RETIREMENT COUNSELOR I

Position Number: 22176239

County: Pulaski

Posting End Date: September 9, 2026

Anticipated Starting Salary: $47,397

Join the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System (APERS) as a Retirement Support Specialist!

APERS is seeking motivated individuals with a passion for exceptional customer service to join our Retirement Support Center which functions as our call center. As the first point of contact, you’ll assist members with retirement benefits and guide them through the retirement process.

What we’re looking for:

*Strong communication skills to provide clear assistance and direct inquiries appropriately.

*Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and handle high call volumes efficiently.

* Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook) and ability to learn new software systems.

Call Center experience is preferred but not required. Make a meaningful impact by supporting our members as they plan for their future.

Who We Are:

At APERS, you will be part of a team that serves over 100,000 active members and retirees from across the state of Arkansas. As the state’s second-largest retirement system, we manage a trust fund of over $11 billion and we distribute over $600 million dollars in benefits to our retirees and beneficiaries each year. On a daily basis, you will have an opportunity to make a positive impact, as you help us achieve our mission of providing a secure income in retirement to our members and their beneficiaries.

What We Value:

APERS is seeking knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and service-minded individuals to build our team. Our employees serve our members with a positive attitude and strive to exceed our members’ expectations with their accuracy and willingness to go above and beyond. They collaborate with their coworkers and treat others respectfully as they work to meet the needs of our members. We hold our employees to high standards of quality, and we help them develop the knowledge and skill necessary to achieve excellence in their roles.

What We Offer:

• Health insurance and supplemental dental, vision, and other plans
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Annual leave and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays and 8 hours Children’s Educational Activity Leave (CEAL) annually
• Defined benefit retirement plan with 5 year-vesting
• Optional 457(b) deferred compensation retirement plan
• Career service recognition program
• Paid parking
• Business casual dress including nice jeans

Position Information

Job Series: Program Operations – Retirement

Classification: Retirement Counselor I

Class Code: PRE01P

Pay Grade: SGS05

Salary Range: $47,397 – $70,148

Job Summary

The Retirement Counselor I is responsible for providing initial consultative services to active and future retirees. This role involves assisting individuals in understanding their retirement benefit options, eligibility requirements, and the processes to access benefits. The counselor serves as a knowledgeable resource, interpreting retirement policies, explaining benefit computations, and guiding clients through administrative procedures. Designed for early-career professionals, the role provides a solid foundation in retirement benefits administration while offering opportunities for professional development and growth.

Primary Responsibilities

Conduct one-on-one counseling sessions to explain retirement benefits, eligibility criteria, and the steps involved in processing retirement claims. Provide clear explanations of various retirement programs, including service retirement, disability retirement, survivor benefits, and related options. Organize and participate in group seminars or workshops aimed at educating employees about retirement planning and benefit updates. Distribute informational materials and assist with answering inquiries regarding retirement procedures. Assist in gathering and reviewing personnel data, such as length of service and benefit entitlements, to help compute accurate retirement estimates. Maintain comprehensive and accurate records of counseling sessions, client interactions, and related documentation in compliance with regulatory requirements. Learn and apply applicable federal, state, and program-specific retirement laws and regulations in daily tasks. Ensure that client guidance and administrative procedures meet all relevant policies and adherence standards. Work closely with senior counselors, human resources, and benefits administrators to resolve queries and enhance the overall retiree services process. Participate in ongoing training sessions to update knowledge regarding changing regulations and emerging best practices in retirement benefits administration.

Knowledge and Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for explaining complex retirement information clearly and professionally. A customer service orientation with a friendly, empathetic, and professional demeanor when interacting with members and beneficiaries. Strong attention to detail for reviewing personnel records, benefit computations, and maintaining accurate documentation. Proficiency with standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office) and a willingness to learn specialized retirement management systems. Eagerness to quickly learn retirement policies and practices, as well as stay updated on changes in the regulatory environment affecting retirement benefits.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field.

Satisfaction of the minimum qualifications, including years of experience and service, does not entitle employees to automatic progression within the job series. Promotion to the next classification level is at the discretion of the department and the Office of Personnel Management, taking into consideration the employee’s demonstrated skills, competencies, performance, workload responsibilities, and organizational needs.

Licensure/Certifications

N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Veteran Preference: A copy of a DD-214 (long Form for veteran) or a letter from the Veteran’s Administration (for the spouse of a veteran) must be submitted with your application to be considered for Veteran Preference . Please note that if you do not submit the proper documentation with your application, you will not receive the preference points.

Special Application Information :

Incomplete applications will not be considered. List current/most recent job first. Account for all time periods including unemployment, self-employment, and military service. A resume may be attached to your required online application form; however, it may not be used as a substitute for completing any part of our application . Currently, there is a 6.00% mandatory employee pre-tax contribution to the APERS retirement plan and direct deposit is the required method of pay.

ONLY COMPLETED STATE OF ARKANSAS APPLICATIONS WITH WORK HISTORY WILL BE ACCEPTED.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.