Trust Officer

Overview

At Community Bank System, Inc. (CBSI), we are dedicated to providing our customers with friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services and products. Our retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates more than 230 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, we also offer wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.

Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we're committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.

To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CBSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.

Responsibilities

• Administer accounts in accordance with stated account agreements and/or legal documents to ensure fiduciary duties and responsibilities are carried out to avoid risk and/or surcharges to the Bank.
• Administer and settle estates in accordance with a decedent's Last Will & Testament.
• Respond to inquiries or requests for information from clients/beneficiaries, accountants, attorneys, courts, interested parties, auditors, regulators, and internal Bank personnel, as appropriate.
• Document account files to reflect client/beneficiary communications, instructions, and authorizations to avoid/minimize risk to the Bank.
• Communicate account instructions/changes, as needed, to Trust Management, portfolio managers, tax preparers, and operations personnel.
• Work with portfolio managers in the development of investment objectives and policy statements.
• Daily review of account transaction activity and overdrafts with appropriate action.
• Perform annual administrative reviews on accounts.
• Direct liquidation of funds, when needed, for distributions and/or expenses from account.
• Analyze, recommend or determine discretionary distribution decisions in accordance with legal instrument and Trust Policy.
• Direct and oversee transfer of funds, account distributions, and payment of invoices.
• Prepare interim and final accountings for trusts and estates, as needed.
• Hire real estate appraisers and brokers, perform property inspections, ensure real estate is adequately insured and maintained, and ensure property that is sold reflects the best interest of the beneficiaries.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Wealth Management personnel for cross selling business opportunities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with area market centers of influence to generate new business.

Qualifications

• J.D. or B.S., B.A., or M.B.A. degree with a major in Business, Accounting, Marketing, Finance, Economics or related field.
• Paralegal with experience in trusts and estates.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal skills including comfort level for public speaking.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to analyze, comprehend, and interpret legal documents.
• Strong mathematic skills
• Accounting knowledge
• Income tax knowledge and/or experience.
• Strong attention to detail with ability to work independently and manage deadlines/workflow.
• Self-starter.
• Strong computer skills including use of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of trusts, estates, investments, employee benefits.
• Valid driver's license.
• Minimum of two (2) years' experience in trust industry or related position preferred.

Other Job Information

Compensation: Commensurate with experience plus potential for annual merit increase. In addition to your competitive salary, you will be rewarded benefits including: 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, Medical, Vision & Dental insurance, 401K with generous match, Pension, Tuition Reimbursement, Banking discounts and the list goes on!

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk or sit. Use hands and fingers, handle or feel, reach with hands or arms, and speak and hear. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to focus.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.