   Ability to manage and interpret data.

•   Ability to use a personal computer.

•   Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

•   Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.