STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

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

Target Class: Retirement and Benefits Officer

Recruitment #250328-2292AR-001

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Introduction


The State of Connecticut, Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) is seeking motivated individuals eager to launch a career in retirement and benefits administration with the Retirement Services Division (RSD) as a Connecticut Careers Trainee. Join our team and embark on a rewarding career that offers growth, superlative benefits, and a culture that encourages work/life balance.

This structured training program provides the opportunity to obtain the experience necessary to qualify for the target class of Retirement and Benefits Officer. The Connecticut Careers Trainee Program is for a minimum of 1 year to a maximum of 3 years and is based on how long it will take the candidate to meet the experience and training requirements of the Retirement and Benefits Officer. Candidates must possess the general experience of the target class at the conclusion of the developmental program.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
  • Join a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on America’s Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024.
  • Comprehensive health and dental insurance, providing you with peace of mind and access to quality healthcare.
  • Robust pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings to secure your financial future.
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, personal days, and 13 holidays per calendar year.
  • We are an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, which means you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.
  • A culture that recognizes the importance of work/life balance and offers alternate work schedules and telecommuting options.
  • Opportunities to invest in your professional growth and development with training programs, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities for advancement within the State of Connecticut.
  • Connecticut is a strong community with a lot to offer in entertainment, food and shopping, recreation in our beautiful state parks and forests, diverse culture, and rich history. Learn more about all Connecticut has to offer.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Full-Time, 40 hours per week
  • Monday through Friday
  • Location: 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
  • Hybrid (office/telework) may be available
Salary Note*: Eligibility for promotion to the target classification of Retirement and Benefits Officer is earned upon successful completion of the training program. 
  • Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree will serve a two (2) year training program.
  • Candidates with a Master’s degree may be eligible for a shorter training period.
  • The salary for an employee who completes any of the above minimum requirements after initial appointment to the Connecticut Careers Trainee job class will be adjusted commensurate with the schedule below and effective the pay period following the date the Master’s degree has been conferred or the pay period following the date the appropriate number of credits as indicated have been earned. 
  • For current state employees compensation will be in accordance with guidelines for computing salary adjustments set forth by the Department of Administrative Services, Determining Salary Upon Change in Class Manual.
   Salary Plan
Bachelor's degree and/or qualifying experience  AR 15, Step 1 ($54,388) 
 Master's degree AR 15, Step 2 ($56,354)

THIS JOB IS FOR YOU IF
  • You have strong attention to detail and the ability to work in a high-volume environment to contribute to the smooth and efficient processing of multiple business areas.
  • You’re highly organized and responsive and able to follow and prioritize a systematic workflow.
  • You communicate well with others and can explain information to a wide range of audiences.
  • You value fiscal accountability and want to be a reliable steward of state resources.
  • You want to do work that matters and want to build a better Connecticut with the Office of the State Comptroller, promoting economic growth, advocating for fiscal control, and championing policies that lower costs.
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
  • Receive all necessary on-the-job training to prepare to qualify for the target class of Retirement and Benefits Officer;
  • Communicate with members of the relevant retirement plans, using excellent oral and written communication skills either via email, by phone, or in person;
  • Advise members about pensions, disability benefits, retiree health benefits, and account settlements;
  • Prepare and analyze eligibility files, queries, and reports in multiple database systems;
  • Use analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret the multiple sources of authority-containing rules that govern Connecticut retirement plans including Connecticut statutes and regulations;
  • Monitor members’ enrollments, with a primary focus on placing members in the proper retirement plan;
  • Review and audit all transactions relating to enrollment, contributions to the plan, and members’ eligibility to receive pensions;
  • Monitor payments and ensure timely processing and reconciliation; 
  • Prepare queries, sequels and efficiencies relating to system operations;
  • Create ad-hoc reports for data analysis;
  • Liaise with external stakeholders;
  • Attend benefit meetings;
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
ABOUT US
The Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) is an agency whose mission is to provide accounting and financial services, administer employee and retiree benefits, develop accounting policy and exercise accounting oversight, and prepare financial reports for the state, federal and municipal governments, and the public. 

We are located in the State Office Building at 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT. This state-of-the-art building offers free garage parking, an on-site cafeteria, and ergonomic workspaces.

The Retirement Services division provides oversight and management of the state pension plans serving more than 40,000 state retirees, performing a comprehensive package of services including retirement counseling, processing retirement applications from state agencies, investigating and implementing mandated revisions to pension plans, and developing new products based on retirement conditions and trends.

Selection Plan

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY
  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below. 
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing osc.hr@ct.gov.
  • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting. 
AFTER YOU APPLY
  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • 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, subject to the provisions of Section 31-51i and conducted in accordance with Section 29-17a of the Connecticut General Statutes. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation.
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, but your application may be considered for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics. 
CONNECT WITH US
  • Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. 
  • If you have any questions about this recruitment, please contact Sara Garrett at osc.hr@ct.gov or 860-702-3572.
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn to stay updated on our career opportunities and news.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated job class at the completion of the development program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, or computer science.
  • Experience analyzing business financial documents in an academic or professional setting.
  • Experience communicating information to stakeholders, including both verbal and written communication.
  • Experience performing accounting, budgeting, reconciliation, or financial reporting functions.
  • Experience collecting, aggregating, and analyzing datasets to compose reports. 
  • Experience with Microsoft Excel to create financial reports using functions such as pivot tables, VLOOKUP, or formulas.

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 require accommodations under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Sara Garrett at osc.hr@ct.gov or 860-702-3572.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.


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