Support Services Specialist (3444)

At SDFCU, we are committed to attracting and retaining top talent to ensure our continued success. Our tradition of exceptional service extends not only to our members but also to our employees. Through comprehensive internal training and workshops, we nurture professional strengths and provide ample opportunities for career advancement. Are you ready to join our dynamic team? We offer competitive salaries, exceptional health, dental, and vision insurance within the first 30 days of employment, a matched 401(K) plan with up to 4% SDFCU contribution, and much more.

Benefits and Perks of SDFCU Include:

• Diversity and Inclusion: Work in an environment that values and respects all team members
• Paid Holidays: Enjoy 12 paid holidays a year, including your birthday
• Flexible Work Options: Potential work-from-home options after the introductory period
• Generous Paid Time Off: Ample vacation and personal days to maintain a health work-life balance
• Tuition Reimbursement: Support for your ongoing education and career development
• Parking Incentives: Financial incentives for your daily parking
• Comprehensive Insurance: Access to excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance packages
• Gym Reimbursement: Stay healthy with our gym membership reimbursement program
• Team Bonding: Participate in company and team bonding events that foster a collaborative work environment

Join us at SDFCU and be part of a team that values excellence, innovation, and professional growth.

State Department Federal Credit Union is seeking a Support Services Specialist. This role is primarily responsible for performing all tasks associated with the credit union's IRA program. The Support Services Specialist also processes third party requests for account/asset verifications, performs tasks associated with the buying/selling of foreign currency and negotiation of foreign checks. and processes IRS back-up withholding notices. All tasks are to be performed in an accurate, timely and efficient manner according to established procedures, and meet existing regulatory requirements, where applicable

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs all tasks associated with oversight of IRA portfolio, currently comprised of 3570 accounts, valued at $80 million. Said tasks includes but are not limited to: Opening new IRA accounts (shares and certificates), closing existing IRA accounts, posting IRA deposits, processing all distributions and/or withdrawal requests, processes rollovers and transfers between SDFCU and other financial institutions, ensuring all activities are properly coded to ensure appropriate tax reporting.
• Maintains IRA Required Minimum Distribution information for members who have reached the required age and processes RMD's as necessary. Ensures annual RMD notifications are sent to appropriate members by January 31st each calendar year; verifies accuracy of system-calculated RMD amounts, establishes automatic RMD's per instructions received from members, and follows up to ensure all distribution requirements are met. Maintains records for distribution instructions in subsequent years.
• Performs timely review of all reports related to IRA portfolio oversight; maintains completed reports for audit purposes.
• Ensures timely preparation and mailing of various IRA forms and letters to members and ensures receipt of completed documentation from members, where applicable. Ensures all forms and documentation are compliant with tax code changes and/or changes in credit union policy. Ensures documentation is properly archived in a timely manner and retained per regulatory guidelines.
• Ensures efficient handling of incoming mail and regular monitoring of IRA email box in order to perform timely follow-up activities, as appropriate.
• Researches IRA account issues as requested by members directly or from other departments; makes any system adjustments necessary and prepares/ amended tax documents for management approval prior to filing to the IRS.
• Keeps abreast of changes in IRA regulations, such as annual contribution limits, or as affected by tax law changes, by reading relevant publications and taking advantage of available webinars.
• Processes SSI and Medicaid asset verification requests received via third party vendor in vendor's software.
• Performs all tasks associated with processing Foreign Currency orders as received from member's via online banking, utilizing third party vendor's software. Performs all tasks associated with processing the sale of currency back to our third-party vendor as received from all branch locations.
• Performs all tasks associated with the negotiation of foreign checks. as received directly from members, utilizing the services of a third-party correspondent bank. Said tasks include but are not limited to: timely submission of foreign checks to correspondent bank, appropriate monitoring of correspondent's notification of actions taken, ensuring proper credit to member accounts, if appropriate, or notification to members if collection efforts are unsuccessful.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Minimum of two years of customer service experience in a financial institution; IRA experience preferred.
• High school diploma or GED required; some college preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Certified IRA Professional designation within two years of hire.
• Strong organizational, time management, analytical, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage complex IRA matters, prioritize workload, and respond effectively to escalated situations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, customer service, and phone skills.
• Strong numerical aptitude and ability to perform IRA-related calculations accurately.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Accurate typing skills with reasonable speed.