Job Opportunities in United States

What You Will Be Doing:
Working in the Member Education Center, the Specialist 1 will be providing assistance and excellent customer service to members with inquiries on the telephone, email, and in-person. You will provide responses to routine and complex questions regarding retirement and health benefits, determine retirement eligibility based on statutes and regulations, prepare standard forms and letters to request membership and claimed service information, and explain retirement benefit calculations and entitlements. You will also assist in escalated member inquiries by phone, email and in-person, make recommendations to the supervisors for system or process changes to eliminate reporting errors or to streamline processing, conduct scheduled group training or formal seminars for members of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) regarding retirement and health benefits, and conduct workshops and individual counseling sessions on the principles of retirement savings and planning in the Juneau area.

Our Mission, Values, and Culture:
The Department of Administration's Division of Retirement and Benefits administers State of Alaska and political subdivision retirement and benefit plans. We achieve organizational excellence by focusing on the customer to deliver exceptional services using effective and efficient processes.

This position represents the Division by being the first point of contact for members calling into the Member Education Center and assists members who come to the Division as walk-ins with retirement counseling. You would be an integral member of the Retirement and Benefits Operations Team, assisting members with inquiries on the telephone, by email, and in-person. We are seeking an individual who has exceptional interpersonal skills; has a commitment to professional and respectful customer service; and who can adapt to a dynamic, changing work environment.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:
The Member Education Center Team is committed to providing a supportive work environment that fosters the growth of knowledge, skills, and experience needed to advance their career in the Division. The individual hired will help provide an excellent experience for employees and retirees who seek to understand the benefits available to them and benefits they are entitled to.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:
This position is in the State Office Building in downtown Juneau with a view of the Gastineau Channel.

Who We Are Looking For:
To be successful in the position, a candidate will need the following position-specific competencies:

• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding of courtesy, concern, empathy, and politeness to members; may include effectively dealing with members who are difficult or distressed.
• Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions
• Writing: Recognizes and uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
• Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
• Customer Service: Works with members to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations.

If this sounds like your skill set, or one you would like to develop, please submit an application through Workplace Alaska.

Minimum Qualifications

Additional Required Information

At time of interview, please provide the following:

• Copies of the last two (2) performance evaluations, or two (2) letters of reference from a supervisor,
• Copies (not originals) of official college/university transcripts (only if using post-secondary education as part of your application package to meet minimum qualifications),
• A list of at least three (3) professional and/or academic references, including name, relationship, email, and phone number.

Please read the below information carefully. This applies to your application submission.

EDUCATION
To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY
This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants must meet Alaska Residency Requirements in order to be considered for employment at this time.

WORK EXPERIENCE
Applications will be reviewed to determine if minimum qualifications are met. Therefore, all work experiences the applicant is using to meet minimum qualifications for this position must be documented in the application package. Please include the employer’s name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether the employment was full or part-time. Applicants who submit packages that do not provide sufficient information to demonstrate minimum qualifications are met may not advance in the selection process.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

NOTICE
If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the ‘govermentjobs.com’ domains. For information on allowing emails from the ‘governmentjobs.com’ domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/Online Application/User/Reset Password.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to: recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance, please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/Online Application/User/Reset Password

Contact Information

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under Alaska Care Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year