Benefits Analyst

The Montana Public Employee Retirement Administration (MPERA) is committed to providing secure and sustainable retirement benefits to nearly 60,000 members and retirees. The agency administers ten retirement plans and is dedicated to customer service, member education, and operational efficiency.

We are seeking an individual with a balance of solid math expertise and soft skills to work with a wide variety of participating members, providing retirement benefit information on ten separate retirement plans in our highly driven Fiscal Services Bureau. This includes calculating retirement benefits for members using the calculations and provisions specific to each plan, determining cost estimates for members to purchase other service into a plan, calculating benefit coordination across plans, and calculating interest payable to a member or beneficiary. This position communicates differing retirement plan provisions to participants to the diverse population of plan participants who are employees from state, university system, school district and local government employers. Given the work we do is largely regulatory in nature, we would prefer if you had a strong foundation in math.

Qualifications:

What are we seeking?

Education and Experience:

• Associates degree with coursework emphasis in accounting/ mathematics or related fields;

• Demonstrated professional experience performing higher function calculations, balancing financial variables, and providing service to a customer or other third party;

• Strong aptitude for using moderate to advanced functions of Excel;

• Alternate combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Competencies:

Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn:

• State retirement statues, administrative rules, regulations and policies;

• Actuarial principles related to the calculation of retirement benefits.

Ability to:

• Operate comfortably with moderate to advanced functions of Excel;

• Learn and apply a variety of mathematical formulas;

• Provide effective and professional customer service;

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;

• Analyze a member's retirement options and provide detailed explanation without influencing a member's decision;

• Research and analyze employment data and draw conclusions;

• Ability to interpret and apply technical knowledge of financial informational, reported data, distribution, communication, and information systems for a variety of circumstances that often are not specifically addressed by statute, rule, policy or business processes.

• Communicate complex plan provisions and resolve member questions with courtesy and respect;

• Maintain high attention to detail.

Does this sound like you?

Please tell us how and why by submitting your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter explain your experience or education using excel that would contribute to your success in this position. (Please Note: You do not need to complete the "work experience" or the "education & certifications" portion of the application process in our recruiting system. You only need to upload the requested documentation.)

What can you expect from us in return for your work at our agency?

Ø Look here to see the additional benefits! They include:

o Work/life Balance

o Health Coverage

o Retirement plans

o Paid Vacation and Sick Leave and Holidays

o And more…

Ø Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.

Other important information to be aware of.

• This position requires the successful completion of a criminal background check.

• This position does not allow for 100% telework and requires the first year to work in office.

Only online applications are accepted. By applying online, you are able to receive updates and monitor the status of your application.