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TEST ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER 2006-715 ISSUED FEBRUARY 17,2006 REVISED OCTOBER 31, 2012 |
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
State Civil Service Commission
Examination
for
SERS RETIREMENT COUNSELOR TRAINEE
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Exam No. |
Job Title |
Job Code |
Pay Schedule and Range |
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1. |
SERS Retirement Counselor Trainee |
09501 |
MA06 |
If you successfully complete the training period, you will be promoted to SERS Retirement Counselor with an increase in salary.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
VETERANS: Pennsylvania law (51 Pa.C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences and opportunities for veterans, visit the Commission’s website www.scsc.state.pa.us; visit one of our offices; or call our veterans information line, (717) 787-6039.
NATURE OF WORK
Retirement Counselor Trainees are employed by the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS). You will participate in a one-year structured training program designed to develop understanding and competence in preparing retirement estimates and calculations and applying Retirement System laws. Experience is provided in conducting individual retirement counseling seminars and sessions as well as group question and answer sessions. You will be supervised by a SERS Regional Manager who assigns work, provides guidance and direction, and reviews work in progress and upon completion for adherence to established standards, rules and regulations.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
You will be tested before your qualifications are reviewed. Your test results will count only if you meet all job requirements. If after reading the requirements you are not sure you qualify, contact one of the Commission's offices listed at the end of this announcement.
You must travel regularly to and from scheduled counseling sessions, seminars, training programs and conferences within a multi-county area. Offers of employment will be made only if you are willing to travel. Travel expenses will be paid.
You will be required to spend a portion of the initial one-year training period in Harrisburg.
You must be a Pennsylvania resident, of good moral character and able to perform the essential functions of the job.
Minimum Requirements
Four years of experience in a staff support position assisting with personnel administration, financial management or public relations work in a pension or retirement system or related occupational area; OR a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Human Resources, Business Administration, Business Management, Psychology, Labor Relations or a related area; OR an equivalent combination of experience and training which includes at least 3 years of experience in a staff support position assisting with personnel administration, financial management or public relations work in a pension or retirement system or related occupational area, supplemented by 18 credit hours in Communications, Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Labor Relations or related coursework.
Certification as a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist such as issued by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans is acceptable for 1 year of the required experience.
Certification as a Certified Financial Planner such as issued by the Central PA Society, Institute of Certified Financial Planners is acceptable for two 2 years of the required experience.
Clarification of Requirements
You may substitute related education for the required experience or appropriate experience for the required education. Unrelated experience or education will NOT be accepted.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
One appointment is anticipated within the next 12 months. SERS offices are located in Bensalem, Bucks County; Harrisburg, Dauphin County; Hazelton, Luzerne County; Montoursville, Lycoming County; Pittsburgh, Allegheny County; State College, Centre County; and Seneca, Venango County.
Additional opportunities may occur due to normal turnover from retirements, promotions, transfers, resignations and so forth.
For the most recent information on job opportunities contact the State Employees’ Retirement System, Human Resources Division, 30 North Third Street – Suite 150, Harrisburg, PA 17101; Telephone: (717) 783-8085, Internet: www.sers.state.pa.us
TESTING
The test will be administered on a computer. Information about computerized testing is available online at www.scsc.state.pa.us OR in paper form at any State Civil Service Commission office.
You will have a maximum of 3 hours to complete the test covers which will cover the following subject areas:
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Subject Area |
Number of Questions |
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Reading Comprehension |
15 |
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Retirement Mathematics - Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Percentages, Ratios and the Application of Formulas Used to Compute Retirement Benefits |
30 |
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Interviewing Skills – Preparing for the Interview, Questioning Techniques, Controlling the Interview Process |
25 |
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Effective Communications |
_30_ |
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Total |
100 |
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The test will be held in the Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Civil Service Commission Offices, Monday through Friday.
The test will also be held approximately 10 days a month at additional test centers located in Allentown, Erie, Johnstown, Lock Haven, and Scranton. For further details on test dates, contact the Commission’s Information Services Unit; Telephone (Voice) (717) 787-7811, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard of Hearing callers only) (717) 783-8896.
If you take the test and want to take it again, you may be retested after 6 months from the date of your test. You must submit a new application to be retested.
If your name is on an eligible list for this job and you take this test, your most recent examination result will be the only one counted.
TEST RESULTS
Employment and promotion lists will be established. You will be notified in writing of your test results.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online at www.scsc.state.pa.us or submit your completed paper application to:
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State Civil Service Commission ATTN: Applications P.O. Box 569 Harrisburg, PA 17108-0569 |
Applications and further information can be obtained from:
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1. |
State Civil Service Commission: |
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Harrisburg: 2nd Level, Strawberry Sq. Complex, 320 Market St., P.O. |
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Box 569, Hbg., 17108-0569; Telephone (Voice) (717) 783-3058, Text |
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Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers only) (717) 772-2685 |
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Philadelphia: 110 North 8th St., Suite 503, Phila., 19107; Telephone |
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(Voice) (215) 560-2253, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing |
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callers only) (215) 560-4367 |
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Pittsburgh: 411 Seventh Ave., Room 410, Pgh., 15219; Telephone |
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(Voice) (412) 565-7666, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing |
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callers only) (412) 565-2484 |
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Internet: www.scsc.state.pa.us |
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2. |
PA CareerLink offices |
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3. |
The Human Resources office listed under the "JOB OPPORTUNITIES" section of this announcement |
For further information on testing, assistance for persons with disabilities, veterans' preference and other items, refer to the instructions provided with the "Application for Employment/Promotion."