Requisition No: 828522

Agency: Management Services

Working Title: BENEFITS SPECIALIST - 72002829

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 72002829

Salary: $34,331.66

Posting Closing Date: 05/15/2024

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Benefits Specialist
Division of Retirement
State of Florida Department of Management Services
This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

Division of Retirement:
The mission of the Division of Retirement is to deliver a high quality, innovative, and cost-effective retirement system to Florida Retirement System (FRS) pension plan members and their employers, so FRS members can plan for their financial future. The FRS is the fourth-largest public state retirement system in the nation, one that is comprised of more than one million active and retired employees. We strive to exceed our customer’s expectations by providing accurate and timely information to assist customers in making informed retirement decisions… that’s where you come in!
Position Overview and Responsibilities:

As a Benefits Specialist, you will be responsible for interpreting and applying applicable laws, rules, and regulations necessary to administer the survivor benefit provisions for Florida Retirement System (FRS) benefits. Additional key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Review and process retirement applications for survivors, beneficiary designation forms, and other documents for survivor benefit accounts. Audit and reconcile retirement data to ensure data integrity and accurately calculate death benefits. Determine survivor benefits or Health Insurance Subsidy (HIS) eligibility based on analysis of plan membership, beneficiary designations, service credit, and option selection.
Provide customer service by phone, email, or personal interviews with families of deceased members, agencies, and attorneys. Compose complete, accurate, and grammatically correct correspondence, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Complete reports and proof of life projects in a timely manner. Use proof of life project data to verify continued eligibility for benefits. May serve on committees and in workgroups to improve or maintain bureau or division wide administration of the retirement system.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar usage.
• Knowledge of basic mathematical principles.
• Ability to understand and apply retirement rules, regulations, and policies.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze retirement data.
• Ability to write clear and concise correspondence.
• Ability to verbally communicate relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to use a personal computer.
• Ability to navigate the computer network.
• Knowledge of word processing.
• Ability to use various applications.
• Accountability, Communication, Empowerment, Flexibility, Integrity, Respect, Teamwork.

Minimum Qualifications:
Four years of professional experience in the areas of insurance, retirement or social security, administration, call center, customer service, fiscal work, statistics, personnel, or any other combination. A postsecondary degree may be used as an alternative for years of experience on a year-for-year basis.

Our Organization and Mission:
Under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, Secretary Pedro Allende and DMS’ Executive Leadership Team, the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) is a customer-oriented agency with a broad portfolio that includes the efficient use and management of real estate, procurement, human resources, group insurance, retirement, telecommunications, fleet, and federal property assistance programs used throughout Florida’s state government. It is against this backdrop that DMS strives to demonstrate its motto, “We serve those who serve Florida.”

Special Notes:
DMS is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience and transferrable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following provided email addresses:
DMS.Ability@dms.myflorida.com
DMS.Veterans@dms.myflorida.com
An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DMS Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 488-2707. DMS requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.