Pension and Benefits Officer (12-month term)

Job Details Job Term:

12-month term Full-time (35 hours per week)

Eligibility:

Applicant must either be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident eligible to work in Canada

Union/Non:

IAM local 3011

Competition:

26-32

About the Position The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), a national union representing over 80,000 professionals and scientists across Canada, is seeking a

Pension and Benefits Officer

to join our team at the National Office in Ottawa for a 12‑month term.

PIPSC/IPFPC is committed to building an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought – and of people – are recognized, valued, and considered essential to achieving our goals and objectives. We are making concerted efforts to foster a workforce that is representative of our diverse membership. We strive to create a work environment that is welcoming to everyone regardless of their gender, age, religion, race, ethnicity, and nationality, particularly equity‑deserving groups, such as members of the IBPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and people living with disabilities.

All qualified candidates will be considered; however, in support of achieving a diversified workforce we encourage applications for this opportunity from candidates belonging to one of the employment equity groups: Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Metis or Inuit), peoples of colour or persons with a disability. Consideration will be given to a qualified candidate who, at the time of application, voluntarily indicates being part of these groups.

Primary Responsibilities

Identify opportunities and strategies to improve members’ benefits and pension plans through collective bargaining, plan review, legislative changes, and plan management. Creates buy‑in from internal stakeholders for plan improvements through advocacy and technical education. Negotiates plans improvements and changes in various fora.

Provide technical advice, support, training, and guidance to members, stewards, and staff on matters related to pension, medical retirement, group health and dental benefits, long‑term disability management, gradual return to work processes, etc.

Manage member inquiries and cases by providing subject‑matter expertise and advocating on behalf of individual members before various organizations (including insurers and Pension Centre) boards and committees.

Represent and advise the Institute and support its members, groups of members, and stewards with all matters related to pensions, medical retirement, employee benefit plans, benefit plan and investment fund oversight, strategy, and administration, gradual return to work, policies, directives and guidelines, and benefits plans.

Develop institute positions with respect to group‑wide issues. May represent the Institute on public service‑wide labour‑management committees, national working groups, national, regional, and local committees, and other forums. Works with external stakeholders, including other unions, to develop shared positions and negotiation strategies.

Develop, conduct, and assist in training sessions to promote positive communication, information sharing, and best practices to develop, maintain, and contribute to a qualified network of subject‑matter experts within the Institute and broader labour community.

Collaborate with PIPSC negotiators, bargaining teams, employers, brokers, and TBS representatives to negotiate improved benefit plans and pension provisions. Lead review of existing benefit packages to propose areas of improvement, plan optimization, advocate for progressive plan changes, while educating plan members to the value of their entitlements.

Analyze and interpret P&B legislation, including proposed changes. Provide technical advice on the interpretation and application of applicable legislation. Contributes to the development of institute positions on P&B policy, including proposed legislative amendments, and supports political action efforts.

May participate and represent the Institute, as a member of the Technical Working Group for the Public Service Pension Advisory Committee. Collaborate with other unions and other advisors to review data and make recommendations for the Advisory Committee on issues such as plan administration and investment, plan improvement, compliance and awareness.

Propose and develop communications including briefings, web postings, case summaries, and position papers for members and colleagues. Identify opportunities to advance the interests of the members through legislative, regulatory, and administrative changes.

Participate and lead in multi‑disciplinary teams assigned to special projects and work collaboratively with employees in other sections to ensure the coordination of information across the organization.

May be requested to undertake other related duties as required.

Knowledge and Experience Requirements Education / Experience:

Completion of a University degree or equivalent in a discipline that includes statistical analysis, financial/actuarial evaluation, and socio‑legislative developments and trends or industrial/labor relations, law or related discipline.

Three (3) to five (5) years of progressive experience specializing in Pension and Benefits administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Canadian Employee Benefits certification or equivalent industry knowledge is

preferred .

Language Requirement

Fluency in both official languages (French and English) is

required .

Skills and Experience Required

Knowledge of the authorities governing employer/employee relations in the federal public service of Canada and other jurisdictions in which Institute members are employed.

Knowledge of the provincial public sector pension legislation, employee benefit plans, insurance procedures, and disability case law.

Understanding of common health issues, their implications on work, personal care, and disability status.

Experience in contextualizing employment benefits within the Canadian income taxation framework and identify possible tax ramifications.

Experience in advising and training Institute staff on member benefits and pension issues.

Critical thinking skills are required to analyze employee case files, audit reports, legislative and regulatory policies, employer procedures, medical files, etc.

Advanced oral and written communication skills to prepare, develop, and present briefs and Institute position papers on employment and retirement benefits.

Ability to carry out advocacy roles vis‑à‑vis parliamentarians, senior employer officials and the media.

Compensation Package

Salary Range:

$98,519 to $123,148 (G6)

Vacation:

4 weeks per year, plus other generous paid leave

Paid Time Off:

December 27th to 31st

Note Preference will be given in accordance with the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the IAM Local 3011 bargaining unit.

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