Retirement Services Specialist in Augusta, Maine at Maine Public Employees Retirement System

Help ensure Maine's public employees receive accurate and timely retirement benefits.

MainePERS is seeking a Retirement Services Specialist to support the accurate and timely administration of retirement benefits while helping keep the day-to-day work of a Retirement Services business unit moving efficiently.

This is an opportunity for an experienced professional who enjoys solving complex problems, working with data, supporting colleagues, and keeping work on track. In addition to performing advanced retirement benefit work, you'll serve as a resource and subject matter expert for Pension Associates and clerks, help coordinate daily workloads, and work closely with Retirement Services leadership to meet operational and payroll deadlines.

The ideal candidate is someone who can balance technical expertise, attention to detail, collaboration, and initiative while contributing to a positive and supportive team environment.

What You'll Do

• Perform advanced retirement benefit work, including the essential functions associated with the Pension Associate III role.
• Provide day-to-day direction and support to Pension Associates and clerks, assigning work and serving as a subject matter expert and resource.
• Run and analyze reports and queries to monitor work and ensure retirement benefit payment and payroll deadlines are met accurately and on time.
• Authorize the release of payments through the retirement benefits payroll and approve appropriate adjustments related to retirement benefit overpayments and underpayments.
• Research and respond to complex member inquiries and requests for information from MainePERS management.
• Apply retirement laws, rules, policies, and procedures to research issues, resolve problems, and provide accurate information.
• Work closely with Retirement Services leadership and Business Leaders to ensure work moves efficiently through the business unit.
• Identify issues that may affect the timely or accurate processing of benefits and take initiative to help resolve them.
• Support colleagues by sharing technical knowledge, providing guidance, and helping ensure consistent and accurate work.
• Learn and adapt to new processes, systems, technology, and legislative changes.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture while meeting established standards for quality, accuracy, and timeliness.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Enjoys solving problems and helping others navigate complex information.
• Has strong technical knowledge and can serve as a trusted resource and subject matter expert for colleagues.
• Is comfortable working with data, reports, queries, and financial information and takes pride in accuracy.
• Can analyze complex information, identify issues, and use sound judgment to determine appropriate solutions.
• Can organize and prioritize work to consistently meet deadlines, including time-sensitive payroll deadlines.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with members, colleagues, management, and other stakeholders.
• Enjoys supporting and collaborating with colleagues and contributing to a positive team environment.
• Takes initiative to learn new processes, systems, and requirements.
• Can balance independent work with knowing when to collaborate or seek guidance.
• Is comfortable using Microsoft Office and Excel to research, analyze, and manage information.
• Is able to provide direction and guidance to others in a collaborative and supportive manner.

Why This Work Matters

Accurate and timely retirement benefit payments are at the heart of what MainePERS does for its members. In this role, you'll help ensure that benefits are processed correctly, payroll deadlines are met, and complex member issues are addressed with care and expertise.

Whether you're resolving a complicated member question, analyzing a report to keep payments on track, or helping a colleague work through a challenging issue, your expertise helps MainePERS deliver the accurate, dependable service our members count on.

If you're an experienced retirement services professional who enjoys solving complex problems, supporting a team, and helping make sure the details are right, we encourage you to apply.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree plus five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite.
• Proficient in Excel at the Beginner level.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree plus two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience.
• Experience demonstrating strong interviewing, interpersonal, data gathering, and analytical skills necessary to make complex eligibility determinations, resolve claims, and respond to customer service requests.
• Experience delivering group presentations.

Benefits: We offer an outstanding benefit package including: 13 Paid Holidays, Health Insurance, Dental Insurance (fully paid), Vision Care, Employer Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Employer contribution to Pension, Deferred Compensation Plan, substantial Tuition Reimbursement, Parental leave, Generous Vacation and Sick Leave.