Retirement Technician Trainee

Do you want to begin a new career and be part of a dedicated team that helps Pennsylvania's local governments, regardless of size or resources, secure the future retirement of their employees? Apply to be a Retirement Technician Trainee with the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System (PMRS), Processing Division. In this twelve-month formal and on-the-job training program, you will have the opportunity to learn and participate in the technical work of processing retirement applications and benefits, maintaining retirement accounts, and effectively communicating detailed benefits information to our active and annuitant members. Achieve your goals and help secure the future retirement of local government employees with our team!

In this position, you will learn how to perform technical work processing applications to maintain the retirement accounts of participating members enrolled in PMRS and complete other related duties as needed. Processing these applications involves re-naming forms, reviewing all forms for errors or deficiencies, and processing enrollment calculations; moving forms to the correct review folder for each of these steps in the process; uploading benefits documents to the correct electronic files; and updating tracking lists and case management entries.

You will also learn to prepare draft benefits correspondence, as well as effectively respond to complex inquiries from members, employers, attorneys, member representatives and auditors. This involves learning to research, interpret, and apply retirement system codes, policies, and procedures. Duties may also include traveling with other staff members to present information about PMRS to member and non-member municipalities. Success in learning this role will rely on your knowledge of basic computer applications used in an office environment, ability to understand and apply mathematical formulas in the calculation and adjustment of retirement benefits, and ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:45 AM to 4:15 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to two days per week, after successful completion of the training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• 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:

• Three years of experience in advanced clerical or technical work which includes or is supplemented by either one year of experience applying basic computer skills and techniques or three (3) credits in computer basics and techniques; or
• Associate Degree that includes or is supplemented by three (3) credits of computer basics and techniques; or
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which includes one year of advanced clerical or technical work applying basic computer skills and techniques or three (3) credits of computer basics and techniques.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three (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 Guidelines.
• 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.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

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.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

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.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.