SERS Retirement Counselor Trainee (Multiple Positions)

These positions provide retirement counseling services for SERS members residing in the area of the assigned regional office. An employee in this job title participates in a twelve-month formal on-the-job-training program designed to develop understanding and competence in preparing retirement estimates and calculations and applying Retirement System laws.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5-hour work week, Monday through Friday.
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home part-time (hybrid telework schedule), depending on operational needs and progress in learning assigned tasks. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection; otherwise, you must work on-site at the work location specified in this job posting.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Four years of experience in a staff support position assisting with personnel administration, financial management or public relations work in a pension or retirement system or related occupational area; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes at least three years of experience in a staff support position assisting with personnel administration, financial management or public relations work in a pension or retirement system or related occupational area, supplemented by 18 credit hours in communications, human resources, business administration, psychology, labor relations or related course work; or
• A Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Human Resources, Business Administration, Business Management, Psychology, Labor Relations or a related area.
• Certification as a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist such as issued by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans is acceptable for one year of the required experience.
• Certification as a Certified Financial Planner such as issued by the Central PA Society, Institute of Certified Financial Planners is acceptable for two years of the required experience.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.