CalSTRS Benefits Specialist

Job Description and Duties

The CalSTRS Retirement Readiness Division is seeking a motivated individual to work as an Analyst II at the Irvine Member Service Center .

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

Consider joining us in our Irvine Member Service Center located near the John Wayne Airport and many first-class restaurants. Our building is surrounded by beautiful landscaping that includes sculptured seating, fountains, waterfalls and reflective pools. Enjoy secure parking and convenient access to the I-405 freeway with connections to the 55 and 73 freeways. As a part of the CalSTRS team, you will experience an award-winning recognition program and ongoing learning and career development opportunities.

Under the direction of the Member Service Center Manager, Supervisor II, the CalSTRS Benefits Specialist independently performs a wide variety of the more complex and difficult tasks associated with providing retirement benefits planning. The incumbent must exercise a high degree of discretion, diplomacy, confidentiality and initiative while taking independent action to resolve issues as they arise. This position is in Irvine and requires up to 35% travel.

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Ability to travel and stay overnight for various training and meetings
• Basic mathematic comprehension and experience with calculations, such as averages, decimals, formulas and percentages
• Experience delivering information to audiences of various sizes
• Experience providing customer service in a variety of ways
• Ability to work various hours at times to support member services
• Experience researching, analyzing, interpreting laws and policies
• Experience working with confidential information
• Experience providing feedback and explaining complex information

Every 12 months, based on performance evaluation, employees may receive a 5% salary increase until they reach the maximum salary for the position.

Please note that this is a limited-term position with the possibility of being extended up to 24 months or becoming permanent.

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025. This program reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits for the duration of the program. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the reduced amounts.

Does this opportunity seem right for you? If so, see the Application Instructions section below and apply now.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

CalSTRS offers a hybrid approach including in-office and remote work solutions based on business needs.

All staff of CalSTRS are employees of the State of California and subject to California employment taxes and withholdings. Upon appointment, staff are required to provide a current California address to CalSTRS Human Resources to be used as a remote work location.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment with CalSTRS.

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications

Interested individuals must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in addition to the standard state application (form STD 678). Your SOQ will be considered the first interview for this position. If your qualifications are competitive, you will be invited to an interview. When completing the SOQ, please include all relevant experience, education, and training, as applicable, and explain all answers thoroughly. Your SOQ should not exceed two pages, single-spaced, 12-point font, and address the following questions:

1. Describe any training and/or work experience you have that has prepared you for the day-to-day responsibilities of this position as outlined in the duty statement.
2. Describe an instance where you played a key role in supporting a high performing team. How did you contribute to the team’s success, and what steps did you take to foster collaboration across different units or departments?
3. Describe your approach to assisting an upset customer who is having a hard time articulating what they need. What techniques would you use? How would you handle escalation?

Exam

This position requires a current Analyst II examination. If you need to take the examination or if your score has expired, click here to gain list eligibility.

CalSTRS Personal Trading Program

Investment Branch employees are required to participate in the CalSTRS Personal Trading Program which allows CalSTRS to monitor employees’ personal trading transactions in order to reduce risks associated with insider trading, front running, and misusing material non-public information. Upon accepting a position within the Investment Branch, you will be required to disclose your personal broker account information and be required to utilize a personal broker from a designated list as provided by CalSTRS.

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 and check driving records.

CalSTRS Disclosure Requirements

This position may be subject to disclosure and disqualification requirements concerning economic conflict of interest in government work, including the Conflict of Interest Code that applies to CalSTRS team members and the Political Reform Act , which require disclosure of certain investment information and use of a designated trading platform for securities transactions, as well as filing a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700) .

Incompatible Activities

This position is subject to the provisions of Government Code Section 19990 . Upon accepting a position at CalSTRS, you will also be required to comply with the CalSTRS Incompatible Activities Policy by ensuring that outside work or activities are compatible and align with your professional activities or workplace obligations.

Benefits

CalSTRS offers a competitive pay schedule and a work-life-balance for all its employees. The State of California provides comprehensive benefits packages determined by the employee’s bargaining unit and conditions of employment. Some benefits include:

• Alternative work schedules
• Flexible work hours
• Remote work options
• Medical benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance
• Paid holidays and a defined benefit retirement program
• More than four weeks of vacation/sick leave for leaders
• More than three weeks of vacation/sick leave for staff
• Health insurance in retirement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Loan forgiveness under the federal

For the latest information on the benefits offered by the state of California, explore the Health Benefits Summary provided by CalHR .

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: 815-866-5393-901, RPA 1056, JC-525512.
• If education is being used to meet the minimum qualifications, please submit a copy of your transcripts/degree.
• Training and Development (T&D) assignments may be considered for this position. If you are applying as a T&D, please indicate this in the eligibility section of your application.
  
• Candidate may be selected by application packet review only.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.
• Submission of an incomplete STD 678 may result in disqualification.

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 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. Please see the Special Requirements section of the job posting for detailed instructions.