Considering internal candidates at this time. Deadline for internal candidates to apply is January 27, 2025.
INTRODUCTION
The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) provides death, disability, and pension retirement benefits to employees of local governments and school districts in Illinois (with the exception of the City of Chicago and Cook County). We are the second largest—and best funded—statewide public pension system in Illinois, IMRF serves approximately 3,000 municipal employers in the State. We are an award-winning organization, located in Oak Brook. IMRF is looking for top talent, for a direct hire opportunity that is benefit eligible. If you are passionate about Analyst duties and meet the requirements, we want to hear from you.
SUMMARY
This position provides support to the Disability Department Supervisor and staff, providing procedural training and documentation as well as conducting QA reviews to determine compliance with established goals. The Disability Department Analyst will be responsible for preparing disability cases for the appeal process before the Benefit Review Committee (BRC). The Disability Department Analyst will also coordinate scheduling the BRC appeals cases with the consultants, management, attorneys, members and the IMRF legal department. This position may be assigned claim production responsibilities, as needed. The assignments given to individual Benefits Department Analysts will differ depending on the needs of the department. This position reports to the Supervisor.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide the necessary support to enable the department to achieve established service goals.
• Train new Examiner staff and other IMRF staff as requested on policies, procedures and IMRF’s administration of Article 7 of the Illinois Pension Code. Analysts reporting to the Disability Supervisor are also responsible for administration and training of Article 20 of the Illinois Pension Code.
• Process and investigate total and permanent disability claims. Prepare temporary and total and permanent disability claims for the Benefit Review Committee hearing.
• Conduct new and ongoing procedural training of department staff, utilizing internal and external resources, including staff, Disability Supervisor and Senior Examiners. Prepare procedural training materials and syllabi, identify training issues and work with Analyst, Supervisor or Manager to determine a training plan.
• Maintain current knowledge of benefit, legislative, and administrative changes, as well as current events, including issues that impact IMRF members. Assist in providing updates to department staff.
• Assist the department staff in resolving difficult claim situations; provide feedback to staff to assist them in developing the necessary skills to resolve difficult claims going forward.
• Perform claim verifications for the claims processed by the Examiners.
• Conduct pre and post payment quality analysis (QA) reviews to determine compliance with established goals for promptness and accuracy, with a primary focus of manually processed claims and adjustments. Provide feedback and training to staff based on results.
• Analyze claim QA trend data. Create and maintain monthly reports for the Disability Department.
• Assist the Supervisors in maintaining up-to-date written procedures for all activities of the department. Assist in providing updates to staff.
• Provide technical support and guidance to Examiners and Senior Examiners. Review and report on problem situations as requested by the Disability Supervisor, Analyst or Manager.
• Foster a positive, team centered culture in support of our Values and individual accountability (Change Champion).
• Support achievement of the organization’s Journey of Excellence, Mission, Vision, and Strategic Objectives of IMRF.
• Maintain current knowledge of the operation of all other departments in IMRF as it relates to the Disability Department operations. Act as liaison between disability and other IMRF departments.
• Conduct research for the Disability Department. This requires knowledge of the various resources, and the ability to determine which of these resources should be used in order to locate diverse types of information. Resources include – Horizon, employer paper files, board minutes, Illinois Pension Code, IMRF Legal Interpretations, Authorized Agent's Manual, external documentation, member employment records, payroll records, employer resolutions, payment information, social security records, Worker’s Compensation records, Illinois state statutes, and IMRF policies and procedures.
• As directed by the Disability Supervisors, provide back-up to the Examiner staff, and perform claims processing, as needed.
• Other duties and special projects may be assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no formal supervisory responsibilities. However, this position is required to provide day to day guidance and leadership to the examiners. This position may do workload reassignments, as needed. This position will be asked to provide input to management staff regarding training needs, policy, and procedure revisions, as well as day-to- day performance evaluations of staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Five years’ experience as an IMRF Examiner/Senior Examiner. Performance history of meeting or exceeding unit standards.
Or
Associate’s Degree with 3 years of work-related experience
Or
Bachelor’s Degree with 1 year of work-related experience
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Expert knowledge of the IMRF processing system, Pension Code, department standards and benefit structure.
• Detail oriented.
• Strong project work skills.
• Strong mathematical skills.
• Strong statistical interpretation and reasoning skills.
• Technical writing and documentation skills.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and written concepts on varying levels.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong customer service skills – external and internal.
• Ability to stay organized, calm, and constructive when handling stressful situations, demonstrate tolerance, appropriate demeanor, and patience with all members, employers, and staff, and interact in a manner that shows genuine concern and respect for others.
• Ability to work unexpected overtime.
IMRF Salary & Benefits:
The expected annual salary range for this role is $60,485 - $64,114. Please note the salary information is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. The range listed is just one component of IMRF's total compensation package for employees. Other factors include the following benefits:
• Generous insurance benefits, including medical and dental
• 35-hour base work week, Monday - Friday
• Death, disability, and pension retirement benefits as a member of IMRF
• Paid vacation, 12-13 paid holidays and 2 personal days
• Business casual attire
• Award-winning organizational approach to performance excellence
