Texas Department of Public Safety
ERS - Benefits Counselor - (Job Number: 00037496)
This job is now closed
Job Description
- Req#: 53951
- Graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent, plus 60 semester hours of college credit. Each year of related work experience over the minimum requirement may be substituted for one year (30 semester hours) of college credit.
- Three (3) years customer focused experience identifying and resolving issues one on one with customers.
- Two (2) years of experience educating and/or counseling a wide variety of customers on complex laws and rules.
- One (1) year of qualifying experience with Windows based computer software, including Microsoft Office and Internet browsers.
- A State of Texas Application for Employment submitted online through CAPPS Recruit.
Main Office (327-100001) (327TX-100001)
200 E 18th Street
Austin, 78701
!*!The position will start, January 23rd, 2024 and candidates selected must be available for onboarding.
This position is hybrid with some work days spent in the ERS office (see other information for details).
Who We Are:
The Employees Retirement System of Texas administers the benefits for State of Texas employees, retirees, and some employees of higher education institutions. These benefits, funded by participating members and the state, are an investment in the state workforce. More than 541,500 people rely on these benefits daily!
The ERS Benefits Counseling team is the front line in supporting our members as they navigate day to day decisions related to their benefits. Interactions with members are handled through phone calls, in person communication and email. We strive to provide supportive education and guidance to our members and their families as they move through all stages of life and career.
Who You Are:
We are looking for Benefits Counselors to work in Benefits Counseling providing exemplary insurance and retirement benefit education, problem solving, and guidance to our members over the phone, in person and by email.
To be successful as a Benefits Counselor, you will have a passion for serving people and be able to work both independently and collaboratively as a part of a supportive team.
Successful candidates will:
· Have a strong sense of self awareness
· Be adaptable
· Be problem solvers
· Have a proven track record of good judgement and decision making at work
· Be hungry for feedback and have a professional approach to implementing it
· Be able to successfully complete ERS Benefit Counselor training program
· Be interested in personal and professional growth
Starting Salary: $4,350 / month
o Potential pay incentives for meeting performance targets within the first two years as a Benefits Counselor.
Benefits Value: $1,428+ / month
o Defined Retirement Benefit Plan
o Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
o Medical Insurance
o Optional Benefits such as dental, vision, and life insurance
o 8 hours sick leave per month
o 8 hours vacation per month with potential to earn more with longevity
o Additional PTO earning opportunities
o EAP services
As an ERS employee, Benefit Counselors receive a total competitive benefit package valued at $5,778 / month.
In addition to the above compensation and benefits package, the ERS Benefits Counseling hours of operation are 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. This means no shift work! ERS closes for 9 holidays throughout the year, including Thanksgiving Day and the day after, as well as Christmas Eve through the Day after Christmas.
ERS employees receive free parking in the area, and we are in walking distance of many different bus routes, other public transportation options, different restaurants, and downtown Austin events and venues.
The ERS Benefits Counseling team is devoted to providing ongoing career learning and skill development for its Benefit Counselors.
What you will do:
As a Benefits Counselor in Benefit Counseling, you will work in a fast-paced environment answering highly complex incoming inquiries through telephone calls, in person communications and email from Texas state employees and retirees with questions regarding health, dental, and life insurance benefits, retirement eligibility, and retirement or benefits problem resolution issues. Benefits Counselors educate employees and retirees and promote other ERS services that support members. Work is performed under the supervision of the Benefits Counseling leadership team with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
· Efficiently answers questions, educates, and counsels ERS members regarding state employee benefits programs, including insurance, retirement, online tools, and any ERS related matters.
· Communicates tactfully and provides information in a clear and concise manner. Manages communication style to match customers with various levels of knowledge and experience.
· Uses sound decision-making and judgment skills and appropriately applies and interprets existing law, pending legislation, rules, policies and procedures.
· Promotes ERS related tools, services, and programs.
· Provides exceptional benefits counseling as defined by service delivery standards.
· Assists Benefits Counseling leadership with handling moderately complex member inquiries.
· Provides moderate training support to other Benefits Counseling team members.
· Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Your application for employment must reflect how you meet each of the following minimum qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications: Your application for employment should reflect how you meet the following preferred qualifications:
5. Experience in human resources related field including health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plans or other employee benefits.
PLEASE NOTE: All applications should contain complete job history entries, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.
Other Information:
All counselors must successfully complete the ERS Benefits Counselor training program.
ERS operates in a hybrid work environment. Each week, some days are spent working at the ERS office and the rest working from home free of background noise and distractions. ERS Benefits Counselor training program may, at times, require counselors to be in office full time before they begin working a hybrid schedule.
This position may require access to privileged, confidential, or sensitive data. ERS will conduct either a TXDPS or FBI criminal history check on all new hires. For more information about this policy inquires can be made to employment@ers.texas.gov.
Military Occupational Specialty Codes:
There is no Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code for this job classification. Please contact Human Resources at employment@ers.texas.gov with questions or for additional information.
Additional Military Crosswalk information specific to this posting can be accessed at the State Auditor’s office link below. Compare the Class Number in the ERS job posting to the Class Code on the State Auditor’s Office listing of job descriptions. The Military Crosswalk appears under Occupational Category for each job description. http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.
How to Apply: Ready to join the dedicated, customer-focused team at ERS? Submit the following to the ERS Human Resources Office by 5 P.M. on the closing date:
o Use the link below to create a CAPPS Recruit account and build your profile on the “My JobPage” tab in the upper left corner of the screen.
https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/327/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en
o Once your profile is complete, click on the “Job Search” tab in the upper left corner of the screen to view available career opportunities and submit your application.
o Note: Resumes will be accepted only as supplements to a State of Texas Application for Employment.
Applications submitted through Work in Texas:
If you apply for an ERS position via Work in Texas https://www.workintexas.com/vosnet/Default.aspx, you will also need to complete a supplemental questions form. For more details, refer to the instructions in the email you receive from CAPPS Recruit.
Please contact a Human Resources representative if you need assistance or require accommodation during the application process.
Email: Employment@ers.texas.gov Web: www.ers.texas.gov
Relay Texas TDD: (800) 735-2989
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/employees-retirement-system-of-texas/
About the company
Texas is a state in the South Central region of the United States.
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