Benefits/Retirement Specialist- Human ResourcesMaryland State Judiciary

The Maryland Judiciary offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, continuing education programs, employee assistance programs, and State Retirement and Pension plans. Telework, up to 2 days per week, may also be available. Telework eligibility is based on job functions and the approval of the Administrative Head.

Maryland Judiciary Benefits (mdcourts.gov) 

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Maryland Judiciary Pay Scale June 2025

Essential Job Functions:  

The Benefits/Retirement Specialist is responsible for full performance level of work ensuring appropriate and consistent Judiciary-wide promotion, implementation, and execution of Human Resources (HR) transactions, health benefits, retirement programs, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Parental Leave, Leave Bank and Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI). Employee functions within the Judiciary Human Resources Division as a technical expert in employment services, benefits and retirement. This position provides technical assistance, direction, and guidance to HR staff of Judiciary agencies, but does not supervise. Work generally involves the exercise of high-level skills in the synthesis, coordination, and interpretation of personnel data; instructing or advising other professional workers (both within and outside of the HR arena); advising other professionals or managers of recommended specific courses of action to be taken; and in deciding or selecting the most effective and technically sound alternative from several feasible possibilities. Performs confidential and sensitive work in a variety of HR program areas for assigned geographic regions and for various Judiciary agencies in accordance with applicable legal and technical guidelines, personnel laws, regulations, and standards. This position provides skills and knowledge to a variety of problems, issues and projects involving analysis, evaluation, judgment, creativity, and consultation; often engaging in activities that require innovative thinking and the application of theoretical knowledge in the public personnel domain. The work may require travel throughout Maryland to perform on-site visits at Judiciary locations. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Transactions

Determine the type of transaction that will be processed: new hires, State transfers from other state agencies and from the University System, rehires, reinstatements to previous position, reinstated promotion or reinstated demotion. Overlap appointments for PINs that are already occupied. Promotion, promotional transfer, demotions to include Voluntary in the same position number or voluntary in different position number.  Involuntary demotions the same pin or involuntary demotion in a different position number.  Transfers which include Transfer within same jurisdiction or lateral transfer which is a transfer from different agency code within the judiciary.  Position Identification Number (PIN Switch) transfer from one position number to another within the same agency code in the judiciary. Reclassifications, Separations from service which include Retirement, resigned State service, resigned without proper notice, resigned in lieu of termination, terminated with prejudice, end of temporary assignment, annual contract not renewed, transfer to another State agency, transfer within the Judiciary, approved military leave of absence. 

Process transactions in the Human Resources Information System (HRIS - CONNECT).  Determine the reason code for action, if probationary period is required and if an employment contract is required.  Enter the position expiration date for temporary and seasonal temporary employees. Determine the entry on duty date and leave earning adjustment date for reinstated employees and contractual bailiffs. 

Review and process, name changes, probationary reports, extended probationary reports, and contract renewals processed via CONNECT by the Jurisdictions.  Make necessary changes to HRIS system.

Records management and maintenance of employee's HR files, medical files, I-9?s and terminated employee files. 

Special Salary Adjustments Bailiffs and Special Police Officers: Process salary adjustments for Bailiffs and Special Police Officers once they have received their special police commission and/or when they qualify for the longevity pay rate change. 

Leave Administration

Assisting the office with duties to include FMLA, Parental Leave, Leave Bank and FAMLI

Processes FMLA, Parental Leave, Leave Bank and FAMLI which includes receiving requests, tracking requests, entering requests into CONNECT, and generating designation notices to employees.

Answers general questions regarding FMLA, Parental Leave, Leave Bank and FAMLI.

Health Benefits Coordinator

Interpret policy and procedures for Judiciary employees regarding health benefits.  Provide all Judiciary employees and judges with information health benefits, coverage and procedures.  Serve as Health Benefits Coordinator for the Maryland Judiciary.  Assist employees with open enrollment as well as enrollment, advising them of new options.  Resolve benefit problems, review & approve new enrollment application, advise terminating employees of COBRA and LAW benefits. Assemble and review all supporting documentation to establish eligibility for State health benefits and attach to the enrollment worksheet for processing.  Coordinate and process retroactive adjustment for, transfers, newborns, marriage, reinstatements, etc.  Calculate the required premium amount due to health benefits, collect funds and payments, and send with the retroactive adjustment form and required documentation to health benefits for processing.  Attend annual health benefits open enrollment training.  Coordinate with other Human Resources staff the distribution of open enrollment materials for Judiciary employees.  Function as a liaison between employees and the Department of Budget and Management, Health Benefits Department.  Assist employees with online resources and help answer questions with downloading forms.

Statewide Personnel System Workday (SPS)  Utilize the DBM online health benefits system to review and verify the status of pending action, view health benefit selections, deductions, etc. Complete reports within the system.  Determine effective dates of coverage; verify dependent information and 

Certified Retirement Coordinator ? Certified Retirement Coordinator - Assist current and former employees with Retirement questions, problems, enrolling as a new member, beneficiary changes, claiming credit within State Retirement Pension System (SRPS), claiming military credit, claiming credit for unused sick leave, purchase of service, refunds, payment of contribution deficiencies, applying for disability, service retirement and death benefits.  Stay informed of changes, procedures and regulations. Function as a liaison between employees and the Maryland State Retirement Agency.  Attend required Retirement meetings and meet face-to-face or virtually with employees/retirees as needed. 

Notary Public Commission: 

Designated retirement coordinator's prime responsibility is to assist members in the completion and submission of retirement forms. Coordinators sign retirement forms verifying member information such as work history, salary and unused sick leave balances submitted to MSRA. Coordinators carefully review all forms and supporting documents before submitting them to MSRA; notarize forms when necessary; include the coordinator's contact information on all documents; and submit forms to MSRA in a timely manner.

Notarize When Necessary: Several forms require notarization. Incomplete or improper notarization will STOP processing. A Notary Public acknowledges the identity of the person signing the form, not the accuracy of the document. The document is legally binding once the date the on the form was notarized is the same date the form was signed by the member or retiree. The notary witnessed the signature. The Notary filled in name of person signing form, and there are NO cross-outs or changes. The notary and retirement coordinator may be the same person. Forms can be notarized by a Secretary of State approved remote notary.

Projects, Events, and Initiatives

Assist in the preparation and delivery of Onboarding Sessions for Employees, Law Clerks and Judicial Appointments. Responsible for the review and distribution of Judiciary policies and procedures, assist with completion of Health Benefits, Pension and Supplemental Retirement forms. Ensure proper completion of withholding form for CPB, I-9 form completion on the first day of employment and the correct documentation is obtained and reviewed for the I-9 within 3 days of hire. Provide Identification Badge request form and directions. Advise employees of parking, leave bank, FMLA, federal and state laws and reporting of workplace injuries, and distribute information on the State Employees Credit Union (SECU). Prepare and maintain new employee orientation folders. 

Request, review and monitor the completion of new hire orientation documents processed by the HR Liaisons such as emergency contact, employment eligibility verification (Form I-9), confidentiality agreement, employment contracts, etc.  Review documents for completion, accuracy and ensure Judiciary, State and Federal Guidelines are being met.  Enter forms into HRIS as received and place in HR file. Create and monitor a tracking and follow-up system for incomplete or inaccurate documents. 

Develop and improve presentations and trainings for new and current employees and judges (HR Insights, New Supervisor and Manager Orientation, Retirement Basics, Financial Wellness, HR Connections, Judges? Pre-retirement Seminar, etc.).

Assists with Judiciary employee compliance with the State Ethics financial disclosure program and exemptions process.

Assists with researching, developing, implementing, and measuring the effectiveness of employee engagement and wellness initiatives (food trucks, flu clinics, blood drives, etc.).

Judicial Appointments

Process judicial appointment transactions and onboarding for Judges and Senior Judges. Review the judicial administrative processing form to determine if the newly appointed Judge is a current State employee.  If current State employee, send a request for Information to current agency. Determine the judicial salary using the judicial salary schedule.  Contact Judge Designate to determine the swearing in date. This date is to be used as the effective date of judicial appointment.  Request from the Judge Designate other necessary information needed to process the new judicial appointment transaction. Contact the Clerk of the Court to verify the Judge Designate's swearing in date. Using the administrative processing form, State transfer information, and information provided by the Judge-Designate, process the appointment in CONNECT.   

Assemble the judicial orientation packet according to the orientation checklist.  The day of orientation, oversee the event and conduct the transaction unit portion of orientation. 

Senior Judge Appointment ? The senior judge appointment notification paperwork will be delivered to be processed. A senior judge appointment is  processed as hourly contractual appointment in in CONNECT. The appointment is processed in the HRIS system as a rehire.

Provide services such as assist employees and the Public with online Maryland Judiciary information. Respond to inquiries in writing and via telephone for active and inactive employees, supervisors, other state agencies and the general public concerning, benefits, retirement, status of pending actions, salary verifications, interpretation of HR rules, regulations, policies and procedures, etc.

Provide advice, assistance and on-site training to HR Liaisons as necessary to ensure Judiciary, State and Federal Guidelines are being met. Assess the needs of the HR Liaisons for assigned jurisdiction and provide updates and/or suggestions to the HR Liaison committee to address at future meetings.  Create and provide a user manual to assist HR Liaisons in their new positions.   

Assist with auditing of HR processes, I-9's, employee files and DVA benefits audit, ACA reporting, and confidentiality forms.

Support and take direction from the Director and Deputy Director of Human Resources and Manager of Benefits & HRIS. Develop strong partnerships with HR management staff as well as all HR units.

Complete MFA Security Partner Training. Provide Service Desk support to SPS users by resetting passwords, or assisting employees with setting up their Profiles, and Multi Factor Authentications

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:  Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three (3) years of human resources experience.

Licenses/Certification: Must be able to obtain the following certifications within six (6) months of hire: Certified State Retirement Coordinator and SPS-ABC Certification. Must obtain Notary Public commission.

Note: Professional human resources work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

The theories, principles, and practices associated with public personnel administration.

Research techniques used in collecting, tabulating, evaluating, and presenting data.

The provisions of the Judiciary policies, rules, and regulations.

Equal employment opportunity laws.

The Maryland legislative and personnel budgeting process.

State of Maryland Health Benefits program.

HR-related laws, such as, but not limited to, FMLA, Parental Leave, Leave Bank and FAMLI. 

Various State of Maryland retirement pension systems.

Computer systems, HRIS applications, and Microsoft Office.

The methods and techniques of systems testing and documenting outcomes.

The methods and techniques used in testing of system design modifications and action plans.

Skill in:

Analyzing data to ensure system integrity.

Troubleshooting to resolve issues.

Running and monitoring system processes to update employee records and other business processes.

Microsoft Office products to include, but not limited to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.

Ability to:

Comprehend, interpret, and apply complex technically oriented laws, regulations, rules, and policies.

Resolve complex personnel problems by applying various methodologies and deciding between several alternative solutions.

Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and through the presentation of concise and comprehensive analyses and reports.

Deal with difficult people.

Physical Requirements:

Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Equipment, Machinery and Tools:

Personal computer, printer, calculator, copier, shredder, facsimile, LCD projector, and motor vehicle. This equipment is required to perform the essential functions of the job, on a daily basis. Operator of a motor vehicle is required to attend off-site meetings and to conduct trainings and workshops.

Software and Computer Skills:

Microsoft Office, CONNECT, SharePoint

Selection Process:

Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. If you have held more than one (1) position at the same employer, you must list each position that you held, the length of time that you held each position, and the corresponding duties. Description of duties that state, "see resume" will negatively impact consideration for this position. Applicants will not be contacted for additional information. Only applicants considered for this position will be contacted.

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

For further information please contact Talent Acquisition at aocta@mdcourts.gov.

The Maryland Judiciary is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, familial status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. Applicants who need an ADA Accommodation during the application and/or interview process should send their request via email to ADA@mdcourts.gov or call 410-260-1732. The Maryland Judiciary is a drug-free workplace. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. 

Please find the Maryland Judiciary's equal employment opportunity policy here: Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.