What are the responsibilities and job description for the Retirement Technician Trainee position at Commonwealth of PA?
THE POSITION
SERS seeks an inquisitive, results-oriented individual with motivation to learn for a position on our Purchase of Service team as a Retirement Technician Trainee. This is a rewarding opportunity to perform an essential public service in assisting other public employees with the retirement process while simultaneously working in a positive environment and enjoying a work-life balance. If this describes you, don't delay-apply today!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
An employee in this position will embark on a yearlong training program to become a full-fledged Retirement Technician in the Purchase of Service unit. You will be responsible for receiving and processing requests from active members of the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) to purchase various types of prior service for retirement credit. This involves searching through various employment and earnings records to gather the necessary information required to compute the cost for that specific type of service. It requires a keen eye for detail and an ability to perform basic mathematic calculations. The Purchase of Service unit works together to process requests, so the ability to be a team player also is a "must." This is a trainee position, so we will teach you what you need to know. After successful completion of the training year, you will receive a promotion to Retirement Technician.
Key responsibilities as a Retirement Technician Trainee include:
- Record Auditing: Review member account information to identify corrections in contribution rates, dates, or membership details
- Service Calculation: Compute credited service years used for future benefit determinations
- Data Verification: Evaluate information from multiple systems and documents to confirm eligibility for creditable service
- Arrears Processing: Prepare cost worksheets and invoices using established programs and procedures
- Account Adjustment: Request corrections to demographic data, earnings, and membership class when necessary
- Information Distribution: Forward documents and updates to appropriate offices and individuals
Interested in learning more? Additional details can be found in the position description.
About SERS: Established in 1923, SERS is one of the nation's oldest retirement plans for public employees and manages the pension benefits of more than 246,000 employees and retirees for 96 public sector employers. In 2025, SERS paid more than $4.0 billion in benefits and managed nearly $50 billion in assets. Additional information is available at www.SERS.pa.gov.
Our mission is to prepare our members and participants to achieve financial security in retirement. We achieve this through focusing on our mission, acting ethically and with integrity, empowering our members, embracing innovation, fostering life work balance, modeling an inclusive and respectful workplace, valuing and developing team members, collaborating, and finding joy in our work.
SERS is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified individuals to our team. We are committed to an inclusive and respectful work environment that fosters personal and professional growth, embraces the contributions of all team members, and leverages diversity in people, ideas, and experiences to achieve our highest potential.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment, 37.5-hour work week, Monday through Friday.
- Work hours are 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM with a half-hour unpaid meal period.
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time (hybrid telework schedule), depending on operational needs and progress in learning assigned tasks. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- Three years of experience in advanced clerical or technical work which includes or is supplemented by either one year of experience applying basic computer skills and techniques or three (3) credits in computer basics and techniques; or
- Associate Degree that includes or is supplemented by three (3) credits of computer basics and techniques; or
- Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which includes one year of advanced clerical or technical work applying basic computer skills and techniques or three (3) credits of computer basics and techniques.
- Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
Other Requirements:
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
Legal Requirements:
- You must pass a background investigation.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Veterans:
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
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You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
- Eligibility rules apply.