See RETIREMENT SPECIALIST 1.

Supervises an assigned team of Retirement Specialists; OR is designated as a technical expert for administrative policy issues related to retirement system plans and the Deferred Compensation Program.

Supervises an assigned team of Retirement Specialists. Directs team members in the provision of retirement coverage for customer caseload and support functions. Establishes and implements unit standards, processes and procedures. Provides leadership, coaching mentoring and support to team members and establishes goals and expectations for work performance and behavior. Observes team members on a regular basis as part of assessing performance; provides regular, ongoing feedback; conducts performance evaluations in accordance with established rules and agency policy; 

OR 

Serves as a technical expert for highly complex retirement issues related to administrative policy and procedures. Assignments typically include one or more of the following: 

• Facilitates development of new administrative policies and procedures;  

• Prepares decision papers and drafts administrative decisions for review by the Plan Administrator on matters of retirement system laws, rules and policies; drafts Washington Administrative Code rules;  

• Prepares and gives testimony for administrative hearings or court cases regarding retirement issues. Interprets new and revised laws and regulations to determine impact on retirement systems. 

Provides leadership, coaching and support for a team of Retirement Specialists; establishes clear goals and expectations for work performance and behavior; fairly and consistently holds team members accountable to established expectations; 

Ensures team members have resources and training necessary to perform work and meet established goals/expectations; 

Obtains clarification of new and existing laws, or laws outside agency jurisdiction through consultation with agency legal staff; 

Develops draft rules and updates agency publications and knowledge base articles in response to new legislation or changes in agency policy; 

Acts in manager’s absence; 

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge of: federal and state regulatory rules, laws, policies and procedures governing the retirement systems and plans, and the Deferred Compensation Program; math reasoning; written and oral communication strategies and tools; performance management strategies and techniques; and computerized systems and software and  agency unique tools and applications. 

Ability to: lead, coach, mentor and motivate others; plan, evaluate and perform difficult and complex assignments; effectively communicate information for the purpose of having others learn, understand and apply specific principles, techniques, and information; interpret and apply state and federal rules, laws, policies and procedures related to retirement benefits and services; communicate complex, technical information, both verbally and in writing, in a clear, concise, accurate and informative manner based on the knowledge and understanding of the audience; handle disputed issues with tact; develop policies and procedures; apply and interpret regulations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, attorneys, financial advisors, public officials, physicians, fellow team members, and the general public; analyze and audit records and apply past and present law that is applicable to each individual account; effectively communicate information for the purpose of having others learn, understand and apply specific principles, techniques or information; utilize integrated database systems and agency online tools.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Two years of experience as a Retirement Specialist 3. 

OR 

A Bachelor’s degree in a business related field and two years of experience working for the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems performing senior-level consultation, analysis and/or audit responsibilities requiring the interpretation and analysis of state and federal rules, laws and policies, procedures, guidelines and processes related to the retirement systems and plans, and the Deferred Compensation Program administered by the agency; 

OR 

A Bachelor’s degree in a business related field and two years of experience supervising a team in a high-volume production environment including hiring, training, coaching, mentoring, developing, evaluating, and motivating team members; 

OR 

Equivalent education and experience.

New class: Adopted June 9, 1999, Effective July 1, 1999.  Part of 6767 legislation #20 priority.  Replaces retirement Benefit Supervisor.
New class code:  (formerly  13238)  effective July 1, 2007
Revised title, definition, distinguishing characteristics, typical work, knowledge, abilities, desirable qualifications; adopted on an emergency basis May 8, 2014 and effective May 9, 2014