Staff Counsel

THIS IS NOT A CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION Annual Salary: $11,997.08 - $18,158.54 Monthly. BENEFITS LACERA offers a comprehensive benefits package including a cafeteria benefit plan (14.5% - 17% of monthly base salary), annual leave, a defined benefit retirement plan, a Savings Plan (401k), a Deferred Compensation Plan (457), 13 paid holidays per year, tuition reimbursement, a hybrid work schedule, and a ride share program. ABOUT THE POSITION The Legal Division is comprised of a Chief Counsel, Senior Staff Counsels, Staff Counsels, Legal Analysts, and Legal Secretaries. The current vacancy is in the Benefits Section of the Legal Division. The position is part of a team of attorneys, legal analysts, and secretarial staff who provide legal advice and representation on all aspects of administering the pension plan and retiree health care plan (excluding disability). Issues include interpretation of the California Constitution, County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL), the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the Internal Revenue Code, and other benefit eligibility and delivery laws, regulations, policies and procedures. The role involves legal 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. RESPONSIBILITIES Providing legal support to the Board of Retirement, the Executive Office, the Member Operations Group, and other LACERA Divisions on benefits matters, including benefits eligibility (excluding disability) and interpretation of CERL, PEPRA, the Internal Revenue Code, and related laws and regulations. Working closely with Senior Benefits Staff Counsel, other attorneys (including outside counsel), and staff to provide legal advice on complex benefits issues, tax questions, fiduciary matters, ethics, and compliance. Preparing legal memoranda and presenting them to the Board of Retirement for action or counseling, including advising on the development and refinement of LACERA’s policies, procedures, and practices. Advising staff and the Board of Retirement on administrative appeals filed by members on benefits issues. Processing domestic relations orders concerning pension rights, guardianship, conservatorship, and reviewing powers of attorney. Supervising the activities of legal staff and outside counsel on benefits issues. Providing legal support to Boards, Committees, and staff at meetings in the absence of Senior Benefits Staff Counsel and Chief Counsel. SELECTION REQUIREMENTS Four years’ experience in the practice of employee benefits law, tax law related to employee benefit plans, public agency law, or a comparable legal specialty. Applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of this classification, with or without a reasonable accommodation. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS Experience providing legal advice on retirement, health, and other employee benefits administration. Experience reviewing court orders regarding dissolution, guardianship, and conservatorship. Experience making presentations on benefit issues. Experience advising a board of trustees or directors, or a board-level committee, preferably on benefits issues. PROCEDURE FOR SUBMITTING YOUR INTEREST Please submit your résumé, cover letter, and two writing samples as part of an online application. All materials must be attached electronically. Faxed, emailed, or hard copy submissions will not be accepted. Submission without the required documents may be disqualified. CONTACT INFORMATION For any questions, contact Sharon Norton, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at View email address on click.appcast.io. LACERA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr