Job Posting: Assistant Director, Retirement Readiness

State Teachers' Retirement System

JC-353460
-
Assistant Director, Retirement Readiness
C. E. A.

$11,102.00 - $13,226.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 4/2/2023

Job Description and Duties

A resume and statement of qualifications is required.

The California State Teachers’ Retirement System Retirement Readiness Division is seeking to fill its Assistant Director of Retirement Readiness position.

 

The Retirement Readiness (RR) Division is the principal area of the organization that develops, delivers, and coordinates educational services to CalSTRS members. The goal of RR is to ensure that all members receive adequate, timely, and accurate information to make sound decisions regarding their CalSTRS benefits.

As a part of CalSTRS senior leadership, the Assistant Director of Retirement Readiness is responsible for policy formulation, implementation, leadership, and administration of defined contribution programs, member education programs, field planning operations, member and employer outreach activities, and statewide stakeholder engagement. This opportunity has a direct impact on securing the financial future of California’s public K-12 and community college educators.

 

Relocation benefits may be available.


Telework Information: We offer a hybrid approach including in-office and remote work solutions within office days 2-3 days per week.

 

To apply for this opportunity, please carefully read the Application Instructions and Desirable Qualifications below.


You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

    Additional Documents

    Position Details

    Job Code #:
    JC-353460
    Position #(s):
    815-860-7500-002
    Working Title:
    Assistant Director, Retirement Readiness
    Classification:
    C. E. A.
    $11,102.00 - $13,226.00 B
    # of Positions:
    1
    Work Location:
    Yolo County
    Job Type:
    Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

    Department Information

    The California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) is the largest educator-only pension fund in the world. CalSTRS proudly provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits to California’s 964,000 public school educators and their families.

    We encourage you to join our world-class financial services institution and state agency. Our headquarters and member service centers located across the state feature sustainable construction, plenty of natural lighting and functionally-designed work spaces. At our LEED Platinum headquarters in West Sacramento, enjoy the full service cafe, free onsite fitness center, bicycle library and walks along the Sacramento River. In addition to state-of-the-art amenities, we offer thriving wellness and sustainability programs, an award-winning employee recognition program, and ongoing learning and development opportunities.

    Learn more about CalSTRS at culture on LinkedIn

    Department Website: http://www.calstrs.com/careers

    Special Requirements

    Background Investigation

    Prior to employment with CalSTRS, a background investigation (BI) will be conducted. The BI consists of a Personal History Statement and fingerprinting through the Department of Justice. The BI will check criminal and civil records and, if applicable, verify education, credit and check driving records.

    The position may be subject to the disclosure and disqualification requirements concerning economic conflict of interest in government work, pursuant to the CalSTRS Conflict of Interest Code and the Political Reform Act. 

    Application Instructions

    Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

    Final Filing Date: 4/2/2023

    Who May Apply

    Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

    How To Apply

    Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

    Address for Mailing Application Packages

    You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

    State Teachers' Retirement System
    Attn: Recruitment
    P.O. Box 15275, MS 31
    Sacramento, CA 95851-0275

    Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

    You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

    State Teachers' Retirement System
    Recruitment
    100 Waterfront Place
    West Sacramento, CA 95605
    08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

    Required Application Package Documents

    The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

    • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
    • Resume is required and must be included.
    • Statement of Qualifications - A statement of qualifications is required and must be submitted. 
    Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

    Examination Qualification Requirements

    All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

    Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

    General Qualifications

    State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

    Knowledge and Abilities

    Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

    • Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
    • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

    These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

    CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

    CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

    CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

    Desirable Qualifications

    In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

    • Working knowledge of provisions and application of retirement laws
    • Experience and proven success in managing leaders in a high-performing culture
    • Extensive knowledge of defined contributions, defined benefit, defined benefit supplement and/ or cash balance benefit programs
    • Strong leadership and management experience, demonstrating an ability to have strategic vision while anticipating and mitigating risks
    • Demonstrated extensive experience in contract management
    • Posses excellent written and verbal communication and analytical and decision-making skills
    • Deep understanding of the workings, structure, and culture of an organization, as well as the political, social, and economic issues affecting the organization, and can speak to these issues
    • Broad and extensive experience formulating and implementing policies, procedures, processes, and programs to ensure improved productivity, decision-making and enterprise effectiveness

    Examination Information

    The examination process will consist of an evaluation of the candidate’s application, resume and Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) by a designated screening committee. The screening committee will use predetermined evaluation criteria derived from the knowledge, skills and abilities, and desirable qualifications listed on this announcement. Candidates should ensure they are thorough when describing their experience relative to the areas described. 

    The SOQ may also serve as documentation of the candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing, since this is a critical factor to successful job performance. The SOQ may be the only basis for the candidate’s final score and rank on the eligible list. Candidates will be ranked competitively, and each candidate will be notified in writing of their examination results.

    If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

    A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

    The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

    Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

    The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

    Special Testing Arrangements

    If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

    Benefits

    Learn about all of the benefits of being a CalSTRS employee by visiting CalSTRS.com/Careers and clicking on the About Us tab.

    Contact Information

    The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

    Department Website: http://www.calstrs.com/careers
    Human Resources Contact:
    Recruitment
    (916) 414-4990
    recruitment@calstrs.com

    Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

    EEO Contact:
    EEO Officer
    (916) 414-4933
    EEOMailbox@calstrs.com
    California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

    Statement of Qualifications

    In addition to the required documentation, a Statement of Qualification (SOQ) must be submitted with your application. The SOQ must specifically address your education and experience as it relates to each item below. The SOQ must not exceed five pages, single-sided and double-spaced with 12 point arial font. Failure to follow this format and the "Application Instructions" above may result in disqualification.

    The SOQ serves as the examination for this position. Please make sure your answers are as detailed as possible, including relevant examples and dates of employment.

    1.   Experience at the senior leadership level managing programs with oversight of varied allocated resources and associated budget. This experience includes substantial participation in strategic and business plan formulation and execution, operation and evaluation of program success. Responses should reflect the candidate’s ability to oversee critical functions and include specific leadership role, number of direct and indirect reports, and the candidate’s role in the budget process.

    2.   Experience at the senior leadership level developing and implementing policy and program direction related to defined benefit or defined contribution programs or other similar financial related programs. This experience should include the continual assessment of managed programs and operations to measure program effectiveness and implementation of risk mitigation strategies.

    3.   Strong leadership and management skills in overseeing a statewide service delivery program for a pension system or similar organization. Desired experience should reflect the candidate’s ability to lead senior leaders in establishing goals and expectations, motivating a team, working collaboratively encouraging initiative and facilitating independent staff work, and demonstrating ability to successfully resolve issues.

    4.   Experience as a senior leader in presenting complex or technical information to a wide range of audiences including various stakeholders and a Board or similar decision-making body. This experience should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to provide concise recommendations or information to a board of directors or executive leadership team to support business decisions that align with the strategic goals of an organization. 

    ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

    • Electronic applications through your CalCareer account are highly recommended. If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail or drop off a hard copy of your application packet. Please provide the following information on your application: RPA: 5088, Position: 815-860-7500-002 and Job Control: 353460.
    • Candidate may be selected by application packet review only.
    • Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.

    Equal Opportunity Employer

    The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

    It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

    Application Methods:
    Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
    By Mail
    Drop-off
    Print Job