Introduction
The Maryland State Retirement
Agency (“Agency”) is the administrator of the Maryland State Retirement and
Pension System (“System”). The System is a defined benefit pension plan covering
governmental employees within the State of Maryland. The System has over
400,000 participants (customers), including 192,000 members who are actively
employed and enrolled, 170,000 payees who receive a monthly retirement benefit
payment, and 40,000 vested members who are no longer actively employed but who
have earned a benefit that will become payable at a future date.
The agency is seeking to fill a Retirement Benefits Specialist Advanced position within its Member Services Unit. NOTE: This position is open only to current MSRA employees in the Administration Division.
GRADE
17
LOCATION OF POSITION
120 East Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
POSITION DUTIES
The main purpose of the Retirement Benefits Specialist (RBS) is to be the human interface between the Retirement Agency and its members, retirees, beneficiaries, and participating employers. As a RBS Advanced, an employee may be rotated between duties, including but not limited to, assisting customers in the Unit’s reception area, assisting customers on the telephone in the Unit’s Contact Center, assisting customers face-to-face in the Unit’s counseling area, and assisting customers by responding to written correspondence (emails and letters).
The RBS Advanced classification is required to travel to
off-site locations to serve as the Agency’s representative and presenter for
Pre-Retirement Seminars, to represent the Agency at conferences (e.g., Maryland
State Educators’ Association, Maryland Municipal League, Maryland Association
of Counties, etc.), and to represent the Agency when an employer requests that
an employee attend ad hoc meetings (e.g., decision to join the System, decision
to transfer plans among the System, decision to accept an early retirement
incentive, etc.) to answer questions raised by the employer’s employees.
The RBS will participate with the Maryland
Supplemental Retirement Plans in attending the First Steps presentations.
The platform of seminars may expand, for
example, new employee orientation regarding the benefits of being a member of
the State Retirement and Pension System.
Webinars are included in the repertoire of presentations conducted by
the RBS Advanced.
An Advanced RBS must be able to provide his/her own
transportation if a State car is not available.
Reimbursement follows the state mileage and/or expense policy.
There is no reimbursement for a rental
car.
The ability and willingness to
travel to locations throughout the entire State of Maryland is required,
including instances of overnight stays.
In all of these roles, the RBS Advanced is expected to
demonstrate excellent customer service skills, expert level knowledge of the
laws, regulations, policies, and procedures guiding the provision of pension
benefits to customers, and clear communication skills. The RBS Advanced must be
adept at listening to the customers and identifying their needs, applying their
knowledge of the System to analyze how to best address those needs, and clearly
and concisely communicating information back to the customers to ensure that
they understand their pension benefits and understand what options they may
have to resolve their questions/issues, and what steps they need to take to
help in the resolution of their questions/issues.
Additionally, a RBS Advanced must display excellent group
presentation skills, including confidence, energy/enthusiasm, read the audience
and tailor presentation accordingly, control the presentation by managing the
audience, and clearly and completely communicating the presentation’s
information.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Seven years of experience counseling employees or responding to inquiries in a call center relative to pension benefits and options available under a State, federal or local retirement and pension system.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of experience counseling employees or responding to inquiries in a call center relative to pension benefits and options available under a State, federal or local retirement and pension system for the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Maryland Retirement Coordinator certification issued by the Maryland State Retirement Agency, 120 E. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, for one year of the required experience.
3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in Business Management, Business Administration or Public Administration from an accredited college or university for five years of the required experience.
4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Financial Management classifications or Financial Management specialty codes in the Accounting and Budget field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties shall be required to possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
2. Employees in this classification must possess and maintain a Notary Public commission valid in the State of Maryland.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure that you provide
sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the minimum
requirements for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications
must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information
submitted after this date.
Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified,
Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for
at least one year. This list will be used by the hiring agency to select
employees.
For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the
equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation
service must accompany the application.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The examination will consist of a
rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your
application an as they related to the requirements of the position. You may be
asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire
may be used as part of the rating process. Therefore, it is important that you
provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please
report all education and experience that is related to this position.
BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If online access is not available, you may mail a paper application and supplemental questionnaire (if applicable) to:
DBM Recruitment & Examination Department
301 West Preston Street, Room 608
Baltimore, MD 21201
All mailed documents must include the applicant's name and the job number and must be received by the closing date. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258. TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
We thank our Veterans for their service to our country and encourage them to apply.