CALIFORNIA STATE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
CAREER EXECUTIVE ASSIGNMENT
EXAMINATION ANNOUNCEMENT
CANCELLED

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DEPARTMENT: CALIFORNIA STATE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM RELEASE DATE: Friday, February 27, 2015
POSITION TITLE: Benefits and Services Executive Officer FINAL FILING DATE: Friday, March 20, 2015
CEA LEVEL: CEA C EXTENDED FINAL FILING DATE:
SALARY RANGE: $ 6,296.00 - $14,058.00 / Month BULLETIN ID: 02262015_1

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Under the general direction of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS), the Benefits and Services Executive Officer provides high level oversight and overall management of all retirement, disability and survivor benefits, member account services, benefits counseling and customer contact program operations for the System. The Benefits and Services Executive Officer acts as a policy advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, COO, and the Teachers' Retirement Board (TRB); is a member of CalSTRS Executive Staff; and is responsible for the vision, strategic direction, policy development and management of CalSTRS Benefits and Services Branch.

CalSTRS is currently transforming internal operations through a series of Business Renew projects, activities and initiatives. The Benefits and Services Executive Officer will serve as the project sponsor for the largest and most complex of these projects - Pension Solution, the replacement of CalSTRS core pension administration system. Because of the importance of the Pension Solution Project, sponsorship of this effort will comprise a significant portion of the selected individual's focus. As the Pension Solution project sponsor, the Benefits and Services Executive Officer must have a clear understanding of the core workload and challenges facing the project; have an understanding of why business decisions were made and long-term impacts of those decisions; and the capability to provide guidance and assistance to the project team. The Benefits and Services Executive Officer must also ensure that the project serves the goals of CalSTRS organization and ultimately, CalSTRS members.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Either I
Must be a current State civil service employee with permanent civil service status, as defined in Government Code Section 18546.

Or II
Must be a current or former employee of the Legislature, who resigned or was released from service within the last 12 months, and with two or more consecutive years of service as defined in Government Code Section 18990.

Or III
Must be a current or former nonelected exempt employee of the Executive Branch of government who resigned or was released from service within the last 12 months, and with two or more consecutive years of service (excluding those positions for which the salaries are set by statute) as defined by Government Code Section 18992.

Or IV
Must be a person retired from the United States military, honorably discharged from active military duty with a service-connected disability, or honorably discharged from active duty as defined in Government Code Section 18991.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:
(1) Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.

(2) Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.
These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION(S)
The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must specifically address the desirable qualifications listed below.

1.) Experience in an administrative or executive capacity in the area of policy and program direction related to retirement or related programs, and the demonstrated ability to monitor workloads and accomplish stated objectives.

2.) Demonstrated communication skills and experience presenting issues and complex information before a wide range of audiences, internal and external, including a Board or similar body.

3.) Ability to effectively partner with diverse groups (executive management and staff at various levels and external stakeholders) to form collaborative partnerships to develop workable solutions.

4.) Ability to analyze complex program implementation issues and develop effective courses of action for resolution, including skill in process improvement through the formulation, development, vetting and implementation of new or revised business processes or rules.

5.) Experience as a project sponsor for cross functional or major transformational projects, including establishing and encouraging positive relationship with steering committee entity. Ability to act as an advocate and champion the vision of the project, while advocating for identification, management and transparency of risks throughout the project life cycle.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION
A minimum rating of 70% must be attained to obtain list eligibility. Hiring interviews may be conducted with the most qualified candidates. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results. The result of this examination will be used only to fill the position of Benefits and Services Executive Officer, with the CALIFORNIA STATE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

The Results of this examination will be used only to fill this position and may be used to fill subsequent vacancies for this position for a period of up to twelve months.

The examination process will consist of an application, resume, or Statement of Qualifications evaluation conducted by a designated screening committee. The screening committee will use predetermined evaluation criteria derived from the knowledge, skills and abilities and desirable qualifications listed on this announcement. Candidates should ensure they are thorough when describing their experience relative to the areas described. Interviews may be conducted with only the most qualified candidates.

FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Interested applicants must submit:

Applications must be submitted by the final filing date to:

CALIFORNIA STATE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, Personnel Services/Human Resources
100 Waterfront Place, West Sacramento, CA 95605
Thuy Le | 916.414.4991 | tle@calstrs.com

SPECIAL TESTING
If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, mark the appropriate box in Part 2 of the "Examination Application." You will be contacted to make specific arrangements.

GENERAL INFORMATION
If you meet the requirements stated in this bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described on this bulletin will be compared with the performance of others who take this test, and all candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

The CALIFORNIA STATE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

General Qualifications: Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

California Relay (Telephone) Service for the Deaf or Hearing Impaired: From TDD phones: (800) 735-2929, from voice phones: (800) 735-2922

Class specs:  CEA and Exempt Appointees