Retirement Specialist - Gwinnett Retirement System

License and Certification Qualifications: Must meet qualifications to become a Notary Public.

Education Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor's degree in related field preferred.

Experience Qualifications: Four years experience in a position of trust that enabled the development of the skills required of the position and a strong commitment to customer focus and teamwork required. Public employee retirement and disability benefits programs experience preferred.

Skills Qualifications: Knowledge of a broad range of local, state, and federal employee retirement programs and services; skills in applying knowledge to assist employees in making retirement-related decisions; ability to interpret a variety of regulations, policies, and instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form; ability to work independently with employees to provide sound practical solutions and advice for a wide range of problems and questions; strong interpersonal and group communications skills; ability to communicate effectively in writing; ability to use computer software including Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office, and PeopleSoft applications; and ability to maintain and use accurate, auditable data contained in automated systems at an advanced level.

Primary Responsibilities: Responsible for providing retirement counseling to employees as they plan for and transition from active employment to retirement, providing post-retirement communication and support services to Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) retirees and their beneficiaries, and assisting in planning and conducting retirement-related seminars and programs.

1. Provide retirement counseling and educational services.
a. Research and prepare individual and group counseling sessions to meet the needs of new employees, active and former employees, transitioning employees, and retirees and beneficiaries regarding retirement benefits.
b. Provide accurate information and responses to member problems and questions both orally and in writing.
c. Assist in planning and presenting retirement-related programs for large groups.
d. Prepare periodic written communications pertaining to topics of interest to active members and retirees.

2. Provide information and data processing and maintenance.
a. Ensure all retirement and benefit applications and related documents are accurately completed and submitted in a timely manner.
b. Maintain accurate hardcopy and electronic retirement-related information files pertaining to GCPS employees and beneficiaries.
c. Utilize output from automated systems to provide accurate and up-to-date information to GCPS employees and beneficiaries regarding present and projected retirement benefits.
d. Assist in auditing employee and beneficiary records for completeness and accuracy.

3. Maintain effective contact with customers, service providers, other GCPS departments, and state and federal benefits providers to ensure responsive customer support and prompt resolution of issue and receipt of benefits.
a. Facilitate the flow of information and documents to and from the Retirement Services Department customers and external service and benefit providers.

4. Assist in training other office personnel in work procedures as assigned to support retirement services.

5. Maintain professional and technical proficiency
a. Maintain detailed knowledge of GCPS retirement benefits and how they interact with and supplement other benefit plans.
b. Assist others in understanding retirement benefits and making informed retirement decisions.
c. Stay current on the utilization of technological tools and interact with and support other team members to facilitate more effective and efficient operations.
d. Continuously evaluate and recommend improvements to retirement services and processes.

6. Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time. The employee is also required to talk, hear, stand, and walk. The employee may be required to use hands to touch, handle, feel, and/or reach. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.