Benefits Specialist (SURS)

Since 1911, City Colleges of Chicago has been connecting students from across Chicago’s neighborhoods to economic opportunity. By offering a quality education at an unprecedented value, City Colleges provides our students and alumni with a pathway to upward mobility. City Colleges of Chicago is the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity—empowering its students to take part in building a stronger and more just city. As Illinois’ largest community college system, City Colleges is comprised of seven colleges and five satellite sites across Chicago.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Director-Benefits, the Benefits Specialist (SURS) is responsible for the comprehensive administration, coordination, analysis, and auditing of the State University Retirement System (SURS) pension plans for City College of Chicago. This role ensures consistent application and interpretation of benefits policies and plan provisions, monitors compliance with all SURS requirements and applicable federal, state, and local regulations, while aligning plan administration with City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) policies and standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Collaborates closely with the Director-Benefits to ensure the administration and implementation of State Universities Retirement System (SURS) pension plans in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) policies.
• Supports the day-to-day administration of SURS, exercising independent judgment in the interpretation and application of plan rules and regulatory requirements.
• Serves as the primary SURS subject matter expert and liaison for third-party administrators, SURS representatives, and internal stakeholders.
• Monitors, interprets, and applies SURS rules, regulations, and legislative changes to ensure ongoing organizational compliance and to recommend operational adjustments as needed.
• Analyzes, calculates, and audits the monthly 6% SURS Penalty Report, coordinating with the Office of Human Resources Assistant Business Manager to ensure accurate and timely payment processing.
• Analyzes, calculates, and audits the annual SURS Governors Penalty Report, partnering with the Assistant Business Manager to ensure compliance and timely remittance.
• Reviews, audits, analyzes, and reports annual salary data for Return-to-Work Annuitants in accordance with SURS reporting requirements.
• Responds to and resolves complex campus inquiries related to Return-to-Work Annuitants, exercising discretion and maintaining accurate documentation of determinations and outcomes.
• Develops and maintains SURS-related documentation, training materials, and reference resources to support consistent and compliant practices.
• Researches, analyzes, and resolves SURS-related cases and inquiries, including those involving employee correspondence, retirements, terminations, deaths, leaves of absence, separation refunds, prior service, and corrected new hire events.
• Assists in the management of CCCs SURS-related email accounts to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant responses.
• Provides expert guidance and interpretation to employees regarding SURS eligibility, benefits, and pension-related provisions.
• Collaborates with Payroll to ensure accurate processing and reconciliation of SURS transactions, including refunds and additional deductions, and the timely submission of required data to SURS.
• Identifies, analyzes, and resolves discrepancies identified in monthly Certification Without Transactions and Transactions Before Certification reports.
• Serves as a SURS liaison to internal departments, including Benefits, Payroll, and Employee Services, to ensure coordinated and accurate information exchange.
• Represents CCC in communications with SURS and other external entities regarding pension plan administration and compliance matters.
• Ensures effective and timely information flow between CCC administration, SURS and third-party administrators.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of departmental and organizational objectives.
• Upholds CCC Customer Service Excellence standards in all interactions

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To                       Director-Benefits 

Direct Supervision          None

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field required
• Two years of progressively responsible experience in benefits, accounting, payroll, recruitment/talent acquisition, general HR or related field. 
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered at the discretion of management.
• One to three years of experience with the State of Illinois State University Retirement System (SURS) or equivalent pension/retirement plan experience required
• Experience with HRIS systems, especially PeopleSoft, highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of mathematics and applicable laws, policies, rules, and procedures related to retirement and employee benefits
• Excellent analytical and research skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely
• Ability to interpret and apply benefits and retirement program policies, regulations, and plan provisions accurately.
• Ability to maintain precise and confidential benefits records and documentation
• Ability to identify, analyze, and resolve benefits-related issues and discrepancies in a timely manner
• Proficiency in performing mathematical calculations and reconciling financial and benefits data
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with employees at all levels of the organization and handle sensitive situations with tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality under minimal supervision.
• Self-directed and well-organized, with the ability to evaluate current processes and propose practical improvements.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively within a culturally diverse environment.

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) with advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint.

   

Salary Range: $49,561 - $60,000

Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as other factors such as internal equity.

Benefits information is found at https://www.ccc.edu/departments/Benefits/

WE OFFER: Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire. Thank you for your interest in CCC!