MANAGER, PENSION AND BENEFITS

MANAGER, PENSION AND BENEFITS

Salary

$104,249.60 - $156,374.40 Annually

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Job Type

Regular Employee

Job Number

2401379

Cabinet

CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICE

Cost Center

5211 - PENSION & BENEFITS

Opening Date

05/28/2026

Closing Date

6/12/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Non-Contract

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Metro's mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

Manages assigned staff in the day-to-day operations of the Pension and Benefits Department, including the administration of group health and welfare benefits programs, open enrollment, retirement benefits, and payroll and personnel issues affecting the pension and benefits area; ensures staff is properly trained in all aspects of defined pension rules and regulations so that employees can make informed decisions when determining retirement selections.

Examples of Duties

• Plans, directs, manages, and coordinates the day-to-day work activities of assigned employees and staff on pension and benefits projects and programs, including processing retirement applications, enrolling employees in health benefits, assisting employees and retirees with insurance and pension questions/ issues, transmitting eligibility data to health plan vendors, overseeing the open enrollment process, and administering the deferred compensation programs, i.e., 401K and 457
• Evaluates, reviews, verifies, and approves retirement benefit packages; evaluates, reviews, and verifies retirement calculations
• Confirms accuracy of payments to union trust/pension funds and premium payments to insurance carriers
• Assists with negotiation of rates and services with benefits providers
• Assists Employee Relations with labor/management agreements by preparing analyses in support of negotiations and other administrative issues related to health benefits and pension benefits
• Develops performance objectives for pension and benefits programs
• Interprets and applies provisions of the collective bargaining agreements relative to health benefit eligibility
• Analyzes health benefit trends and practices related to Metro-sponsored plans
• Compiles and analyzes census data and prepares ad hoc reports
• Supports preparation of goals, objectives, and budget for Pension and Benefits non-departmental and administrative cost center
• Coordinates activities of Pension Plan Counsel, actuaries, and benefits consultants
• Develops and directs the training of Metro staff in the implementation of pension and benefits policies and practices
• Supports annual preparation and audit of Metros Pension Plans financial statements
• Analyzes benefits and recommends changes to the pension and benefits programs to maintain objectives and competitive position in the marketplace
• Prepares Board reports and other correspondence
• Performs special projects as required
• Accounts for assigned staff and personal compliance with all of Metros safety rules, polices, and procedures

May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelors Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field

Experience

• Six years of relevant experience or three years of relevant supervisory-level experience in the area of benefits administration, to include experience in health and welfare benefits administration in a public agency; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience administering self-administered defined benefit pension plans and/or group insurance benefit plans in both unionized and non-unionized environments
• Experience counseling employees and retirees on pension benefits and group insurance benefit plans
• Experience resolving complex questions and issues related to pension or benefits plans
• Experience conducting or responding to pension and benefits related audits

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices of pension, benefits, health, and welfare plans
• Applicable provisions of local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and labor/management agreements that pertain to various health, welfare, pension, and benefits plans and programs
• Principles of supervision
• Applicable business software applications

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Interpreting and applying pertinent laws, rules, and regulations of pension and benefits administration
• Coordinating daily work activities of assigned staff
• Compiling and analyzing complex data
• Handling highly confidential information
• Determining strategies to achieve goals
• Developing performance objectives
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Preparing comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees, former employees, and outside representatives

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Supervise subordinate staff
• Establish and adjust priorities
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority when classified as an Intermittent, Emergency, Annuitant, or Temporary employee, is assigned to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) or Board Clerks Office, and/or reporting directly to the LACMTA Board of Directors
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

(SH)

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro's Equal Employment Opportunity Program. Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metros website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.

Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro locations:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office

One Gateway Plaza

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Open: Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm

(Closed Sat & Sun)

Metro Talent Hub

8501 S. Evermont Place

Los Angeles, CA 90044

Open: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm

(Closed Sat & Sun)

East Los Angeles Customer Center

4501 B Whittier Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90022

Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm

(Closed Sun & Mon)

Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center

3183 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 174

Los Angeles, CA 90010

Open: Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm

(Closed Sat & Sun)

Rosa Parks Customer Center

Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station

11720 Wilmington Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90059

Open: Monday through Friday, 6am to 6:30pm

(Closed Sat & Sun)

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

• Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.

• Please refer to the applicable benefit type (Regular or Temporary)*

BENEFITS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES

Benefits cover probationary or regular full-time (working at least 40 hrs/week) employees of Metro.

We offer a range of high-quality medical, dental and vision plan options as well as health care spending accounts for you and your family. Metro will cover a significant portion of your health care premiums.

Medical/Dental/Vision Plan - Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance - PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance - 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays - 12 days a year: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Cesar E Chavez, Juneteenth,Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP) - Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.

Years of Service Annual Accrual

Hire date - 5 years 20 days

Beginning of 6th - 10th year 25 days

Beginning of 11th - 15th year 30 days

Beginning of 16th + years 35 days

Pension Plan - PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits: Transportation passes for employees and/or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.

BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

Temporary (Contingent) employees are eligible for the following benefits only:

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Public Pension Plan
• 457/401K Plan
• Flex Spending
• Paid Sick Time
• Fare Media
• Rideshare Subsidies
• Metro One Fitness membership

For more information on the Benefits Enrollment for Contingent Employees, please visit LA Metro's Pension & Benefits website at benefits.metro.net

01

Are you a current Metro employee?

• Yes
• No

02

If you indicated being a current Metro employee, please enter your employee badge number in the field below. If you selected "No" to the previous question, please enter "N/A."

03

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• I do not have education equivalent to grade 12
• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree from an accredited college or university
• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university
• Masters degree from an accredited college or university
• PhD from an accredited college or university

04

Please acknowledge that the following responses will be used to supplement and expand on the Work Experience section of your application. It is important to provide detailed answers and do not refer to or rely on a resume or other documentation as we will not review resumes to determine qualifications. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as accurate as possible. By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I agree and understand my resume will not be reviewed

05

Please select the number of years of relevant experience you have in the area of benefits administration, to include experience in health and welfare benefits administration in a public agency.

• No experience
• Less than 6 years
• 6 years or more, but less than 8 years
• 8 years or more, but less than 10 years
• 10 years or more

06

If you indicated having experience in the previous question, please describe your relevant experience and list the position title(s) and dates of employment in which you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please list "N/A" in the field below.

07

Please select the number of years of relevant supervisory-level experience you have in the area of benefits administration, to include experience in health and welfare benefits administration in a public agency.

• No supervisory-level experience
• less than 3 years
• 5 years or more, but less than 7 years
• 7 years or more, but less than 9 years
• 9 years or more

08

If you indicated having experience in the previous question, please describe your relevant supervisory-level experience and list the position title(s) and dates of employment in which you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please list "N/A" in the field below.]

09

Describe your relevant experience administering self-administered defined benefit pension plans and/or group insurance benefit plans in both unionized and non-unionized environments. Please list the position title(s) and dates of employment in which you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please list "N/A" in the field below.

10

Describe your relevant experience counseling employees and retirees on pension benefits and group insurance benefit plans. Please list the position title(s) and dates of employment in which you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please list "N/A" in the field below.

11

Describe your relevant experience resolving complex questions and issues related to pension or benefits plans. Please list the position title(s) and dates of employment in which you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please list "N/A" in the field below.

12

Describe your relevant experience conducting or responding to pension and benefits related audits. Please list the position title(s) and dates of employment in which you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please list "N/A" in the field below.

Required Question

Employer Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CA)

Address One Gateway Plaza

Los Angeles, California, 90012

Website https://www.metro.net/careers