BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR - 72002570 1

Florida; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Florida, Department of Management Services, Division of Retirement, Survivor Benefits Section, Tallahassee, seeks a Benefits Administrator - SES to oversee staff and operations. The role directs performance management, scheduling, and HR processes, ensuring timely appraisals, benefits determinations, and compliance with Florida statutes and division policies.

Strong supervisory experience and knowledge of retirement rules are required; seven years of related work and a postsecondary

Qualifications

• Seven years of professional experience in retirement, insurance, or related fields.
• Postsecondary degree may substitute years of direct experience.
• supervisory experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Supervise professional staff and manage performance appraisals.
• Oversee scheduling, leave requests, and HR actions with HR collaboration.
• Determine death and survivor benefits per Florida statutes and division policies.
• Prepare complex correspondence and counsel members/claimants.
• Appear as expert witness and coordinate with Legal staff as needed.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Staff management

Performance management

Communication skills

Policy interpretation

Independent judgment

Education

Postsecondary degree

Experience in retirement/benefits

Tools

WORD

EXCEL

IRIS

Workflow

Job description

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Requisition No:885229

Agency: Management Services

Working Title: BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR - 72002570 1

Benefits Administrator - SES

Division of Retirement/Benefit Payments/Survivors

State of Florida Department of Management Services

This is an on-site position located in Tallahassee, FL

Internal Agency Only

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Responsible for the supervision of staff including performance management, planning, and directing work, managing schedules including leave requests, fostering a healthy and positive work environment, and working with the Office of Human Resources during hiring and disciplinary actions. Responsible for timely employee performance appraisals and all personnel-related activities.

This is highly responsible administrative and supervisory position in the direction of the activities in the Survivor Benefits Section of the Bureau of Benefit Payments. The incumbent supervises professional staff engaged in the administration of death benefit provisions of the retirement laws of Florida. The incumbent exercises independent judgment on a daily basis. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

Supervises a staff of professional employees in determining eligibility of death and survivor benefits. Incumbent must have a thorough knowledge of Florida Statues, rules and regulations, and policies of the Division, regarding all benefits due members and beneficiaries. Exercises general supervision of the Survivor Benefits Section to ensure accomplishments of the Department, Division, and Bureau's goals and objectives. Delegates and assigns work, as necessary.

Formulates and institutes such procedures to ensure that the staff accurately and promptly determines and provides benefits to all eligible claimants. Coordinates with the Division's Data Section to ensure that all electronic data processing requirements of the Section are met.

Exercises independent judgment in resolving questions from staff regarding benefit eligibility and other questions concerning Florida Statues, rules and regulations, and Division policy, and recommends to the Bureau Chief any changes necessary.

Composes a variety of complex correspondence, memoranda, and other written materials regarding death benefits. Counsels with members and claimants, as necessary.

Appears as an expert witness at hearings or court cases, as necessary. Works closely with the Legal staff relating to the legal beneficiary when a conflict occurs.

Evaluates and prepares the performance evaluations of each employee in the Survivor Benefits Section, counsels with employees, and resolves personnel problems, as necessary.

Conducts employment interviews with individuals applying for positions within the Survivor Benefits Section. Evaluates qualifications of applicants and selects the most qualified for the position.

Initiates the audit review process of retirees and analyzes the results of reviews to ensure retirees are eligible to continue receiving retirement benefits.

Performs other related duties, as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to use a personal computer. Ability to use WORD and EXCEL. Knowledge of the use of IRIS and Workflow. Knowledge of retirement and related laws. Ability to understand and apply rules, statutes, policies, and procedures relating to retirement benefits. Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to compose complex correspondence. Ability to use problem solving techniques. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others. Accountability, Communication, Empowerment, Flexibility, Integrity, Respect, Teamwork.

Minimum Qualifications:

Seven years of professional experience in the areas of insurance, retirement or social security, administration, call center, customer service, fiscal work, statistics and personnel.

A postsecondary degree may be used as an alternative for years of direct experience.

Supervisory experience a plus.

Division of Retirement:

The mission of the Division of Retirement (division) is to deliver a high quality, innovative, and cost-effective retirement system. The division currently has 246 full-time retirement staff and manages a FY 2026-27 operating budget of $55,482,958. The division administers the Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan, currently one of the largest public state retirement systems in the US with more than 1.2 million active, retired, and terminated vested members and $212.6 billion in assets. The division pays out more than $12 billion a year in retiree benefits and maintains the service history, vesting and membership status records, and collects nearly $5.9 billion annually in employer and employee contributions from more than 1,000 employers for all FRS members.

Our Organization and Mission:

Under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, Secretary Tom Berger and DMS' Executive Leadership Team, the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) is a customer-oriented agency with a broad portfolio that includes the efficient use and management of real estate, procurement, human resources, group insurance, retirement, telecommunications, fleet, and federal property assistance programs used throughout Florida's state government. It is against this backdrop that DMS strives to demonstrate its motto, "We serve those who serve Florida."

Special Notes:

DMS is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our agency recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following provided email addresses:

[e-mail]

[e-mail].

An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. For purposes of requesting reasonable accommodations, as mentioned above, the agency hiring authority is the DMS Human Resources office, which the candidate can reach at [phone].

Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.