Telephone Counselor Associate (Remote-Texas Residents)

Teacher Retirement System of Texas; Austin (TX); Remote; USD 49,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Teacher Retirement System of Texas is seeking a Telephone Counselor Associate to support remote Texas residents, guiding members through the full range of TRS benefits and related programs. You will participate in a training program, counsel school district officials, and help with inquiries, eligibility, and potential tax implications.

Successful candidates will have a high school diploma or GED and a year of customer service experience in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; education and experience may substitute for one another.
• One (1) year of full-time experience in a call center, contact center, banking, accounting, claims processing, benefit processing, or other customer service related experience involving interpreting, applying, and communicating complex laws, regulations, and policies.
• Navigating and using computer systems and applications, such as Microsoft Office and virtual meeting software.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the TRS Benefit Counseling training program.
• Counsels members and assists school district officials regarding the full range of TRS benefit options.
• Explains benefit options, including eligibility requirements and limitations, and provides general information and referral services on related benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
• Resolves and responds to telephone inquiries and complaints.
• May research and resolve complaints and problems regarding service and disability requirements, projected benefits, health benefits, refunds, death benefits, purchase of special services, post retirements, district reporting requirements, agency forms, and other issues.
• Determines and explains benefit options and associated taxes.
• Determines, recommends, and implements appropriate actions to resolve issues and process member requests, including informing and making recommendations to members and school district officials on necessary measures.

Skills

Interpreting complex laws

Policy explanation

Customer service

Active listening

Verbal communication

Written communication

Documenting data

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Virtual meeting software

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Virtual meeting software

Job description

Telephone Counselor Associate (Remote-Texas Residents)

Requisition ID: req1464
Employment Type: Unclassified Regular Full-Time (URF)
Division: Pension Services
Compensation: 48,620.00 - 58,228.00, Annual Salary
Job Closing: 10/30/2026 at 11:59 PM (CST)
Location: 100% Remote

WHO WE ARE: In the Pension Services Division, we cultivate connection with our more than 2 million valued members by striving for excellence through counseling and administering benefits for retirees, active members, and employers. It is our goal to ensure our members have personalized service for pension benefits every day. Joining our fast-paced team you’ll have the opportunity to create meaningful experiences by learning the ins and outs of our business alongside a committed and collaborative community. Through coaching and mentorship, you’ll gain the skills you need to achieve your career goals at TRS while earning member trust and making a positive impact in their lives.

Do you have a favorite teacher who made an impact on your life? Would you like to be part of a team that provides guidance and support to hard‑working Texas public education employees? If you have a passion for customer service and want to contribute to an organization named a Top Place to Work for multiple years, then the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) is the place for you! We are hiring remote work‑from‑home Telephone Counselor Associates. If you join our team, you will be able to participate in our comprehensive benefits package and have the option to help secure your retirement with a TRS pension.

***Candidates must reside in Texas*** to be considered for this position.

Successful candidates must report in-person to New Employee Orientation at a TRS office in Austin or El Paso, Texas on January 4, 2027.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Benefit Counseling

• Participates in the TRS Benefit Counseling training program.
• Counsels members and assists school district officials regarding the full range of TRS benefit options.
• Explains benefit options, including eligibility requirements and limitations, and provides general information and referral services on related benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
• Resolves and responds to telephone inquiries and complaints.
• May research and resolve complaints and problems regarding service and disability requirements, projected benefits, health benefits, refunds, death benefits, purchase of special services, post retirements, district reporting requirements, agency forms, and other issues.
• Determines and explains benefit options and associated taxes.
• Determines, recommends, and implements appropriate actions to resolve issues and process member requests, including informing and making recommendations to members and school district officials on necessary measures.
• Interprets and explains applicable TRS rules, regulations, policies, procedures, processes, and forms.
• Receives and processes requests for informational booklets and forms.
• Documents and maintains member records by updating information into the computer database, including collecting and recording accurate notes for member files.

Performs related work as assigned.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING:

Required Education

• High school diploma or GED.
• Education and experience may substitute for one another.

Required Experience

• One (1) year of full-time experience in a call center, contact center, banking, accounting, claims processing, benefit processing, or other customer service related experience involving interpreting, applying, and communicating complex laws, regulations, and policies.
• Navigating and using computer systems and applications, such as Microsoft Office and virtual meeting software.

Required Registration, Certification, Licensure

• None

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience interpreting, applying, and communicating complex laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Experience providing in-person customer service in financial services, pension benefits, or health insurance.
• Experience with Claims processing or benefits processing.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Knowledge of

• TRS benefit programs.
• Modern office practices, systems, and equipment.

Skills in

• Interpreting, explaining, and applying complex laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Planning, organizing, and prioritizing work assignments to manage a high-volume workload in a fast-paced and changing environment, completing detailed work accurately.
• Analyzing problems and devising effective solutions.
• Using a computer in a Microsoft Windows environment with word processing, SharePoint, and other business software.
• Effective written and verbal communication, including telephone communication and active listening skills.
• Providing quality customer service.
• Efficiently and accurately documenting information into various computer systems.

Ability to

• Provide member support by telephone and written channels, including secure messages, for prolonged periods, in a high-volume contact center environment.
• Establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with co-workers, agency staff, TRS members, school district officials, and other contacts and work effectively in a professional team environment.
• Work occasional overtime, weekends, or extended hours as needed to manage the team workload.

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Codes:

Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with experience in the Military Occupational Specialty https://www.trs.texas.gov/files/trs-military-crosswalk.xlsx along with the minimum qualifications listed above may meet the minimum requirements and are highly encouraged to apply. Please contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail] with questions or for additional information.

To view all job vacancies, visit www.trs.texas.gov/careers or www.trs.csod.com/careersite.

For more information, visit www.trs.texas.gov.