Retirement Benefits Education Counselorr

State of North Carolina

2d • $50,000 - $65,905 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Retirement Benefits Education Counselor provides subject matter expertise on retirement benefit matters such as retirement processes, statutory provisions, communicating new policy initiatives and legislation through counseling, researching and mediating as well as by responding to time sensitive and complex inquiries from active and retired state and local employees, beneficiaries, employing agencies and the general public. Assistance is also provided by means of conducting retirement education presentations, retirement webinars and simulcasts, monthly employer training, one-on-one retirement counseling for retirement system members and employers, answering retirement and benefit related correspondence and e-mail inquiries from employers, members and beneficiaries, providing final agency decisions and processing Domestic Relation Orders, Affidavits and other legal documentation.
The Retirement Systems Division administers the statutory retirement and fringe benefit plans as authorized by the General Assembly of North Carolina. These include the following six major retirement plans: Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, the Legislative Retirement System, the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, the Consolidated Judicial Retirement System, the Optional Retirement Program, and Firemen’s and Rescue Workers’ Pension Fund. The Retirement Benefits Education Counselor provides subject matter expertise on retirement benefit matters such as retirement processes, statutory provisions, communicating new policy initiatives and legislation through counseling, researching and mediating as well as by responding to time sensitive and complex inquiries from active and retired state and local employees, beneficiaries, employing agencies and the general public. Assistance is also provided by means of conducting retirement education presentations, retirement webinars and simulcasts, monthly employer training, one-on-one retirement counseling for retirement system members and employers, answering retirement and benefit related correspondence and e-mail inquiries from employers, members and beneficiaries, providing final agency decisions and processing Domestic Relation Orders, Affidavits and other legal documentation.

Requirements

• Experience in researching and analyzing detailed information.
• Experience in interpretating NC general statues.
• Experience in understanding business requirements of retirement plans.
• Experience in counseling stakeholders through presentations and webinars.
• The minimum Education and Experience is a Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three (3) years of experience in the program related to the area of assignment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Notary Commission obtained

Responsibilities

• Educates, counsels, and advises on the benefit programs, eligibility, options, and provisions to members, their dependents, and other involved parties of their retirement benefits over the phone, through email or in typed-written letter form, virtually through a webinar, by conducting one-on-one counseling appointments, and/or by a retirement education conference. Assessing situations, explains and applies interpretation of statutes as needed.
• Receive and prepare information to respond to subpoenas that may have a variety of purposes, ensuring that proper processes are followed and review is given as necessary. Prepare and resolve issue relative to divorce affidavits, and domestic relations orders.
• Position is responsible for gathering the necessary information on an overpayment situation and communicating/negotiating with the member on the payment options.
• Communicates information thoroughly and effectively in writing by composing and preparing written response to letters, emails, and telephone requests from members and agencies.
• Effectively trains and counsels others both members and other RSD staff on Orbit Self Service, understanding statutes, navigating retirement-on-line and on any other retirement/benefit issues as requested or needed.
• All other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, paid vacation, paid sick time, paid holidays, as well as retirement.
• If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• This position currently qualifies for a hybrid telework option with routine office and remote workdays.
• The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NC Flex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees