Retirement Support Specialist

--- PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN ---       

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN EXISTING EXAMINATION.  IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY APPLIED FOR THE RETIREMENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST I (15-1344-01) READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REAPPLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT.
    
The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you are currently on the list and you choose to reapply you will forfeit your current rank and score. Your new score/disposition will replace your current score and rank. In order to reapply for this position, please contact the examination analyst at Shelisa.jackson@acgov.org to have your previous application released back to you.  

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will be merged with the scores from the previous list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.   The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended. 

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Postmarks are not accepted.  Applications will only be accepted on-line.

 THE AGENCY

The Alameda County Employee's Retirement Association (ACERA) is a retirement system organized under the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937, which provides retirement, disability and death benefits to the employees, retirees and former employees of the County of Alameda, and certain other participating public employees. The retirement plan provides lifetime benefits to members of the retirement system who meet the minimum age and length-of-service requirements and is a significant and fundamental part of the comprehensive benefits package ACERA provides to eligible employees .

Current Services

Over the years, ACERA has expanded its member services to include employees of the Alameda County-based Superior Court of California and the five special districts of the County, as well as to administer retiree health care, dental care, vision care, and supplemental cost-of-living benefits.   Mission To provide ACERA members and employers with flexible, cost-effective, participant-oriented benefits through prudent investment management and superior member services.

Commitment (Board and Staff)

To carry out our Mission through a competent, professional, impartial and open decision making process. In providing benefits and services, all persons will be treated fairly and with courtesy and respect. Investments will be managed to balance the need for security with superior performance. We expect excellence in all activities. We will also be accountable and act in accordance with the law.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision, to provide support functions to ACERA; provide a variety of information and referral services to ACERA clients; and to perform other related clerical duties as required.

This is a single position classification unique to ACERA, and reports to the Assistant Benefits Manager. The incumbent is responsible for eliciting and providing information to a large volume of ACERA members and deals directly with all official visitors, including ACERA Board members, consultants and attorneys.

Either I

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the class of Specialist Clerk I or an equivalent or higher level clerical class in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of two years of full-time clerical experience which included public contact in a California Public Retirement System.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the Minimum Qualification in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

the most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Basic math and spelling.
• Alpha and numeric filing systems.
• Provisions of the 1937 County Employees Retirement Law or similar statutes.
• Word processing and spreadsheet applications and data entry skills.
• Calculators and their functions.
• Correct usage of English, including punctuation, spelling and grammar.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with members, the Board, the general public and co-workers.
• Evaluate individual situations and make appropriate decisions.
• Interview to facilitate solicitation of required information.
• Understand and follow complex oral and written directions and procedures.
• Communicate orally and in writing.
• Write and/or print legibly.
• Make decisions and take initiative.
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity.
• Work independently.

The examination will consist of the following steps:

1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process. 

2) A written examination which will be qualifying only. Those candidates scoring highest on the written exam will move on to the next step in the examination process.

3) An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.  We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN :

Last Day for Filing:                                        Monday, June 27, 2016

Review of Minimum Requirements:            Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Written Examination:                                    Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Oral Interviews:                                             TBD

Deadline Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes. For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Welfare Benefits

• Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
• Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
• County Allowance
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Group Auto/Home
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied. 

Shelisa Jackson, Human Resources Analyst II
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
510-208-3954
www.acgov.org/hrs

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer