This examination will remain open until LACERA's hiring needs are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: Open Competitive Job Opportunity
EXAMINATION INFORMATION: Examination Number: 9-9212-I, Job Bulletin Number: 24-02
COMPENSATION: $11,647.64 - $17,629.65 Monthly
Placement within this salary range depends on qualifications. This position is subject to the provisions of the County's Management Appraisal and Performance Plan (MAPP) Tier II.
The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) administers and manages the more than $75 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 Gold Line 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 dedicating 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!
Benefits include a cafeteria benefit plan (14.5%-17% of monthly salary), annual leave, defined benefit retirement plan, Savings Plan (401k), and Deferred Compensation Plan (457) (both with employer matching up to 4%), 13 paid holidays per year, a hybrid work schedule, and a ride share program.
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 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.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
The current vacancy is in the Benefits Section of the Legal Division. This position will be part of a team of attorneys, legal analysts, and secretarial support that provide legal advice and representation on benefits issues to LACERA and its Boards of Retirement and Investments, the Executive Office, the Member Operations Group, and other divisions as needed in the performance of LACERA’s fiduciary duty of loyalty and prudence in providing benefits to members and their beneficiaries. Issues will include interpretation of the California Constitution, County Employees Retirement Law of 1937, the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013, the Internal Revenue Code, and other benefit eligibility and delivery laws, regulations, policies, and procedure that may affect individual members and large groups of members. The position will involve research, analysis, writing, collaboration, and presentation to the Board of Retirement and its committees. The position will advise the Board of Retirement on administrative appeals by members. The Legal Division is comprised of a Chief Counsel, Senior Staff Counsels, Staff Counsels, Legal Analysts, Legal Secretaries, and will soon add a Director of Compliance. Legal staff work in one of four sections: Litigation and Employment, Investments and Commercial Transactions, Benefits, and Disability.
STAFF COUNSEL ROLE:
The Benefits Staff Counsel position reports to LACERA's Senior Benefits Staff Counsel. The role of Benefits Staff Counsel is responsible for the following duties:
- Providing legal support to the Board of Retirement, the Executive Office, the Member Operations Group, and other LACERA Divisions as needed on a wide range of benefits matters, including benefits eligibility (other than disability), the interpretation and application of the California Constitution, County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL), the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Law of 2013 (PEPRA), Internal Revenue Code, and other relevant state and federal laws and regulations and LACERA policies and procedures.
- Working closely with Senior Benefits Staff Counsel, other attorneys (including outside counsel), and staff on complex and sensitive benefits, ethical and fiduciary matters and assists in advising staff on significant and challenging benefits legal issues.
- Preparing memos and presenting them to the Board of Retirement for action or counseling on benefits issues and topics in open and closed session, including development and refinement of policies, procedures, and practices.
- Advising staff and the Board of Retirement in connection with administrative appeals filed by members on benefits issues.
- Processing domestic relations orders submitted by members in connection with the split of pension rights and related issues, including guardianship, and conservatorship, and reviewing Powers of Attorney.
- Supervising the activities of legal staff and outside counsel on benefits issues.
- Providing legal support to the Boards, Committees, and staff at meetings in the absence of Senior Benefits Staff Counsel and Chief Counsel.
VACANCY INFORMATION:
The current vacancy is in the Benefits Section of the Legal Division. The resulting Eligible Register can be used to fill both current and future vacancies throughout the Legal Division.
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 Legal Division and LACERA.