Junior Pension & Benefits Officer - Jobs in Winnipeg, MB

Job Description

The Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Benefits Program provides pension and long-term disability benefits to employees of the City of Winnipeg and eight other participating employers. In addition, Program staff also administer the Winnipeg Police Pension Plan (approximately 2,500 Members), and life insurance plans for both Civic and Police Members. The Member Services section delivers plan administration services to all pension and group life insurance plans under administration.Reporting to the Director of Member Services, the Junior Pension & Benefits Officer is responsible for overseeing pension and benefit administration activities related to retirement, changes to employment status, and deaths in accordance with plan texts, established service standards, policies and procedures, and legal and regulatory requirements. Performance of this responsibility is critical to the timely and accurate payment of pension and benefits. Specific responsibilities include the review and approval of pension and benefit calculations and signing of option letters that bind the plans. This position is also responsible to identify and escalate issues and support the Pension & Benefits Officer (WAPSO 3) in processing more complex pension and benefits administration tasks.Serving as a liaison for plan Members is important in this role, as is supervising and providing training and guidance to clerical support staff. This position is required to have current knowledge of pension legislation, regulatory acts, and issues to ensure compliance. Interpretation of actuarial opinions and correspondence and guidelines published by Manitoba’s Pension Commission and the Canada Revenue Agency is also required.As the Junior Pension & Benefits Officer you will:

• Approve and sign option letters that bind the plans under administration.
• Inform and advise members and their beneficiaries of comprehensive plan and member-specific information upon which the member may make life decisions (e.g., pension options, termination of employment) by referring to plan texts, internal policies and procedures, and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate plan provisions, confidential member data, and benefit entitlements in person, by telephone, or in writing. Communications are legally binding on the plans.
• Facilitate quarter-end issuance of Pension Adjustment Reversals (PARS) for terminating pension plan beneficiaries by utilizing reports generated by the Information Systems section, together with transactional data generated by the Refund Clerk.
• Respond to enquiries from plan members regarding Additional Voluntary Contributions, effectively conveying the rules prescribed in the plan text and the tax implications of making Additional Voluntary Contributions. Monitor individual contributions received to ensure they do not exceed limits prescribed in the Income Tax Act, and initiates refunds as necessary.
• Coordinate processes related to pension and group life insurance plan contributions during a leave of absence. Approve calculation of required contributions, communicate with members to convey information upon which the member will make a decision either to continue or discontinue contributions, perform regular reconciliations and approve refund of overpayments.
• Coordinate the preparation of interest calculations, payment vouchers and coding instructions required to process pension payroll, and authorize pension and benefit payments.
• Verify that member files and system databases are updated accurately with respect to member and payment data, and supporting documentation
• Organize, delegate, prioritize and monitor work assignments to ensure delivery of prompt, accurate information and payments to members and beneficiaries.
• Check calculations for accuracy.
• Check Member and beneficiary communications for accuracy.
• Check payment vouchers and payroll coding sheets for accuracy.
• Provide training and ongoing guidance on the preparation of calculations and communications.
• Provide performance feedback to the staff position responsible for delivering Member Service Clerks’ performance reviews.
• Identify and escalate complex plan administration matters and Member issues to a Pension & Benefits Officer.
• Support Pension & Benefit Officers to resolve Member issues through research and analysis of plan texts and legislation, preparation of calculations using prescribed procedures, and drafting of correspondence.
• Support Pension & Benefit Officer(s) to arrange and deliver pension and benefits seminars.
• Assist in developing and executing procedural modifications to improve Member services.

Your education and qualifications include:

• Diploma in Business Administration or related business field of study or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Completion or attainment of the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist Program (CEBS) Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) designation from Dalhousie University within three years.

• Two years of experience in defined benefit pension administration.

• Proficiency in the mathematical concepts and applications used in the administration of defined benefit pensions.

• Highly-developed and demonstrated analytical, research, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to effectively and efficiently resolve Member concerns and inquiries.

• Strong communication and relationship building skills—including written and oral communication—with the ability to present information clearly and professionally.

• Demonstrated excellent organization and time-management skills, with the ability to multi-task and meet competing and multiple deadlines while maintaining high-level service and coordinate clerical staff in order to attain desired results.

• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office, with advanced Excel skills.

• Proven self-starter, operating with a strong sense of urgency.

• Ability to represent WCEBP in a professional manner at all times, including respecting and maintaining confidentiality and privacy of all matters and Members.

• A flexible approach to work and a positive attitude, including the willingness and ability to learn and adapt to change.

• Thorough and detailed knowledge of the pension and group life insurance plan provisions, Manitoba’s Pension Benefits Act, the relevant sections of the Income Tax Act, and WCEBP’s pension administration system, policies and procedures (within 12 months).

Conditions of employment:

• The successful applicant must maintain legal eligibility to work in Canada. If the successful applicant possesses a work permit, it is their responsibility to ensure the permit remains valid.
• A Police Information Check satisfactory to the employer will be required from the applicant(s) or successful candidate(s), at their expense. To obtain Police Information Check information please visit www.winnipeg.ca/police
• Prior to commencement of employment, the successful applicant will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination by providing a Government of Manitoba issued QR Code and photo identification.
• Applicants will be required to undergo proficiency testing to determine their knowledge, skills and abilities as they relate to the qualifications of the position.

CORE COMPETENCIES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF WINNIPEG:

• Citizen & Customer Focus
• Respecting Diversity
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity and Trust
• Results Oriented

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