Administrative Analyst II - Retirement Plan Assistant Coordinator - Human Resources

Howard County

Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government

Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most in the state of Maryland. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged! We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs. As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

Please note, the starting salary hiring range for this position is $77,422 - $107,596

Please note: This position is not anticipated to be filled until April 2026.

Position Summary

Responsible advanced level administrative support work performing tasks in support of the Howard County defined benefit retirement plans and other programs of the Office of Human Resources.

Class Description

Performs intermediate professional level administrative work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes administrative support of a functional program and professional level analysis and coordination of functional office programs and activities.

This position serves in a confidential capacity within the definition of Howard County labor relations law and is ineligible for membership in a collective bargaining unit.

Retirement Plan Administration & Analysis

• Processes all benefit estimates requested by retirement plan participants (e.g., normal retirement, early retirement, disability retirement, and Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP)).
• Meets one-on-one with employees regarding service and disability retirement, answering questions and assisting with the completion of required paperwork.
• Effectively communicates all aspects of the retirement process, including information on retiree health insurance, Medicare, and Social Security.
• Conducts annual recertification of disabled retirees.
• Researches and prepares investigative reports and special studies relating to plan expenses, census data, disability retirements, and other retirement-related issues as appropriate.
• Reviews and verifies payment vouchers for periodic plan expenses, including invoices for actuarial, legal, investment, and audit fees, and works with the Finance department to reconcile discrepancies.
  
  

Communication, Education, and Outreach

• Participates in bi-weekly orientation for newly hired employees, presenting highlights of the retirement plans and assisting employees transferring from other jurisdictions.
• Develops and updates presentation materials and content for webinars and seminars targeting upcoming retirees, ensuring accuracy and clarity on complex topics.
• Updates and/or creates participant communication materials (i.e., Summary Plan Descriptions).
• Serves as content editor for the County website's retirement page.
• Provides prompt and courteous customer service to plan participants via telephone, electronic communication, in-person, and regular mail.
• Serves as liaison with the retiree services vendor on the maintenance and enhancement of the retiree self-service portal (MYPENPAY).
  
  

Project Management and Coordination

• Manages and executes small- to medium-scale administrative or technical projects related to retirement plan maintenance, regulatory compliance, or system enhancements.
• Schedules monthly Retirement Plan Committee meetings, prepares the agenda, and oversees the distribution of all meeting materials.
• Schedules Pension Oversight Commission meetings, prepares the agenda, and serves as the primary County contact for commission members.
  
  

Technical and General Support

• Maintains various Excel templates as needed for periodic plan amendments and creates new worksheets as necessary.
• Provides ongoing training and guidance to the Retirement Aide.
• Serves as primary back-up to the County Retirement Coordinator, learning and performing all essential job functions accurately.
• Assists with other human resources related tasks.
• Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.
• Other related duties may be assigned.
  
  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.However, may be asked to cover for supervisor for meetings and presentations.

Bachelor's Degree and two (2) years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of pension/retirement terminology and concepts; specifically pertaining to public sector retirement systems.
• Strong experience performing and validating retirement calculations involving complex multifaceted parameters.
• Knowledge of, and skill in applying mathematical and statistical procedures generally employed in the field of retirement benefits administration to verify calculations, assess fiscal impact of system changes and perform related functions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of retiree health insurance, Medicare and Social Security.
• Strong analytical skills to complete research and surveys of various retirement matters, document findings and present results.
• Demonstrated strong written, verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Experience in a highly confidential work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, track tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated analytical ability, judgment, and personal responsibility applied to public sector retirement plan management.
• Demonstrated high level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
  
  

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before individual employees of organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, decimals, and dates.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet set deadlines.