ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER II (Administrative Officer II – Benefits Processing Unit)

Maryland; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework option

State benefits

Job summary

The Maryland State Retirement Agency in Baltimore manages the State Retirement and Pension System. The Death Benefits and Refunds Processing Section handles thousands of payments annually with accuracy and compliance with state laws.

This role supports the unit and will cross-train with related teams to ensure timely processing of payments and refunds. Candidates should have solid admin experience, familiarity with MS Office, and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two years of administrative or professional experience.
• 30 credit hours from college can substitute one year of experience; a Bachelor's degree can substitute experience.
• Armed Forces commissioned officer service may substitute year-for-year.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing member accounts and determining eligibility for death benefits.
• Verifying and certifying the member’s annual salary for death benefit payments.
• Preparing manual vouchers and documenting authorization of manual payments.
• Entering transactions to update beneficiary information and create payment records.
• Calculating payments and taxes; ensuring correct benefit amounts and 1099R generation.
• Processing refund withdrawal applications and researching/ replacing refunds.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Multitasking

Office software

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Introduction

�The Maryland State Retirement Agency is the administrator of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System ("System"). The System is a defined benefit retirement system covering State and local government employees of Maryland. It’s composed of twelve (12) separate retirement and pension systems with over 50 different rule sets. The System has over 433,000 participants (customers), including 210,000 members who are actively employed and participating in the System, 179,000 payees who receive a monthly payment from the System, and 44,000 vested members who are no longer actively employed but have earned a benefit that will become payable at a future date. Located in Baltimore’s Central Business District, SRPS offers a purpose-driven workplace with modern amenities, including panoramic city and harbor views, renovated common areas, upgraded elevators, and an on-site caf�. Employees enjoy comprehensive state benefits including medical, dental, prescription coverage, generous paid leave, participation in the state pension system, and supplemental retirement savings options (401(k), 457(b), and more). Additional perks include an on-site fitness center with showers and lockers, 24/7 building security, and easy access to restaurants, shops, public transit, and major highways.� If you're seeking a career with impact, stability, and a supportive environment, explore opportunities with MSRPS. This position is eligible to telework one day per week after successfully completing the defined required training period.

GRADE

STD0014

LOCATION OF POSITION

120 East Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Main Purpose of Job

The main purpose of this position is to ensure complete and accurate processing of payments to the beneficiaries of deceased retirees or active members of the State Retirement and Pension System (SRPS) and requests for withdrawal of accumulated contributions (refund payment) from former members and new retirees in accordance with state retirement laws, regulations and Agency policies and procedures. The Death Benefits and Refunds Processing Section processes more than 3,600 lump-sum death payments and nearly 700 survivor annuity payments each year in addition to handling roughly 5,600 refund requests.

POSITION DUTIES

This position supports operations in the Death Benefits and Refunds Processing Section of the Benefits Processing Unit. This position will also be cross trained to perform the duties associated with the Pre-Retirement Death Benefits and Refunds team of the section and the Retired Death Benefits team of the section.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Reviewing member’s account and determining eligibility for payment of death benefits based on retirement laws.�
• Verifying and certifying the member’s annual salary to determine if the salary is provided as part of death benefit payment.�
• Preparing Manual Vouchers by determining whether manual payment is required based on knowledge of Agency regulations, procedures and policies.�
• Completing the calculation of accumulated contribution worksheet and creating a memo documenting reasons for authorization of manual payment.
• Entering transactions to update the beneficiary information to the payment record and processing transactions to create the beneficiary payment record.
• Calculating the correct payment manually to verify that the automated system is paying the correct amount.
• Correcting the cost-of-living allowance share of the benefit as necessary.
• Auditing and verifying that the correct benefit allowance was paid to the member prior to death before finalizing payment to the beneficiary or estate.�
• Calculating applicable Federal and State taxes to be withheld from death benefit payments including the preparation of 1099R statements to beneficiaries and for reporting to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
• Reviewing, analyzing and processing incoming documentation as well as returned checks and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) reversals from Banking Services.�
• Submitting transactions to make necessary account corrections in the Maryland Pension Administration System (MPAS) on pending accounts.�
• Processing refund withdrawal applications.
• Researching and replacing refund payments to former members.�

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education:Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• Experience: Two years of administrative staff or professional work.
• Notes: 1. Candidates may substitute 30�credit hours from an accredited college or university for one�year of the required experience. 2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree�from a college or university for the required experience. 3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work that included regular use of independent judgment and analysis in applying and interpreting complex administrative plans, policies, rules or regulations or analysis of operational programs or procedures with recommendations for improvement on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Please note that your answers to the supplemental questionnaire must correspond to the information provided on your application to receive credit.

• One year of experience reviewing and processing incoming applications, including eligibility for benefits (e.g. retirement, insurance, health, etc.);
• One year of demonstrated professional experience working with Microsoft Office software, including Word, Outlook, and Excel;
• Excellent customer service skills as it relates to sensitive and complex situations;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Experience working independently, managing multiple priorities, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the minimum for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year. This list will be used by the hiring agency to select employees. For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire. Due to the confidential nature of the work, selected candidates must undergo and pass a background check.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost.�

• Personal Leave - new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
• Annual Leave - ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
• Sick Leave - fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.��
• Holidays - State employees also celebrate at least thirteen (13) holidays per year.��
• Pension - State employees earn credit towards a retirement pension.
• Positions may be eligible for telework.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT UNSOLICITED DOCUMENTATION

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

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