Specialty Retirements Benefits Specialist (58060)

Specialty Retirements Benefits Specialist

Our mission is simply stated: ERS offers competitive benefits to enhance the lives of its members. Each team member across the agency contributes to our ongoing success. ERS is open for business five days a week, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, to meet customers where they need us: in person, on the phone, in their communities, and online. ERS currently offers opportunities that include flexible work schedules.

ERS is seeking a Specialty Retirements Benefits Specialist to perform advanced (senior-level) benefits administration and assistance work while ensuring the confidentiality of member personal data. Work involves determining benefit eligibility and calculating benefit amounts for all service classes (including elected officials and judges) as well as processing and providing education on specialty matters such as Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), Proportionate Retirement Program (PRP), disability retirement, Teacher Retirement System (TRS) transfer, Optional Retirement Program Disability (ORPD), and Power of Attorney (POA). Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Efficiently answers questions, educates, and counsels ERS customers of all state service classes (including elected officials and judges) in person or over the telephone regarding benefits and related tools and services, including, but not limited to, retirement, service purchase, insurance, QDROs, PRP, disability retirement, TRS transfer, ORPD, POA and other specialty matters. This involves researching and analyzing laws and rules, policies and procedures, benefit calculations, eligibility requirements, etc.
• Handles sensitive and escalated matters related to complex issues.
• Processes requests through a worklist or other assignment means. This includes, but is not limited to, QDROs, disability retirement, TRS, ORPD, and POA.
• Oversees the coordination of Medical Board reviews.
• Manages reporting such as disability retirement wage verifications, TINS and suspense file.

Essential Work Behaviors:

• Uses sound decision-making and judgment skills and appropriately applies and interprets existing laws, pending legislation, rules, policies and procedures.
• Communicates tactfully and provides information in a clear and concise manner to internal and external customers. Manages communication style to effectively communicate with various levels of knowledge and experience. This includes prominent and high profile members.
• Is flexible, organized, works well under pressure, and adapts to a frequently changing environment.
• Works independently and requires limited direction when dealing with complex issues.
• Contributes to creating a productive work unit by tactfully dealing with coworkers, working toward common goals, and demonstrating cooperation in accepting and carrying out new assignments.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
• Complies with all applicable agency policies and procedures, including safety and standards of conduct.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Your application for employment must reflect how you meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent, plus 60 semester hours of college credit. Qualifying experience beyond the minimum required may substitute for education.
2. Six (6) years of experience in benefits administration or customer service related to administering retirement and benefit plans.
3. Six (6) years of experience applying and explaining complex laws, rules, policies and procedures.
4. Six (6) years of experience researching, analyzing, and/or interpreting data, records, or case information to determine eligibility, resolve discrepancies, or make benefit-related determinations.

Preferred Qualifications: Your application for employment should reflect how you meet the following preferred qualifications:

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college/university with a degree in a field relevant to assignment.
2. Experience using PeopleSoft or other automated payroll or benefits delivery system.
3. Experience communicating complex laws and rules to prominent and high profile people.

Please Note: All submissions should contain complete job history entries, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, and a description of duties performed as related to the position you are applying for. Resumes lacking sufficient detail, such as a summary of experience in lieu of progression of work history may not meet minimum qualifications.

Other Information: In accordance with state law, authorization for telework may not be awarded to an employee as a condition of hiring. As an agency process, new employees complete a 30 day fully onsite period before evaluation for a telework agreement. This position may require access to privileged, confidential, or sensitive data. ERS will conduct either a TXDPS or FBI criminal history check on all new hires. For more information about this policy inquiries can be made to View email address on click.appcast.io. Please note: Internal applicants in the same salary group and classification as the posted position are eligible to receive an increase in salary where applicable up to the posted maximum.

ERS does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa.

How to Apply: Ready to join the dedicated, customer-focused team at ERS? Submit the following to the ERS Human Resources Office:

A State of Texas Application for Employment submitted online through CAPPS Recruit.

• Use the link below to create a CAPPS Recruit account and build your profile on the "My JobPage" tab in the upper left corner of the screen.
• Once your profile is complete, click on the "Job Search" tab in the upper left corner of the screen to view available career opportunities and submit your application.

Applications submitted through Work in Texas:

If you apply for an ERS position via Work in Texas you will also need to complete a supplemental questions form. For more details, refer to the instructions in the email you receive from CAPPS Recruit.

Please contact a Human Resources representative if you need assistance or require accommodation during the application process.

Email: View email address on click.appcast.io