Retirement Counselor

Job Announcement

Counsels active and retired Fairfax County employees. Prepares retiree payroll, establishes and utilizes automated spreadsheets, prepares re-evaluation material for disabled members, computes costs for buy-back of prior service, and conducts/participates in retirement seminars. Responsibilities include:
 

• Counsels active Fairfax County and School System employees and survivors as to retirement benefits and procedures, and Federal and State tax regulations.
• Calculates retirement benefits for regular, service-connected disability, ordinary disability, vested or early retirees including participants in the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP).
• Balances active contribution and Federal tax withholding records.
• Responds to requests from the Retirement Boards of Trustees and various County agencies for information and special reports.
• Prepares evaluation material including scheduling of medical examinations for employees applying for disability retirement for the monthly Retirement Board of Trustees meetings.
• Computes costs for repurchase of prior service.
• Conducts or participates in retirement seminars.
• Responds to auditor requests, including review and update of data in preparation for and/or in response to the annual audit.

Possesses excellent oral and written communication skills, demonstrates a high level of professionalism, and exercises sound judgement skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks and take initiative in a fast-paced environment. Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and rapport with employees at all levels. Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

 

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of current legal trends and requirements affecting retirement administration;

Familiarity with worker's compensation and its implications for service-connected disability retirees;

Knowledge of, and ability to utilize, PC spreadsheet applications;

Ability to interpret and explain policies, ordinances and regulations;

Ability to analyze problems and make sound recommendations;

Ability to speak and write effectively;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County staff and the general public.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, personnel administration, or a related field.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, or related field.
• Experience with and knowledge of current legal trends and requirements affecting retirement administration.
• Experience with worker's compensation and its implications for service-connected disability retirees.
• Experience interpreting and explaining policies, ordinances, and regulations.
• Experience analyzing problems and making sound recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to speak and write effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county staff and the general public.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position works in a general office environment and must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE: 
Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
 
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.