Retirement and Benefits Specialist 1 (02-8107/02-8090)

State Of Alaska•Juneau, AK

13d•$32•Onsite

About The Position

This position is open to Alaska Residents only. Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify. What You Will Be Doing Working in the Member Education Center, the Specialist 1 will be providing assistance and excellent customer service to members with inquiries on the telephone, email, and in-person. You will provide responses to routine and complex questions regarding retirement and health benefits, determine retirement eligibility based on statutes and regulations, prepare standard forms and letters to request membership and claimed service information, and explain retirement benefit calculations and entitlements.You will also assist in escalated member inquiries by phone, email and in-person, make recommendations to the supervisors for system or process changes to eliminate reporting errors or to streamline processing, conduct scheduled group training or formal seminars for members of the PERS and TRS regarding retirement and health benefits, and conduct workshops and individual counseling sessions on the principles of retirement savings and planning in the Juneau area. Our Organization, Mission, and Culture The Department of Administration's Division of Retirement and Benefits administers State of Alaska and political subdivision retirement and benefit plans. We achieve organizational excellence by focusing on the customer to deliver exceptional services using effective and efficient processes. This position represents the Division by being the first point of contact for members calling into the Member Education Center and assists members who come to the Division as walk-ins with retirement counseling. You would be an integral member of the Retirement and Benefits Operations Team, assisting members with inquiries on the telephone, by email, and in-person. We are seeking an individual who has exceptional interpersonal skills; has a commitment to professional and respectful customer service; and who can adapt to a dynamic, changing work environment. The Benefits of Joining Our Team The Member Education Center Team is committed to providing a supportive work environment that fosters the growth of knowledge, skills, and experience needed to advance their career in the Division. The individual hired will help provide an excellent experience for employees and retirees who seek to understand the benefits available to them and benefits they are entitled to. The Working Environment You Can Expect This position is in the State Office Building in downtown Juneau, with a view of the Gastineau Channel. Who We Are Looking For We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies: Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. Customer Service: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement. Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.

Requirements

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one's knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
Arithmetic: Performs computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division correctly using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
Equivalent to those typically gained by: Any combination of preparatory post-secondary education and/or experience in public or business administration providing administrative or technical support to management in running an organization/enterprise which required some application of guidelines and policies to meet assigned responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
Customer Service: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.

Responsibilities

Working in the Member Education Center, the Specialist 1 will be providing assistance and excellent customer service to members with inquiries on the telephone, email, and in-person.
You will provide responses to routine and complex questions regarding retirement and health benefits, determine retirement eligibility based on statutes and regulations, prepare standard forms and letters to request membership and claimed service information, and explain retirement benefit calculations and entitlements.
You will also assist in escalated member inquiries by phone, email and in-person, make recommendations to the supervisors for system or process changes to eliminate reporting errors or to streamline processing, conduct scheduled group training or formal seminars for members of the PERS and TRS regarding retirement and health benefits, and conduct workshops and individual counseling sessions on the principles of retirement savings and planning in the Juneau area.

Benefits

Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
Group-based insurance premiums for Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
Long-term and short-term disability
Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
Supplemental Survivor Benefits
Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
Twelve (12) paid holidays a year