Retirement Services Specialist - Benefits Counselor

Benefits Counselor

Job Class: Retirement Services Specialist

Agency: Teachers Retirement Association

Job ID: 96074

Location: St. Paul

Telework Eligible: Yes

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Unlimited

Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers

Date Posted: 08/05/2026

Closing Date: 08/18/2026

Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Teachers Retirement Assoc / Teachers Retirement Asc-MAPE

Division/Unit: TRA Pension Administration/Member Counseling and Outreach

Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift

Days of Work: Monday - Friday

Travel Required: Yes - Up to 10%

Salary Range: $24.40 - $35.30 / hourly; $50,947 - $73,706 / annually

Classified Status: Classified

Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Please note that this posting will be used to fill up to two (2) vacancies.

Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) has been administering pension coverage to Minnesota educators for decades, with a mission to help members and their beneficiaries plan for an independent and financially secure retirement. We are currently seeking job candidates with strong communication, interpersonal, and mathematical skills to serve as Benefits Counselors.

These positions are part of TRA's Member Counseling and Outreach department and exist to help educators understand the value of retirement planning specific to TRA benefits. These positions will deliver TRA benefit information via phone, video, and in-person appointments to both individuals and groups. The incumbents hired will further be required to explain and present TRA's available benefit options to Minnesota public school educators at virtual and in-person events. Additionally, the incumbents will also perform a variety of benefit calculations, both routine and complex.

These positions are located in our St. Paul, Minnesota office. The roles are telework eligible; however, incumbents must work a full-time in-person schedule for at least the first six (6) months to complete mandatory training. Thereafter, the positions are anticipated to follow a designated hybrid work schedule based on business need and performance.

TRA prioritizes work-life balance for our employees and may request, only on occasion, that staff work overtime and/or flex their time in order to complete critical projects or meet important deadlines. Typically, full-time, non-exempt employees at TRA work a 40-hour workweek.

Travel may be required up to 10% for these roles.

Minimum Qualifications

One (1) year of experience providing customer service related to employee benefits administration, government benefits administration, accounting, payroll, finance, or insurance. A Bachelor's degree in Business/Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Math, or a closely related field can substitute for this experience.

Experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience performing calculations.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and policies to work assignments.
• Ability to train, explain, and publicly present financial concepts to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to diagnose problems and recommend solutions for process improvement purposes.
• Ability to plan, organize, and successfully manage competing priorities.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Cisco WebEx, and/or equivalent software packages.

Successful candidates must also be able to secure their own transportation for in-state business travel.

Preferred Qualifications

Two (2) or more years of experience in financial services or the public sector, with a focus on employee and/or government benefits, accounting, payroll, finance, or insurance.

Experience performing financial and/or benefit counseling for members, employees, or clients.

Experience in presenting financial concepts and/or financial planning material to diverse audiences.

Possession of an Advanced Degree in Business/Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Math, or a related field.

Physical Requirements

This position requires occasional transporting of articles such as file folders, ledgers and/or small tools. May be required to move or maintain a stationary position for long periods of time.

Additional Requirements

** Successful candidates must pass past-employer reference checks and a criminal background check. **

It is the policy of TRA that all finalist(s) submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• State of Minnesota state government employment records check (applies to current and past State of Minnesota state government employees only)
• Criminal History Check
• Employment Reference Check
• Social Security and Address Verification
• Education Verification
• Driver's License Check

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io . Please indicate what assistance is needed.