Job Posting

The primary responsibility of this position is analyzing, researching and gathering documents and other information that allow for the accurate and timely processing of benefit claims or optional service adjustments.

Education Requirements:

An associate’s degree in math, statistics, accounting, education, business administration or the equivalent knowledge and work experience is required.

Experience: 

Requires two years of responsible experience with duties that include business mathematics, fundamental accounting practices and customer service.  Applicants with an associate’s degree are required to have only one year of experience.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for processing and calculating one type of claim (retirement, refund, disability, or survivor benefit) or calculating five types of optional service adjustments with proficiency.  The appropriate procedural manuals/statutes/rules should be used to accomplish these tasks. This position is responsible for responding to inquiries regarding benefit claims or optional service adjustments and working with the Benefits Supervisor to accomplish assigned tasks. In addition, this position provides technical and clerical support to the Benefits Department.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Knowledge of business mathematics is required as well as the ability to comprehend and apply the statutes and laws related to retirement, refund, disability or survivor benefit claims.  This position requires the ability to research and review members’ records in order to accurately assist members and process claims.  In addition, this position requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to interact effectively with other staff and the public.

Selection Criteria:

Analytical Skills

Analyzes information and reviews problems thoroughly; determines the nature and relationship of situations.

Communication Skills

Organizes ideas and speaks effectively in public situations, to small groups, or one-on-one as well as demonstrates good listening skills including the ability to receive, attend to, interpret and respond to verbal messages and non-verbal cues when conversing with others.  Composes and edits specified documents in a clear, concise, and well-structured manner.

Computational Skills

Selects the appropriate calculation (or formula) to solve a specific problem and accurately derives an answer by using mathematical calculations.

Interpersonal Skills

Interacts with others in a positive, open, and cooperative manner. 

Job Knowledge and Experience

Has completed the specified amount of time performing the essential duties of the job and has completed specified degrees, coursework, or training programs to perform the job.  Possesses a body of information or level of understanding necessary to complete assigned responsibilities.

Organizational Skills

Organizes work tasks in an efficient manner; able to complete assignments on time and accurately by prioritizing tasks and monitoring their completion.

Productivity

Defines and maintains a satisfactory rate of output to achieve the desired results.

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Job Description

Purpose:

Under the supervision of the Benefits Supervisor, the Benefits Analyst I is responsible for processing and calculating one type of claim (retirement, refund, disability, or survivor benefit) or calculating five types of optional service adjustments with proficiency.  The appropriate procedural manuals/statutes/rules should be used to accomplish these tasks. This position is responsible for responding to inquiries regarding benefit claims or optional service adjustments and working with the Benefits Supervisor to accomplish assigned tasks. In addition, this position provides technical and clerical support to the Benefits Department.

Nature and Scope:

This position is responsible for analyzing, researching and gathering documents and other information that allow for the accurate and timely processing of benefit claims or optional service adjustments. The incumbent must possess a basic knowledge of the assigned benefit calculations or optional service adjustments and routine rollover information.  The incumbent must also be familiar with Article 16 of the Illinois Pension Code as it relates to the assigned benefit claims or optional service adjustments.  In addition, the incumbent will assist with mailings, handling telephone inquiries, resolving refund discrepancies and processing of Social Security and divorce estimate requests. 

The incumbent must possess organizational skills, sound analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and the public both verbally and through written correspondence.

The greatest challenge of this position is to process the assigned benefit claims or optional service adjustments in an accurate and timely manner while developing further knowledge of other claim types or optional service adjustments and applicable sections of Article 16 of the Illinois Pension Code.

Principal Accountabilities:

1. Organize refund, disability, survivor benefits, and/or retirement applications for claim processing as needed.
2. Provide technical and clerical support to the Benefits Department including but not limited to preparing letters for review and approval, mailing, scanning, and recording receipt of documents.
3. Review daily work and determine how work should be distributed throughout the unit including identifying “Rush” requests.
4. Calculate one type of claim or five types of optional service adjustments using the appropriate applications for verification by another analyst.  Review, analyze, and interpret homebound documentation, W2 forms, Social Security Itemized Statement of Earnings and other pertinent documentation sent to TRS from the member or their employer with assistance from more senior staff members. 
5. Audit member records to determine eligibility for benefits or optional service.
6. Respond to inquiries and correspondence received from members and internal staff. Modify standard letters or create customized letters, as needed.
7. Review and submit Excess Contribution Refunds and 1% Survivor Benefit Refunds. Follow up with members, school districts, retirement systems, and financial institutions as necessary.
8. Participate in the Mandatory Distribution (70 ½) research as needed.
9. Participate in the Member Accumulated Contribution research project as needed.
10. Print reciprocal service histories via the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and State Universities Retirement System (SURS) website and maintain a follow up system with the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund (CTPF) via email or phone contact when required or requested.
11. Calculate removals of at least five types of optional service adjustments where no payments have been made as needed.
12. Receive, review and process out of state verification forms (OSV’s) regarding past Illinois teaching service.  Send responses to member or employer as required.  Document actions performed via the STAR database.
13. Prepare Social Security income verifications as needed.
14. Assist in special projects using the agile scrum methodology as needed.
15. Participate in training as required.
16. Perform other duties as assigned.