Connecticut Careers Trainee (Administrative & Residual) (40 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), is an agency whose mission is to provide accounting and financial services, to administer employee and retiree benefits, to develop accounting policy and exercise accounting oversight, and to prepare financial reports for the state, federal and municipal governments and the public. 

We are recruiting for a full-time Connecticut Careers Trainee (CCT) with a target class of Retirement and Benefits Officer (RBO) to work in the Retirement Services Division (RSD).  Located in the OSC, the RSD administers retirement benefits for members of the State Employees Retirement System (SERS), as well benefits for other retirement plans that cover state and municipal employees: the Alternate Retirement Program (ARP), the Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS), the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System, the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System, the States Attorneys Retirement System, and the Public Defenders Retirement System.

This is a two-year (2-year) training program, Monday through Friday, 40hr/week position.  In this role, you will provide customer service to retirement plan members, either via email, by phone, or in person.  You will advise members about pensions, disability benefits, and retiree health benefits, and account settlements; prepare and analyze eligibility files, queries, and reports in multiple database systems; act as a liaison to external stakeholders; attend benefit meetings; and interpret Connecticut statutes and regulations as they pertain to retirement benefit administration. 

This position will be responsible for:
• Communicating with members of the relevant retirement plans, using excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Using analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret the multiple sources of authority containing rules that govern Connecticut retirement plans.
• Monitoring members’ enrollments, with a primary focus on placing members in the proper retirement plan.
• Reviewing and auditing all transactions relating to enrollment, to contributions to the plan, and to members’ eligibility to receive pensions.
• Monitoring payments and ensuring their timely processing and reconciliation.
• Preparing queries, sequels and efficiencies relating to system operations.
• Creating ad-hoc reports for data analysis.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.  State employees currently holding the above title or those who have previously attained permanent status in the class may apply for a lateral transfer.  Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Office of the State Comptroller are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation.

The Office of the State Comptroller is located in the newly-renovated State Office Building at 165 Capitol Avenue.  This state-of-the-art building offers an on-site cafeteria, free garage parking, and ergonomic workspaces.  The OSC offers an excellent salary and offers a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan, as well as paid time off! 

Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included a resume within the "Resume Tab" of your application. Candidates who do not submit the required documents will not be considered.                                  

NOTE: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, performance reviews, supervisory references, attendance records, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQ’s) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements and preferred qualifications of the position. 

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.

Please note that applications to this recruitment process may be used for future vacancies.

Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: Bonnie.Schlechtweg@ct.gov.

In a state agency this class is accountable for mastering the skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program for a professional position.

In a department or institution receives training in introductory governmental work for development of skills and knowledge in field of public administration in order to qualify for advancement into agency professional positions; performs a variety of increasingly difficult duties as skills are acquired during course of training period; performs related duties as required.

Oral and written communication skills; ability to acquire knowledge and skills required for the target classification; ability to understand, evaluate and solve problems by exercising judgement and logic; ability to read, interpret and understand written material; ability to perform basic arithmetical computations; ability to interpret charts, graphs and tables; learning and reasoning ability; ability to establish and maintain cooperative relations with superiors, associates and general public; ability to utilize computer software.

Possession of a Bachelor's or Master's degree.

NOTE:

1. If the target job classification has a Substitution Allowed that requires the Bachelor's or Master's degree to be in a specific area(s), then these specific degree areas are required for appointment to the Connecticut Career Trainee classification.
2. Candidates cannot be appointed until all degree requirements are complete.

Preference will be given to applicants with the following experiencing/training:
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Superior organizational and customer service skills
• Experience running queries and utilizing technology to create efficiencies
• Experience with process improvement from initial analysis through implementation
• Experience with reconciliation of complex transactions involving multiple workstreams
• Experience using the full range of Microsoft Suite specifically; to create queries, spreadsheet development including managing data, using formulas, exporting of data, developing charts/graphs and other advanced functions
• Experience communicating over the phone and in writing to a diverse population
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and skill sets
• Excellent time management and independent judgement skills

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.