State Program Administrator - State Volunteer Firefighter (SVF) Program Specialist

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 51,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) in Minnesota seeks a detail-oriented professional to administer the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter (SVF) Plan, serving fire departments and volunteer firefighters across the state. You will ensure accurate retirement benefit administration while adhering to pension laws, reporting standards, and tax requirements.

You will work as a primary resource for fire chiefs and other stakeholders, providing guidance on program requirements, reporting

Qualifications

• Two years of technical, para-professional or professional experience.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, or comparable software to create correspondence, reports, spreadsheets and status reports.
• Experience reviewing inquiries or requests and gathering pertinent information from stakeholders.
• Experience applying existing policies, procedures, and statutes to information and data to make and document determinations.

Responsibilities

• Administer the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter (SVF) Plan for Minnesota.
• Provide guidance on program requirements, reporting obligations, and plan administration.
• Review and analyze information submitted by participating organizations and apply applicable statutes, policies, and procedures.
• Resolve issues and make determinations that support effective administration of the plan.
• Monitor compliance, prepare reports and correspondence, and communicate complex program requirements clearly.

Skills

Excel

Customer service

Policy interpretation

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Job description

• Job ID: 96560
• Location: St. Paul
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 09/02/2026
• Closing Date: 09/23/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Public Employees Retire Association / Public Employ Retire Assoc-MAPE
• Division/Unit: Adm Employer Services
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $24.40 - $35.30 / hourly; $50,947 - $73,706 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

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.

Job Summary

Support Minnesota's Volunteer Firefighters Through Expert Program Administration at PERA!

The Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) is seeking a detail-oriented and service-focused professional to administer the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter (SVF) Plan, serving fire departments and volunteer firefighters throughout Minnesota. In this role, you will help ensure the accurate administration of retirement benefits while supporting compliance with pension law, reporting standards, and tax requirements.

You will serve as a primary resource for fire chiefs, governing body representatives, and other stakeholders by providing guidance on program requirements, reporting obligations, and plan administration. The position reviews and analyzes information submitted by participating organizations, applies applicable statutes, policies, and procedures, resolves issues, and makes determinations that support the effective administration of the plan.

This role requires strong analytical, organizational, and customer service skills to collect, evaluate, and maintain program data; monitor compliance; prepare reports and correspondence; and communicate complex program requirements in a clear and understandable manner. You will build collaborative relationships with stakeholders across the state while helping ensure participating organizations understand their responsibilities and meet program requirements.

The successful candidate is a proactive problem solver who can manage multiple priorities, work independently and collaboratively, and provide exceptional service while supporting the retirement security of Minnesota's volunteer firefighters. If you are passionate about public service, program administration, compliance, and stakeholder engagement, we encourage you to apply.

This position is telework eligible and offers a hybrid work schedule, based on agency and department needs. Scheduled in-office workdays will be at the PERA office, 60 Empire Drive, Suite 200, St. Paul, Minnesota.

• Candidates residing in Minnesota within 50 miles of our St Paul office may be eligible to telework up to 50%.
• Candidates residing in Minnesota and more than 50 miles from our office may be eligible to telework more than 50%.
• Candidates residing in a bordering state within 50 miles of our office may be eligible to telework up to 50%.
• Candidates who do not reside in Minnesota or within 50 miles of the office in a state bordering Minnesota are not eligible to be hired, unless planning to relocate within 50 miles of the office or report to the office full time.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed below and indicates the beginning and ending day, month, and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of the minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

This position requires a minimum of two (2) years of technical, para-professional or professional experience, additionally:

• Experience using Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, or comparable software, to create correspondence, reports, spreadsheets and status reports for supervisor and organizational leaders, peers, stakeholders and other governmental organizations.
• Experience reviewing inquires or requests and gather pertinent information and data from stakeholders.
• Experience applying existing policies, procedures, and statutes to information and data in order to make and document determinations.

Minimum qualifications that will be assessed during the interview process:

• Experience using planning and organizational skills, managing multiple tasks, and self-directing and functioning in a team environment.
• Experience using Customer Service skills to provide prompt, courteous, and accurate information.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in written form, with individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, who do not share your same culture, ethnicity, language, or other common experiences

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of public pension plans or fire relief associations.
• Experience responding verbally or in writing to external stakeholder questions about complex benefit programs such as retirement, insurance, healthcare, public assistance, Social Security or Medicare.
• Experience administering policies, procedures, and systems to make benefit eligibility determinations.
• Experience working in a governmental or public sector environment.

Additional Requirements

It is the policy of the Retirement Systems of MN that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and past State employees only)
• Criminal History Check
• Employment Reference Check
• Social Security and Address Verification
• Education Verification
• Driver's License Check
**The Retirement Systems will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

• You have questions about this position
• You are an individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation for a scheduled interview

Veterans

To be considered for any Veteran's Status , you MUST indicate this on your application.

RECENTLY SEPARATED VETERANS (RSV) : Effective July 1, 2009, legislation provides that the top five RSV applicants who apply and meet the qualifications for a vacancy shall be granted an interview. You must:

1. Meet all Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting.
2. Meet all of the RSV criteria.
3. Submit a copy of your DD-214 form by the closing date to: [e-mail]

CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS: Effective August 1, 2012, legislation provides state agencies with the option to appoint certain disabled veterans on a noncompetitive basis if you:

1. Meet service requirements and have a verified service-connected disability rating of at least 30%.
2. Provide qualifying documentation verifying the disability.
3. Meet all Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting.
4. You must submit all documentation by the closing date to: [e-mail]

About Public Employees Retirement Association

At the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), we help Minnesota’s public servants build a secure retirement. As a tax-qualified retirement system under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, PERA administers several retirement plans that serve nearly 500,000 current and former public employees and provide monthly benefits to more than 139,000 retirees, individuals with disabilities, and survivors.

Our members include firefighters, nurses, social workers, snowplow drivers, police officers, paraprofessionals, and many others who keep Minnesota communities strong. Funded primarily through employee and employer contributions and investment earnings, PERA is proud to provide trusted retirement benefits and exceptional service to the people who dedicate their careers to serving others.

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

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.

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.