Retirement Benefits Counselor

CalPERS; California; Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

CalPERS seeks an Analyst I, Retirement Benefits Counselor, in the Customer Education and Outreach Division (CEOD) at the Walnut Creek Regional Office. The role educates members on retirement and health benefits, delivering guidance both in person and virtually. Office hours are 8:00 a.m.

to 5:00 p.m., with possible travel and after-hours work. It is essential to submit a Statement of Qualifications with the application.

Qualifications

• Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) required for hiring manager's review.
• SOQ must be typed, titled “Statement of Qualifications,” and each response must be numbered, listing all relevant experience, education, and training, including places of employment, dates, and duties performed.
• Describe your experience working in a high-volume customer service environment.
• Describe your written and verbal communication skills, including your ability to deliver sensitive information with tact and professionalism.
• Describe your experience with public speaking and/or conducting presentations to larger groups.

Responsibilities

• CEOD serves as the first point of contact for CalPERS active and retired members, educating and guiding on retirement program benefits and services.
• CEOD regional offices provide in-person and virtual help, conducting presentations, and meeting with customers on a one-on-one basis about retirement and health benefits.

Job description

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug‑free workplace. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-538822

Position #(s): 275-921-5157-001

Working Title: Retirement Benefits Counselor

Classification: ANALYST I

$3,861.00 - $4,839.00 A
$4,181.00 - $5,233.00 B
$5,014.00 - $6,276.00 C

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Contra Costa County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) is the nation’s largest public pension fund, providing retirement and health benefits to public employees, retirees, and their families. Headquartered in downtown Sacramento, we are a destination employer with an international reputation for leadership and innovation. At CalPERS, we’re committed to people – the people we serve, our team members, and the larger community around us. CalPERS is situated near the Napa Valley, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and other desirable destinations, and we offer competitive benefit packages, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.

If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, CalPERS invites you to apply for this employment opportunity. To find out more about our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, visit our website !

To take a look at CalPERS as a destination employer, view this YouTube video .

Job Description And Duties

Anticipated Interview Dates: We anticipate holding virtual interviews beginning the week of December 14, 2026. We look forward to meeting with you!

California Public Employee’s Retirement Systems (CalPERS) seeks an Analyst I, Retirement Benefits Counselor, in the Customer Education and Outreach Division (CEOD) at the Walnut Creek Regional Office.

The Walnut Creek Regional Office is located at 1340 Treat Blvd, in Walnut Creek, California.

Office coverage is required from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Travel and overnight travel may be required as well as working after normal business hours and weekends so please consider this before applying.

CEOD serves as the first point of contact for CalPERS active and retired members, by educating and offering guidance on retirement program benefits and services. The CEOD Regional Offices are responsible for providing in-person and virtual help to active and retirement members by conducting presentations and meeting with customers on a one‑on‑one basis about retirement and health benefits while applying the Public Employee Retirement Law (PERL), the Public Employee’s Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA), new legislation, and policy initiatives in answering customer inquiries.

Telework Information

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with up to two days of remote work and three days or more onsite, per week.

Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

Effective July 1, 2025, The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications

Please provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Applications received without an SOQ or those that do not respond to the specific questions below will not be considered.

The SOQ must be typed, titled “Statement of Qualifications,” and each response must be numbered and list all relevant experience, education, and training, including places of employment, dates, and duties performed. The SOQ must not exceed two pages in length.

• Describe your experience working in a high-volume customer service environment.
• Describe your written and verbal communication skills, including your ability to deliver sensitive information using tact and professionalism.
• Describe your experience with public speaking and/or conducting presentations to larger groups of 25 people or more.

Minimum Qualifications

All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) listed on the Classification Specification should be included in your application package to clearly demonstrate how you meet the MQs for this position. If you are using education to meet MQs, please include your transcripts with your application package. If you have a degree from outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation of this degree to determine the US equivalency. If you need an evaluation, you can visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website to find organizations that provide these services. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Posting under “Minimum Requirements.”

Please Note: You may need to pass an examination to establish list eligibility prior to a final offer of employment. To find and take an exam, visit CalHR’s CalCareers website .

Need help with your state application, resume, Statement of Qualifications, or interview preparation?

The CalPERS Career Services & Outreach team provides comprehensive support throughout the CalPERS hiring process. Our services include one-on-one online consultations for application assistance, Statement of Qualification review, and interview preparation. To schedule an appointment and receive personalized guidance from our team, please use the following booking link: CalPERS Career Services Consultations .