Retirement Systems Information Representative 1/Trainee (NY HELPS)

Southern Arkansas University; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 61,237 - 99,656; Full time

Job summary

A state university in New York is seeking a Retirement Systems Information Representative 1/Trainee. This position involves communicating benefits-related information, conducting consultations, and delivering presentations. The role requires strong customer service skills and offers a hybrid work schedule. Applicants must have a valid driver's license and may engage in travel for group presentations, adhering to a salary grade ranging from $61,237 to $99,656 based on experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

• Four years experience conducting retirement planning consultations.
• Experience in developing informational materials and responding to inquiries.
• Commitment to providing exceptional customer service.

Responsibilities

• Communicate benefits-related information to members.
• Conduct phone, in-person, and video consultations.
• Prepare and deliver group benefit presentations.

Skills

Customer service experience

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Doctorate

Tools

PowerPoint

Job description

Apply by: All applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Applications received after 5:00 pm will not be considered.

Note: Sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must hold unrestricted work authorization. NYSTRS is unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa for this position now or in the future.

Position Summary

Retirement Systems Information Representative 1/Trainees communicate benefits-related information to NYSTRS members and, by doing so, help ensure that members have all the information they need to make educated decisions about their benefits and retirement plans.

The position of Retirement Systems Information Representative 1/Trainee is a two-year traineeship leading to a salary grade 18. The first year of the traineeship is equated to a grade 14. The second year of the traineeship is equated to a grade 16.

The department is seeking to fill five (5) vacancies.

NY HELPS Program Information

• This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
• For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications, and any specialized requirements, of the title for which they apply.
• At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination.

Minimum Qualifications

EITHER: 1) Reachable on the Civil Service eligible list; OR 2) Eligible for reassignment by virtue of having permanent competitive service as a Retirement Systems Information Representative 1 (SG-18); OR 3) Eligible for transfer under the provisions of the Civil Service Law by virtue of having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title.

To be appointed via the NY HELPS program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Retirement Systems Information Representative Trainee 1 (Grade 14): Four years of experience conducting retirement planning consultations with members; developing informational materials; participating in or conducting seminars; and responding to inquiries from employers and active or retired members.
• Retirement Systems Information Representative Trainee 2 (Grade 16): Five years of experience conducting retirement planning consultations with members; developing informational materials; participating in or conducting seminars; and responding to inquiries from employers and active or retired members.
• Retirement Systems Information Representative 1 (Grade 18): Six years of experience conducting retirement planning consultations with members; developing informational materials; participating in or conducting seminars; and responding to inquiries from employers and active or retired members.

Substitutions

An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Commitment to providing exceptional customer service
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical skills including benefits calculations
• Ability to exercise good situational judgement, flexibility, and tactfulness in interactions with internal and external customers
• Customer service experience, preferably in a contact center
• Experience presenting to groups
• Experience using PowerPoint to create and deliver presentations

Work Modality

• Currently we have a hybrid work schedule which may be subject to change in the future.
• Selected candidates are required to be in-person for the first 90 days of employment.
• A valid driver's license is required
• Some travel is required (The first year of the traineeship will be in-office; the second year of the traineeship there will be minimal travel and in year three and beyond, travel is a component of the work, and you can expect to travel within NYS delivering presentations to teachers about their retirement benefits. Currently the travel is less than 15% of an Information Representative's schedule)
• When traveling Representatives carry a laptop and small projector to the locations visited

Job Duties

The duties of the Retirement Systems Information Representative 1/Trainee include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Building an in-depth knowledge of NYSTRS’ benefits and services, and developing a strong aptitude using all available programs and resources
• Serving as a Contact Center agent—responding to member phone calls and various types of written correspondence
• Conducting phone, in-person and video consultations at System headquarters
• Preparing and delivering group benefit presentations
• Representing NYSTRS at benefit fairs

Please note: Field consultations, group benefit presentations, and benefit fairs involve driving to various locations within New York State, and some may require an overnight stay. Accordingly, a valid driver's license is required for this position.

Salary Grade

This position is a Grade 14/16/18

Salary Range

• Grade 14: $61,237 - $79,900
• Grade 16: $68,439 - $89,298
• Grade 18: $76,378 - $99,656

Job Type

EEO STATEMENT

At NYSTRS, diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to our mission of providing our members with a secure pension and exceptional customer service. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable culture where all diversity is valued and recognized as a source of strength and enrichment across all operations.

NYSTRS is proud to provide equal opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender expression or identity, national origin, age, ability and disability status, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class. We are committed to being a workplace that attracts, supports, and retains talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences while championing equal opportunity across recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

All applications to NYSTRS should be done via our website. NYSTRS will never ask you to submit private information via email or direct you to submit private information to another site as part of our recruitment process.