Pensions Officer

Summary

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is looking for two HR Pensions Officers to enhance our People Services Team based at our Service Headquarters in Exeter. You will join us on a full time, permanent basis working 37 hours per week (flexible working patterns may be considered). In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £37035.00 - £39513.00 (gross) per annum. 

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England. We provide prevention, protection, and response services across the counties of Devon and Somerset. 

Our vision is that together, we will work to end preventable fire and rescue emergencies, creating a safer world for you and your family. Keeping people safe is what we do, and we owe our fantastic reputation to our highly skilled and motivated workforce. 

About the role:

As one of our Pensions Officers, the successful candidates will be the primary point of contact for pensions processes and management of pensions administration. You will provide comprehensive guidance on pension scheme regulations and processes to managers, employees, and all relevant stakeholders.

You will also assist the delegated Scheme Manager and Local Pension Board in ensuring compliance with pension regulations and legislative changes. 

Find out more:

Key responsibilities of the HR Pensions Officer: 

• Carry out monthly administrative processes for employees in respect of their pensions, including opting in and out of the Authority's Pension Schemes in accordance with scheme and/or auto-enrolment regulations, monthly reporting on member and contributions and annual reporting as required. 
• Research and provide accurate financial information to West Yorkshire Pension Fund (WYPF). Liaise with WYPF, finance and payroll on pension related matters and act as the main point of contact and attend meetings with the administrator as required. 
• To be responsible for overseeing pension related processes for the Service (several different schemes). 
• Oversee the implementation of changes to pension schemes (in line with legislative requirements). 
• Provide guidance to managers and employees in relation to pensions. 
• Support the Health & Wellbeing team and other People Services Colleagues / Manager in relation to ill health retirement processes and paperwork. Oversee record maintenance of all ill health retirement pension paperwork and subsequent reviews. 
• Liaise with HR Business Partners in relation to pension information and processes for employees. 
• Prepare pensions guidance notes and other pension related communications for publication on the intranet and other staff communication channels as appropriate. 
• Provide briefings to managers and HR Colleagues on the impacts of pension changes, developing and amending policies and procedures where appropriate. 
• Co-ordinate and participate in pre-retirement course seminars and deliver any relevant content, as required. 
• Interpret pension legislation and regulations and provide guidance to all Authority managers and employees on pension related matters. 
• Oversee and advise on long-term projects including new pension schemes, remedy activity and automatic enrolment in order to ensure that the Authority complies with pension regulations and employment legislation, avoiding financial penalties. 
• Attend regional national conferences/meetings in relation to Firefighter and Local Government Pensions. 
• Assist with the writing of papers for the Pensions Board in conjunction with the delegated Scheme Manager and committee services team. 
• Liaise with Pay and Conditions Lead to ensure that adequate processes are in place for dealing with periods of unpaid leave and industrial action (in relation to the impact on pensionable pay, pensions and retirements). 

Closing Date: 2359hrs 7 January 2025

If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our HR Pensions Officer please click 'apply' today, we would love to hear from you. 

You must be eligible to work in the UK by commencement of employment. 

How to apply:

You will be required to complete an application form and submit a document evidencing how you meet the following essential criteria from the Job Description and Person Specification. 

1. Proven ability to work to a high degree of accuracy with both written documents and numerical data. 
2. Proven experience of working in a pensions related role (preferably in public sector / blue light services).
3. Experience of working with large volumes of financial data and undertaking complex financial calculations. 
4. High level of general ICT skills, including standard Microsoft applications. 
5. Knowledge of pensions legislation, scheme types and standard processes.. 

To help you to complete this part of the application form please find attached below the word document "Essential Criteria for HR Pensions Officer Application" for you to download and complete with your evidence of the above criteria. You can then upload this document where requested when completing your application. 

Please note the evidence that you upload to your application should not exceed 2000 words in total (excluding titles). 

Evidence submitted in relation to the essential criteria above will be used to shortlist any applications received. 

Our values

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services Safeguarding policy. 

Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) Exceptions Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and reprimands. 

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, and as such any positive disclosure will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response. 

As a Service and as individuals: 

• We are proud to help
• We are honest
• We are respectful
• We are working together

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities that we serve, and we aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values, to consider working for us,