Retirement Services Specialist Principal - Member Counseling Team Lead

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays

Low-cost health insurance

Pension plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

EAP and training

Job summary

Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) in Saint Paul seeks a qualified Member Counseling Team Lead to oversee retirement benefit calculations and counseling. You will provide accurate benefit estimates, train staff, and coordinate workloads within the Member Counseling Department.

The role requires strong communication, analytical skills, and prior pension or retirement benefits experience. This full-time position offers telework eligibility with a mandatory six-month in-person training period in

Qualifications

• Three years of work experience in customer service related to employee or government benefits administration.
• Ability to train, explain, and present complex financial concepts to varied audiences.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate priorities and schedules.
• Ability to lead, coach, and provide feedback to staff.
• Ability to interpret pension law and analyze proposed legislation.
• Strong written and verbal communication for enterprise projects.

Responsibilities

• Audit and determine retirement benefits for TRA members; provide benefit estimates.
• Assist with complex benefit calculations and respond to staff questions.
• Schedule staff and provide ongoing training and coaching.
• Lead the Member Counseling department under supervision.

Skills

Customer service

Auditing calculations

Training / coaching

Pension knowledge

Interpersonal communication

Problem solving

Lead / supervise

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Public Administration/Accounting/Finance/Math/Economics

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Access

PowerPoint

Outlook

Cisco WebEx

Job description

• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Education Verification

Working Title: Member Counseling Team Lead

Job Class: Retirement Services Specialist Principal

Agency: Teachers Retirement Association

• Job ID: 97825
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 10/19/2026
• Closing Date: 11/02/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Teachers Retirement Assoc / Teachers Retirement Asc-MAPE
• Division/Unit: TRA Pension Administration / Member Counseling Department
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Days
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes - Up to 10%
• Salary Range: $30.76 - $45.26 / hourly; $64,226 - $94,502 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well‑being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) has been providing pension coverage to Minnesota educators for decades, with a mission to help members and their beneficiaries plan for an independent and financially secure retirement. We are currently seeking job candidates with strong communication, interpersonal, and mathematical skills to serve as our Member Counseling Team Lead.

This position will report to the Member Counseling Supervisor, and will assist with leading the TRA’s Member Counseling department. The incumbent hired into this role will perform advanced professional audit, computational, analytical, and counseling work in order to determine retirement benefits for TRA members; provide benefit estimates to future benefit recipients; and assist staff with complex benefit calculations and questions. The position will also be tasked with scheduling staff and providing ongoing training/coaching to new and existing staff.

This position is located in our Saint Paul, Minnesota office. The role is telework eligible; however, incumbent must work a full‑time in‑person schedule for at least the first six (6) months to complete mandatory training. Thereafter, the position will follow a designated hybrid work schedule based on business need and performance. Additionally, business travel may be required up to 10% for these roles.

TRA prioritizes work‑life balance for our employees and may request, only on occasion, that staff work overtime and/or flex their time in order to complete critical projects or meet important deadlines. Typically, full‑time, non‑exempt employees at TRA work a 40‑hour workweek.

Minimum Qualifications

Three (3) years of work experience providing customer service related to employee and/or government benefits administration, accounting, payroll, finance, or insurance.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Math, Economics, or closely related field can substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Experience must also demonstrate the following:

• Demonstrated experience performing and auditing complex calculations.
• Ability to train, explain, and publicly present complex financial concepts to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to plan, organize, and successfully coordinate/manage competing priorities, deadlines, and scheduling member appointments and/or workshops.
• Ability to lead, coach, and provide constructive feedback to employees.
• Ability to interpret current pension law and provide analysis of proposed legislation.
• Ability to diagnose problems and recommend solutions for process improvement purposes.
• Strong interpersonal, written communication, and verbal communication skills necessary to collaborate on enterprise projects and initiatives; communicate information about sensitive topics; influence others to resolve conflicting viewpoints; and champion a work culture that advocates for inclusion.
• Advanced proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook; Cisco WebEx; or equivalent software packages.

Successful candidates must also be able to secure own transportation for in‑state business travel.

Preferred Qualifications

Leadership experience providing retirement or pension benefit services.

Experience performing financial or benefit counseling for members, employees, or clients.

Experience presenting complex financial concepts to diverse audiences and stakeholders.

Experience in delivering financial planning and educational material to adult audiences in a group or individual setting.

Physical Requirements

Experience working with or at another public pension organization.

This position requires occasional transporting of articles such as file folders, ledgers and/or small tools. May be required to move or maintain a stationary position for long periods of time.

Additional Requirements

Successful candidates must pass past-employer reference checks and a criminal background check.

It is the policy of TRA that all finalist(s) submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• State of Minnesota state government employment records check (applies to current and past State of Minnesota state government employees only)
• Criminal History Check
• Employee Reference Check
• Social Security and Address Verification
• Education Verification
• Driver's License Check

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax‑free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well‑being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well‑being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies

based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

Teachers Retirement Association

also offers free ramp parking at our Saint Paul Office location.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran‑friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] and let us know the support you need.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, or are an individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation for a scheduled interview, contact Justin Johnson at [e-mail].