Retirement Benefits Specialist - Harrisburg, United States - Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Description

THE POSITION

Are you an organized self-starter with a penchant for math and analytical challenges? Do you value working with independence while also serving on a small, cohesive team? If so, a Retirement Benefits Specialist position at the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) may be the right job for you. This work involves in-depth research of member accounts and the calculation of benefits relating to member divorce, recalculation of benefits, change of retirement options, and more. Ideal candidates will possess Microsoft Office experience and be driven by accuracy and attention to detail. If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply today

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

These Retirement Benefits Specialist opportunities are located in the Technical Services Section of the Benefits Determination Division and are responsible for reviewing historical account information, analyzing a wide variety of data, and interpreting and applying the terms and provisions of governing policies, procedures, contracts, legal documents, and actuarial calculations. Employees in these positions perform mathematical calculations, provide technical assistance to other teams, and provide customer service. They serve as liaisons to the Chief Counsel's Office of SERS, interpreting domestic relations orders pertaining to divorced member accounts. Responsibilities also include calculating combined benefits for members with both SERS and PSERS service, as well as calculating multiple service disability benefits

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

About SERS: Established in 1923, SERS is one of the nation's oldest retirement plans for public employees and manages the pension benefits of nearly 240,000 employees and retirees for 98 public sector employers. In 2023, SERS paid about $3.9 billion in benefits and managed $36.4 billion in assets. A wealth of information is available at

Our mission is to prepare our members and participants to achieve financial security in retirement. We achieve this through focusing on our mission, acting ethically and with integrity, empowering our members, embracing innovation, fostering life work balance, modeling an inclusive and respectful workplace, valuing and developing team members, collaborating, and finding joy in our work.

SERS is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified individuals to our team. We are committed to an inclusive and respectful work environment that fosters personal and professional growth, embraces the contributions of all team members, and values diversity in people, ideas, and experiences to achieve our highest potential.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5-hour work week, Monday through Friday.
• Option 1: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with a one-hour unpaid meal period from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
  OR
  Option 2: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with a half-hour unpaid meal period from 12:00 - 12:30 or 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home part-time (hybrid telework schedule), depending on operational needs and progress in learning assigned tasks. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania; otherwise, you must work on-site at the work location specified in this job posting.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a Retirement Technician; or
• One year as a Fiscal Technician performing work within a public pension or retirement system or related area, such as a Comptroller's Office; or
• Two years as a Human Resources Assistant 2 performing work in the areas of benefits or systems processing; or
• An associate's degree and two years of experience in the processing of benefit payments; or
• Four years of experience in the processing of benefit accounts or payments within a public pension or retirement system or related area, such as medical insurance or other insurance or pension benefits; or
• An equivalent combination of experience or training.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.