Careers

Job Description

 TESRS - Retirement System Benefits Specialist II (00051598) 

Organization: TEXAS EMERGENCY SERVICES RETIREMENT SYSTEM 

Primary Location: Texas-Austin 

Work Locations: TESRS State Office North Lamar Blvd. Building

4800 N. Lamar Blvd., RM 320, Austin, Texas 78756

 Job: Business and Financial Operations 

Employee Status: Regular 

Schedule: Full-time 

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00 

Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time 

State Job Code: 2913  

Salary Admin Plan: B 

Grade: 16  

Salary (Pay Basis): 3,409.83 - 3,409.83 (Monthly) 

Number of Openings: 1 

Overtime Status: Non-exempt 

Job Posting: Jul 31, 2025, 1:27:01 PM 

Closing Date: Aug 11, 2025, 11:59:00 PM 

 

Description

 

Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESRS)

Benefits Specialist II

 

State Classification: Benefit Specialist II (Class Code 2913) B16

Functional Title: Benefit Specialist

 

ABOUT TESRS’S OFFICE

The Texas Emergency Services Retirement System is a pension system for volunteer firefighters and first responders in Texas.

Click here to see an inside look at the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System office!

 

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS

North Lamar Boulevard Building

4800 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 320

Austin, Texas 78756

 

TESRS OFFERS:

·         Flexible work schedule;

·         Work-life balance;

·         Up to 96 hours of accrued vacation per year;

·         96 hours of accrued sick leave per year;

·         12 holidays + other optional holidays per year;

·         Paid comprehensive medical insurance for full-time employees; State of Texas pays 50% of the premium costs for dependents.

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Benefit Specialist is responsible for performing entry-level retirement system administrative work for participating departments and members of the pension system. Tasks include working with department members and chiefs to enroll members in the system, determining benefits eligibility, processing applications for benefits, and assisting departments with inquiries about retirement and system benefits.  Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

 

This position is responsible for the following primary duties:

·         Provides customer support, over the telephone and via email;

·         Counsels members on retirement or benefits programs, options, procedures, and eligibility;

·         Processes and distributes US mail and other incoming correspondence;

·         Processes service or disability retirement applications and death claims for beneficiaries;

·         Prepares correspondence relating to retirement or benefits programs;

·         Reconciles member benefits accounts and resolves discrepancies;

·         Researches and verifies records to determine eligibility for benefits, calculates benefits purchasing costs, and audits forms and reports;

·         May prepare annuity payrolls and schedule updates;

·         Assists Chief Financial Officer resolve billing issues;

·         Works with representatives of the department regarding participation requirements

·         Archives paper and electronic documents;

·         Assists in processing and entry of departmental annual reports of member qualified service and other reports;

·         Provides customer assistance to approved on-line users of the TESRS database; and

·         Performs related work as assigned.

 

WORK HOURS

Eight-hour work schedule between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 40-hour week, Monday – Friday with occasional work schedule variance when necessary. Hours may change based on business need.

 

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION 

New employees will be evaluated after six months of employment. The next time new employees will be evaluated is after their first 12 months of employment with that evaluation covering the entire 12-month period.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

·         Graduated from High School or GED.

·         Two (2) years of experience in customer service, preferably in benefits administration.

·         Two (2) years of experience in public pension, retirement or financial services administration.

·         Two (2) years of experience in administrative support.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

·         Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business administration, insurance, or a related field is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 

Knowledge of:

·         General office procedures;

·         Administrative procedures and systems such as word processing systems, e-filing and records management systems, including and other office procedures and terminology;

·         Principles of good customer service.

 

Ability to:

·         Use sound decision-making and judgment skills and appropriately apply and interpret existing law, rules, policies and procedures;

·         Work well independently, and as a member of a team;

·         Communicate clearly;

·         Prioritize and manage multiple tasks;

·         Problem solve;

·         Work under minimal supervision and exercise initiative;

·         Current in- office and work-from-home scheduling includes the ability to work in the office or telecommute from an appropriate workspace in your home.

 

Skill in:

·         Microsoft Office Word (formatting, headers/footers, mail merges and tables)

·         Microsoft Office Excel (formulas, tables, pivot tables)

·         Microsoft Office Outlook (manage multiple inboxes, archive documents, rule setting)

·         Adobe Acrobat PDF (create and edit PDFs)

·         DocuSign or other form of electronic signature software preferred;

·         Problem solving/troubleshooting and researching information;

·         Using office equipment such as personal computers, printers, facsimile, scanner and multi-line telephone system; and

·         Patience and Courtesy.

 

MILITARY’S PREFERENCE:

 

To receive veteran's preference a copy of your DD214 (Member 4) is required.

 

Veterans, Reservist or Guardsmen with an MOS or additional duties that fall within the essential duties of the job position or other related fields pertaining to the minimum experience requirements may meet the minimum qualifications. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if they meet the qualifications for this position.

 

If selected for the position the following must be provided for proof of military’ preference:

·         Veteran must provide form DD 214

·         Surviving Spouse or Orphan must provide DD 1300 or DD 214.  

 

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes that may correspond to the state classification title for this position are listed on the State Auditor’s Office Job Descriptions; click on the occupational category for the position. Additional MOS can be found at the State Auditor’s Office Military Crosswalk Guide. The Texas Veterans Commission provides helpful employment information Go to: http://www.texasskillstowork.com, http://www.onetonline.org, https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/ or www.careeronestop.org for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements and skill sets.

 

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS:

 

Work in Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions be considered for the posting. To complete the supplemental questions please go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile.

 

PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment (month/year) and hours worked per week, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application will be considered incomplete. Applications with “See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification; you may state ‘unknown’ for any incomplete fields.

 

The TESRS Office is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity.