Examination Information: Examination Number: 9-1648-K, Job Bulletin Number:24-36
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: Open Competitive Opportunity
The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) administers and manages the more than $80+ billion retirement fund for the County of Los Angeles. We provide retirement, disability, and death benefits to eligible County Employees and their Beneficiaries, and collect, deposit, invest, and manage retirement funds collected from the County, Outside Districts, and County Employees.
LACERA is one of the largest county retirement associations in the United States with over 190,000 Members. Our Membership is comprised of individuals from a diverse range of careers, age groups, and ethnicity - all contributing to the greater welfare of Los Angeles County.
LACERA is located in Gateway Plaza at 300 North Lake Avenue in the beautiful City of Pasadena. The building is easily accessible from the Foothill Freeway (210) and the Metro Lake Station. We offer convenient free parking for staff members in our secure structure adjacent to the building in addition to a robust rideshare program providing commuting alternatives such as ride-matching, vanpool, carpool, parking services and more. Prioritizing health, well-being, and sustainability, Gateway Plaza is a Class “A” office building, LEED Gold Certified and EPA Energy Star Certified. With a Walkability Score of 91, LACERA staff members are able to easily enjoy the approximately 150 shops, food, and dining options that make up the popular South Lake Avenue District.
Our Members dedicate their careers contributing to the welfare of Los Angeles County. For their service, the County contributes to their promised benefits, and LACERA is dedicated to serving them in return throughout their career and their life afterwards. If you are interested in being part of this rewarding team, LACERA invites you to apply!
LACERA Mission: To produce, protect, and provide the promised benefits to our members.
LACERA Vision: Empowering our members to enjoy a healthy and secure retirement.
LACERA Values: Accountability, Collaboration, Inclusivity, Innovation, Integrity, Transparency
Our Core Values: I ACT (Integrity, Inclusivity, Innovation, Accountability, Collaboration, and Transparency), serve as our cultural guide and foundation in meeting our mission. As a member-focused government agency, we abide by our core values to ensure the public's trust, operate efficiently and cost effectively, and provide our members their promised benefits.
Benefits include a cafeteria benefit plan (14.5%-17% of monthly salary), annual leave, defined benefit retirement plan, Savings Plan (401k), Deferred Compensation Plan (457), 13 paid holidays per year, savings plan, a hybrid work schedule, tuition reimbursement, and a ride share program. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!
ABOUT THE POSITION:
The positions are located in the Disability Retirement Services Division (DRS). The DRS Division is responsible for investigating and evaluating disability retirement applications from active, retired, and deferred members of LACERA. Positions allocable to this class make recommendations approving or denying service and non-service-connected disability retirements, under the supervision of the Disability Retirement Specialist Supervisor.
Responsibilities include gathering medical, personnel, and other relevant records, conducting interviews, and writing Disability Retirement Evaluation Reports. Specialists will prepare files for review by Board Panel Physicians and arrange Independent Medical Examinations (IME). Once information is received, specialists compile a Disability Packet for review by in-house legal counsel and management before submitting to the Board of Retirement (BOR).
Incumbents must possess knowledge of disability retirement/workers' compensation settlement practices, methods, and procedures; applicable laws, rules, and regulations affecting the authorization of disability/workers' compensation benefits; and knowledge of LACERA and County policies and procedures.
Work schedule: This full-time position is required to work a 5/40 schedule (e.g. an eight (8) hour day, Monday through Friday). LACERA offers a hybrid work environment, and this position may be eligible to telework up to three (3) days per week depending on the needs of the Disability Retirement Services Division and LACERA.
CERTIFICATION BONUS: Any permanent, full-time employee working in this classification possessing a valid Workers' Compensation Claims Professional (WCCP) Designation Certification issued by the State of California is entitled to a Certification Bonus equal two (2) salary schedules (approximately 5.5%) as provided by the Los Angeles County Step Pay Plan.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and one (1) year of experience in an assignment requiring investigation of worker's compensation claims or investigating disability retirement applications for a public or private entity
-OR-
Two (2) years of experience at the level of a Retirement Benefits Specialist III researching and resolving retirement benefit claims and inquiries.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- At least two (2) years of experience in the investigation of workers' compensation, personal injury, or long-term disability claims for an insurance company, or comparable investigative experience with a law firm, law enforcement agency, or other public or private entity.
- Demonstrated experience counseling individuals regarding disability, workers' compensation, insurance, long-term disability, or other benefit options.
- Demonstrated experience conducting interviews of applicants for disability retirement, workers' compensation, insurance, or long-term disability claims.
- Demonstrated experience with medical terminology in a professional setting identifying, reviewing, and analyzing various medical, employment, workers compensation, insurance or long-term disability claim files, summarizing the findings, and accurately documenting medical diagnoses.
- Demonstrated experience identifying, analyzing, and indexing relevant medical, personnel and return-to-work or similar records.
- Demonstrated experience writing investigative reports.
- Demonstrated experience in case management and handling a moderate to high volume caseload at various stages of process.
- A valid WCCP Designation Certification issued by the State of California.
TO APPLY ONLINE GO TO: governmentjobs.com or visit www.lacera.com and click on the Careers link.
