STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Associate Retirement Examiner

Recruitment #220506-6890CL-001

Introduction

The State of ConnecticutOffice 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 an Associate Retirement Examiner position to work in the Retirement Services Division.  This division administers retirement benefit programs for state employees, many municipal employees, and their families. Among other things, the Retirement Services Division must apply the rules of various retirement plans to determine the benefits that are due to each individual employee.  Additional responsibilities include contract procurement, administration, and evaluation of these programs. 

The selected candidate will work in the Division’s Unit and be responsible for:

  • Researching and assembling information from multiple sources and presenting such information in statistical or narrative reports;
  • Reviewing and correcting employment records, including records maintained by various agencies in multiple legacy systems;
  • Performing complex examinations of employees’ employment records to determine the benefits to which each employee is entitled;
  • Coordinating the examination work of other staff members, and reviewing and correcting calculations of retirement benefits;
  • Training new Retirement Examiners to prepare computations of pension benefits;
  • Advising and instructing human resources personnel within state agencies on retirement matters;
  • Applying rules governing the purchase of service credit for retirement purposes;
  • Screening letters and other communications to determine what action is required;
  • Providing information upon request to the Auditors of Public Accounts;
  • Operating office equipment, including computer terminals.  

The Office of the State Comptroller is located in the newly-renovated State Office Building at 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut.  This state-of-the-art building offers free garage parking and ergonomic workspaces. 

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.

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.

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  Please ensure that your application is complete prior to submitting.  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, resume, performance reviews, supervisory references, attendance records, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  bonnie.schlechtweg@ct.gov.

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, including your SPAM/JUNK folders. You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements and preferred qualifications of the position.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of the State Comptroller, Retirement Services Division and the Teachers' Retirement Board this class is accountable for performing the most complex tasks related to retirement examinations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs the most complex duties related to retirement examinations with emphasis on most complex retirement cases; oversees and coordinates work of employees performing audits of retirement applications as to eligibility for retirement benefit and computations of benefits; ensures accuracy of retirement benefit calculations; reviews execution of audit procedures and reviews exceptions noted; attends meetings with payroll and personnel representatives of state departments or local school districts regarding audit items; advises and instructs appropriate plan members and/or personnel within state departments or local school districts on retirement matters; reconstructs entire period of member service to determine creditable service to benefits; ensures legality of various types of purchases for retirement credit; operates office equipment including computer terminals; trains new Retirement Examiners to prepare pension computations and perform retirement audits; provides information to Auditors of Public Accounts when necessary; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of payroll principles, practices and procedures; considerable knowledge of retirement audit procedures; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; considerable skill in performing arithmetical computations; skill in utilizing statistical and actuarial tables in computing retirement benefits; considerable ability to read, understand and apply laws, contracts and regulations governing payroll and retirement procedures; ability to operate office equipment including personal computers or other electronic equipment; ability to operate office suite software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience in highly complex clerical work involving bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts examining or finance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have included examining retirement accounts and preparing pension computations. For state employees this is interpreted at the level of Retirement Examiner.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. One (1) year as a Retirement Examiner may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Leadership and supervisor skills and experience
  • Extensive experience working with business records and employment rules
  • Ability to read, understand, and apply plan documents, federal and state statutes, collective bargaining agreements, court documents, and contracts
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to interpret and work with statistical and actuarial data
  • Knowledge of retirement audit procedures preferred

Conclusion

INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES AND THOSE RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE INDICATED ABOVE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  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, veterans, and persons with disabilities.  If you are requesting special accommodations under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) please contact Bonnie Schlechtweg at 860.702.3323 or Bonnie.Schlechtweg@ct.gov.