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Working Title: Benefits Specialist
Job Class: Retirement Services Specialist
Agency: Teachers Retirement Association
- Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
- Date Posted: 02/22/2024
- Closing Date: 03/06/2024
- Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Teachers Retirement Assoc / Teachers Retirement Asc-MAPE
- Division/Unit: TRA Member Benefits
- Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
- Days of Work: Monday - Friday
- Travel Required: No
- Salary Range: $22.61 - $32.71 / hourly; $47,209 - $68,298 / annually
- Classified Status: Classified
- Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
- FLSA Status: Nonexempt
- Telework Eligible: Yes
- Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.
The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.
Job Summary
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 a Benefits Specialist.
This position is part of TRA’s Member Benefits department and exists to help educators understand the value of retirement planning specific to TRA benefits. The incumbent hired will be required to analyze and perform a variety of calculations, both routine and complex. Additionally, the incumbent will further be required to explain TRA’s available benefits and options to educators in covered Minnesota public schools primarily by phone, chat, and email.
This position is located in our St. Paul, Minnesota office. The role is telework eligible, but will require the incumbent to work a schedule that includes some in-person work. 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.
Qualifications
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, Accounting, Finance, Math, Public Administration, or a closely related field can substitute for this experience.
Work experience must demonstrate the following:
- Experience performing calculations.
- Ability to interpret and apply laws and policies to work assignments.
- Ability to train and explain 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 interpersonal, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Cisco WebEx, and/or equivalent software packages.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience communicating financial concepts to diverse audiences and stakeholders.
Experience working with or at Minnesota State Retirement System, Public Employees Retirement Association, or Teachers Retirement Association.
Possession of an Advanced Degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Math, Public Administration 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
Application Details
How to Apply
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
If you have questions about the position or are an individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation for a scheduled interview, contact Justin Johnson at jjohnson@minnesotatra.org.
To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Justin Johnson at jjohnson@minnesotatra.org.
Why Work for Us
Diverse Workforce
We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.
A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:
- 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
- 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
- 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
- 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule
Comprehensive Benefits
Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:
- Public pension plan
- Training and professional development
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 11 paid holidays each year
- Paid parental leave
- Low-cost medical and dental coverage
- Prescription drug coverage
- Vision coverage
- Wellness programs and resources
- Employer paid life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability
- Health care spending and savings accounts
- Dependent care spending account
- Tax-deferred compensation
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.
Teachers Retirement Association also offers free ramp parking at our St. Paul Office location.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
We will make reasonable accommodations 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 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.
