Retirement Specialist 3 - Death & Disability

Posting number: 2026-06644

Department: Dept. of Retirement Systems

Division: Member Operations Division

Job classification: RETIREMENT SPECIALIST 3

Posting type: Promotional

Categories: Customer Service

Summary

This recruitment is open to permanent DRS team members only. 
Please do not apply if you are not a current DRS team member with permanent status.
  
Please be sure to submit your application by 8:00 am on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, to be considered.
In-person interviews in Tumwater will be scheduled between August 25 and August 28.
The start date for this role will be October 1, 2026

Examples of duties

We are seeking to fill one (1) Retirement Specialist 3 permanent position in Death & Disability.  
   
As a Retirement Specialist 3 in the Death and Disability unit, you will serve as team lead to a group of Retirement Specialists. You will mentor and coach to ensure your team is supporting members and employers in a timely and informed manner. You will be a resource for members, employers, and team members regarding the retirement systems and plans administered by DRS and a content expert advising on questions and issues related to death and disability accounts.
 
Some of what you’ll do includes: 

• Monitoring work queues, developing schedules and strategies to manage workflow, and assigning work to team members including a daily task focus.
• Observing team performance and providing feedback to the team leader for use in performance evaluations.
• Performing in-depth research and analysis in preparing summaries and recommendations on issues of administrative policy and procedure.
• Working directly with Disability Applications for consultation, estimates and Disability reviews.
• Reviewing disability applications, supporting disability documentation, and making an initial disability recommendation.  
• Calculating retirement benefit estimates for members based on requirements of Disability Retirements and Death benefits written in Statutes.
• Working on annual processes like COLA processing, Adjusted Minimum Benefit processing, and medical reimbursements.
• Calculating medical premium reimbursement payments to survivors of members who passed in the line of duty.
• Developing new processes to overcome challenges on complex accounts.

Telework Information: Consistent with our telework expectations, Retirement Specialist 3 are expected to work in-office in Tumwater three (3) days per week.

Qualifications

The Qualifications for these positions include:

• Two (2) years of experience as a Retirement Specialist at the Department of Retirement Systems. 
  • Time in RS training program counts towards the two-year requirement
  • Team members who will meet the two-year requirement by October 1, 2026, will be considered and are encouraged to apply;
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel (version 2016 or newer); 
• Demonstrated ability to use multiple computer applications simultaneously; and
• Demonstrated proficiency in the following competency areas:

Customer Focus - Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of customers.  Delivers high quality services and products. Establishes and maintains effective customer relationships. Committed to continuous improvement and always acts with the customer in mind.

Leading Others - Provides for and fosters a work environment that emphasizes the coaching, development, motivation, recognition, and accountability of others.  Sets clear goals and expectations, delegates work appropriately and values and uses feedback; demonstrates the courage to address performance problems and issues promptly.  Treats team members equitably.  Is seen as inquisitive and curious about t