Pension Specialist Save job Remove saved job

Non-Union

 

Job Title:	Pension Specialist
Job Opening Id:	42683	# Required:	1
Business Unit:	Corporate Administration	Division:	Human Resources
Location:	Headquarters Campbell West	Standard Hours:	35.00 / week
Full/Part Time:	Full-Time	Regular/Temporary:	Temporary
Salary Grade:	5	Salary Range:	$ 87,470.00 – $102,900.00
Post Date:	2025-06-06	Close Date:	2025-06-19
Approximate Duration: 6 – 12 months

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES AND AMENDMENTS

This position currently falls within our hybrid model, allowing the employee to typically work a minimum of 50% of your time at your regular work location and the other 50% of time at home.

As an employer of choice, Niagara Region offers competitive salaries and benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, a corporate wellness centre, access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), mentorship and training programs, employee recognition programs, and more.  In addition, the Region recognizes the value of having flexible work arrangements to support better work-life balance for our employees.  Hybrid work arrangements may vary from one employee to another and may also differ in the number of remote workdays. These opportunities remain subject to the alignment of operational needs, business requirements, and customer service expectations.

 

ABOUT US

Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high-quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries.  Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada’s most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada’s most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.

At Niagara Region, we value diversity – in background and experience. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aspire to hire and grow a workforce reflective of the diverse community we serve. By doing so, we can deliver better programs and services across Niagara.

We welcome all applicants! For more information about diversity, equity, and inclusion at Niagara Region, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Niagara Region, Ontario or email related questions to diversity@niagararegion.ca. To send input on reducing barriers in the current hiring process, please email myhr@niagararegion.ca

For the Region’s full employee equity statement, Working at Niagara Region – Niagara Region, Ontario.

Don’t have every qualification?

You may be hesitant to apply if you do not have every qualification listed in the posting. While specific qualifications are important for certain roles, we invite individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience and education to apply. Our recruiters will evaluate your suitability for the role.

Please note that for unionized roles, we must follow collective agreement requirements. However, we encourage all interested candidates to submit their applications. We believe success in a role can extend beyond meeting every single requirement.

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary 

Reporting to the Manager Total Rewards, the Pension Specialist leads pension projects, identifies and implements process redesign opportunities, promotes pension education and knowledge, and ensures all pension areas are administered effectively and efficiently. Manages escalated pension matters, service issues, and service provider concerns while ensuring compliance with various pension and tax legislations, collective bargaining agreements, policies and by laws. Consults with internal partners on pension matters.

Education

• Post-secondary diploma in Business or Human Resources.

Knowledge

• 5 years’ experience in human resources or payroll with at least 3 years of direct experience in pension administration, compensation, or and benefits administration.
• 5 years’ experience in human resources with breadth in total rewards, payroll, T4 reporting, labour relations, disability management, and/or recruitment experience in a multi-union environment is preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in MS office tools, particularly advanced in Excel, databases (HRIS/Payroll), PeopleSoft,
• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Human Recourses Professional or Leader (CHRP, CHRL) designation is preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads pension administration and compliance, research, analysis, process design and process implementation of pension administration and reporting.  (30%)

• Manages the Niagara Regions overall compliance with OMERS/Pension rules and legislation by providing subject matter expertise and leadership in business process design and implementation of internal pension reporting and administration; remains up to date with any pension plan design or tax legislation changes and revises internal processes accordingly to ensure continued compliance.
• Works closely with external service providers and internal partners to continuously review pension administration processes; identifying operational efficiencies and modifying and/or developing standardized processes that leverage new and existing technology, eliminate duplication, improve data accuracy, and enhance accessibility.
• Oversees day to day pension reporting accuracy and compliance by auditing biweekly payroll cycles, ensuring payroll errors or inaccuracies are corrected, establishing repayment plans, providing education and direction where required.
• Maintains a broad understanding of the corporation and its structure to create solutions that are aligned to the needs of the business while creating a positive employee experience.
• Leads pension review project(s), including the development of collective bargaining proposals to identify risks and opportunities and develop recommendations to ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Manages all areas of pension disability administration by designing and maintaining reporting processes, tracking and administering applications for employees eligible for disability pension/ wavier while educating employee on the benefit.

Delivers exceptional service for employees and internal clients across the corporation and manages pension vendor relationship on behalf of the Niagara Region. Responds to inquiries, offers consultation and education to plan members and vendor and provides guidance and interpretation of pension processes, policies, and plan details.  (25%)

• Manages ongoing relationships with pension provider, monitoring service levels, investigating and resolving complaints, errors and complex pension issues. Recommends solutions where applicable working with plan members and OMERS to ensure alignment with the plan design, policies, and procedures.
• Facilitates life insurance claims and supports beneficiaries and dependents through the claim and survivor continuation of benefits processes. Ensures positive beneficiary experience, handles vendor issues and concerns.
• Develops integrated communication strategies to promote pension programs and pension education as a valued component of the Total Rewards Strategy and People Plan to ensure plan details are compelling, accessible, and clearly communicated. Plans and coordinates campaigns and events.
• Serves as the primary contact for pension provider (OMERS), ensures OMERS records are accurate and up to date.
• Delivers exceptional service to Niagara Region Police Service (NRPS) in the execution of shared services responsibilities in the pension portfolio.

Leads year end processes on behalf of Total Rewards Team. Manages year end pension reconciliation of Niagara Region and NRPS pension programs. Ensures OMERS and CRA compliance with pension year end and related T4 information. (20%) 

• Facilitates year end auditing and validation of pension earnings, contributions, and service for each employee.
• Liaises with all Total Rewards team members to coordinate and complete year end tasks on time.
• Works with TR coordinator and NRPS to ensure any errors are rectified, provides education and guidance where needed. Handles escalated or complex issues.
• Completes mass year end scattered day reporting and relevant upload files.
• Ensures accurate reporting of all pension information for each Niagara Region and Niagara Regional Police Service Employee, reconciles total annual employee and employer contributions, and works with finance to administer any credit/invoice adjustments.
• Calculates manual pension adjustments and validates all Niagara Region pension adjustment and pension related T4 information ensuring accuracy and compliance with both OMERS and CRA

As the Pension Program subject matter expert, provide leadership and guidance to other HR staff related to pension administration, legislation, and practices (10%).

• Provides support and expert advice to HR leadership, all departments and staff regarding pension regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Provides training and ongoing guidance to the Total Rewards Coordinator and the Total Rewards Advisor-Shared Services in the performance of their work.
• Guides HR and NRPS staff in the administration of pension programs, policy interpretation, processes, and procedures.
• Provides advice and consultation to Labour Relations and Business Divisional Leaders related to pension legislation, compliance, policy, and program changes.
• Coaches and directs the resolution of audit findings, data integrity errors and omissions by providing education and guidance to other HR and encoding staff to resolve issues.
• Participates in interviews and the selection of staff; supervise students.

Facilitates assigned CUPE job evaluation committee process and meetings, ensuring consistent application and use of factor levels for each job evaluation plan and compliance with collective agreement provisions, salary administration, acting pay and additional duties administration. (15%)

• Evaluates and maintain job descriptions to ensure that changes made by managers are consistent with the corporate guidelines.
• Trains union and management committee members on job evaluation principles, the function of the job evaluation committee, and the process at Niagara Region.
• Provides guidance to employees, managers, union leaders and job evaluation committee on job evaluation principles, practices and facilitates the resolution of issues arising.
• Issues job evaluation results and maintain all job evaluation records.
• Maintains salary administration and compensation structures for assigned union groups, coordinates the implementation of collective agreement wage improvements and across the board increases.
• Calculates, validate, and administer additional payment requests including Acting Pay and Additional Duties. Maintain accurate and up to date process documentation.

Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned or required.

Special Requirements

• In accordance with the Corporate Criminal Record Check Policy, the position requires the incumbent to undergo a Criminal Records Check and submit a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate.
• Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.

HOW TO APPLY

 

To view the full job description and requirements, visit our Careers page – Job Opening # 42683

 

Uncover the wonder of the Niagara Region and join a team dedicated to meeting tomorrow’s challenges…today!

 

Let us know why you would be an excellent team member by submitting your online application no later than June 19, 2025, before midnight by visiting our ‘Careers’ page at www.niagararegion.ca.  We thank all candidates for their interest however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

 

Application Link: https://www.niagararegion.ca/government/hr/careers/