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Job Description
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 Metro's 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 Metro's 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- Bachelor's 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
- 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 Clerk's 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
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 Metro's 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 Year's 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
Closing Date/Time: 6/12/2026 5:00 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority - LA Metro
Show moreLos Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is unique among the nation’s transportation agencies. It serves as transportation planner and coordinator, designer, builder and operator for one of the country’s largest, most populous counties. More than 9.6 million people – nearly one-third of California’s residents – live, work, and play within its 1,433-square-mile service area. Our goal is to provide safe, clean, reliable, on-time, courteous service dedicated to providing Los Angeles County with a world class transportation system.
Metro moves Los Angeles County. Our team operates one of the country’s largest transportation systems – and is planning, designing and constructing its expansion. We are a comprehensive transportation agency, with programs in transit, highways, active transportation and more. The agency’s internationally recognized sustainability programs are based on visionary environmental policies and are part of everything we do.
Come Aboard!
Join Metro’s team of dedicated transportation professionals and help provide the people of Los Angeles County with one of the most effective and efficiently operated mass transit systems in the entire country. Metro offers a variety of employment opportunities that present exciting challenges and growth opportunities in an outstanding work environment.
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