Retirement Services Specialist

This position is responsible for performing all retirement-related functions for Charter Impact’s clients.

As Retirement Services Specialist, this position acts as the lead project coordinator for all STRS and PERS auditing, reporting and reconciling in collaboration with the Payroll Team and Accounting Teams.

Additionally, this position is responsible for assisting Payroll Specialists with payroll-related functions for Charter Impact’s clients, such as entering new hires, employee changes, monthly STRS / PERS / 403B reporting, filing and mailing, and client communication.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Act as primary liaison on behalf of clients with the County Offices of Education and CalSTRS (California State Teacher’s Retirement System) / CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System). Respond to County Offices of Education and/or clients regarding escalated issues and questions with accurate and updated information, while interpreting and applying the provisions of the CalSTRS laws, rules and policies. Gather and analyze data and draw logical conclusions to make sound decisions to resolve reporting issues.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation pertaining to the retirement plans for all clients’ employees.
• Process, review, audit, make corrections, and reconcile STRS / PERS / 403b related input; and work with Payroll Team to resolve STRS / PERS / 403b issues.
• Enter CalPERS contributions directly in the CalPERS website (if applicable)
• Work closely with Accounting Teams to answer all questions regarding retirement plans.
• Research and implement changes and update reports in CalPERS and CalSTRS websites and communicate to Retirement Services Supervisor and Payroll Team management as needed.
• Assist clients with STRS / PERS / 403b questions or concerns and, if needed, direct them to CalSTRS.
• Upload F496 files to SEW (if applicable). Prepare, maintain, and correct errors in Macro text files and uploads to CalSTRS website.
• Create reports and submit to the County Offices of Education, adhering to strict deadlines.
• Monitor and manage CalSTRS and CROWE audits for the client.
• Update clients on compensation limit changes real time.
• Upload necessary documents requested by the County Offices of Education.
• Assist and provide technical reporting training to assigned Payroll Team staff.
• May assist with Clerk related duties as directed:
  • Create, update, and distribute payroll calendars to clients
  • Send out payroll due date reminders to clients
  • Assist with reviewing paperwork and entering new hires and changes into the payroll systems, such as: address changes, pay changes, W-4 changes, insurance/retirement deduction changes prior to transition to Paycor.
  • For all new hires, research STRS website for membership type.
  • Communicate with clients to gather missing documents or information
  • Assist with folding & stuffing payroll
  • Schedule FedEx pickup of payroll packets
  • Assist with filing payroll documents on internal server
  • Running reports for clients as requested
  • Complete other duties or projects as directed by supervisor

Generally, any combination of education that would provide the required knowledge and skills for successful performance would qualify.  A typical method of demonstrating these requirements would be:

EDUCATION:  A high school diploma with equivalent work experience is required, but a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, public administration or a related field from an accredited college or university is preferred.

EXPERIENCE:  One (1) year of related work experience.

KNOWLEDGE OF: 

• Purposes, methods, and practices of financial and accounting record keeping
• Microsoft Office (intermediate/advanced skills with Excel is required)
• Proper English usage and grammar.

Candidates must also have the ability to: 

• Maintain, encourage and participate in a close and highly collaborative team environment
• Adapt quickly to change
• Learn the appropriate rules, regulations and technical procedures specifically related to processing payroll for non-profit organizations and charter schools
• Understand and carry out directions in an independent manner
• Perform arithmetic calculations accurately and rapidly
• Prepare a variety of accurate financial reports and summaries
• Identify and correct errors in mathematical computations and financial documents
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written forms
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with both client and Charter Impact staff

Experience with the following is a plus:

• Ability to analyze data and solve non-routine problems using judgment and following STRS/PERS rules
• Paycor
• Sage Intacct
• Any third-party payroll database experience, such as ADP, Paychex, Intuit.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Requires prolonged standing, some bending, stooping, and stretching. Requires eyesight correctable to 20/20 to read numbers, reports, and computer terminals. Requires hearing within normal range for telephone use.   

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS:
Ability to give, receive, and analyze information, formulate work plans, prepare written materials, and articulate goals and action plans. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Employees in this position will be required to: 
• Work indoors in a standard office environment
• Occasionally work outside of normal workdays and office hours to meet deadlines
• Travel may be required for professional development events and to client locations
• Directly communicate with clients