STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Retirement Examiner (State Comptroller)

Recruitment #230531-3644CL-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 a full-time Retirement Examiner to be part of the team in the Customer Service Center in the Retirement Services Division.  The selected candidate will handle inquiries via telephone calls, emails, letters, and in-person visits regarding retirement.  The main function is to research and resolve issues as they may relate to payroll, healthcare, deferred compensation, benefits, calculations and more.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Full-time, first shift
  • 40 hours per week
  • Monday - Friday, between the hours of 8:00am - 5:00 p.m. (Customer Service Center operating hours)
  • Located in downtown Hartford, close to major highways
  • Hybrid telework opportunities are available upon successful completion of the training period

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

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Selection Plan

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: sara.garrett@ct.gov.

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.

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, this class is accountable for providing technical assistance by responding to a wide variety of highly complex inquiries for all divisions and independently performing a full range of tasks in the examination and preparation of pension computations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Responds to inquiries in a variety of ways such as, but not limited to, telephone, electronic communication, written communication, and in-person regarding retiree payroll functions; researches and resolves retiree benefit enrollment issues; examines incoming materials for accuracy to ensure completeness and compliance with State of Connecticut statutes and regulations; prepares and sends correspondence regarding retiree benefits;  examines retirement applications and supplementary documentation for accuracy and completeness, benefit computations, adjustments and settlements for compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements; applies auditing principles, complex formulas and statistical and/or actuarial tables when preparing pension estimates in response to requests by pending retirees and for inclusion in retirement system; audits computer generated benefit computations to verify individual data and totals; manually calculates benefit computations in cases of part time service, outside service, disability leave or early retirement; completes code sheets for information to be entered into computerized retirement system; audits computer generated statistical reports for accuracy against original records; computes settlements paid to beneficiaries of deceased retirees; computes retroactive payments and adjustments due to changes in legislation and/or court decisions; responds verbally and in writing to employee and agency inquiries regarding retirement data; may reconstruct individual retiree employment and salary history in order to detect and adjust for errors in payment; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of financial record keeping principles, practices and procedures; knowledge of payroll principles, practices and procedures; considerable skill in performing arithmetical computations; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to analyze financial and service data of retirement accounts; ability to utilize statistical and actuarial tables in computing retirement benefits; ability to read, understand and apply laws, contracts and regulations; ability to operate office equipment including personal computers or other electronic equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Four (4) years of experience in highly complex clerical work involving bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts examining, finance or retirement services.

Note: For State employees, this is interpreted at the level of Office Assistant.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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 two (2) years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum 2 years of customer service experience
  • Experience in a call center environment
  • Ability to analyze and calculate financial data
  • Ability to read, understand, and apply laws, contracts, and regulations
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to operate office equipment and utilize computer software, especially Microsoft Office programs
  • PeopleSoft experience 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.