Job Description

Initial Posting Date:

05/29/2026

Application Deadline:

06/06/2026

Agency:

Public Employees Retirement System

Salary Range:

$4,312 - $6,581

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Disability Eligibility Specialist (Retirement Counselor 2)

Apply today to be a Disability Eligibility Specialist (Retirement Counselor 2) in PERS Tigard headquarters. This is an excellent opportunity to apply your logical deductive analysis and problem solving skills, medical knowledge, and strong organizational aptitude in this exciting position!

The Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) is recruiting for a Disability Eligibility Specialist (Retirement Counselor 2)!

• This is a full-time, Permanent position
• This position is based at our headquarters office in Tigard, Oregon, however, this is a 100% remote work position.
• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified applicants to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
• This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

We serve the people of Oregon by administering public employee benefit trusts to pay the right person, the right benefit, at the right time.

Operations Division

The PERS Operations Division provides services to PERS members along the entire life cycle of their public service career: from their first job with a PERS-participating employer until their retirement. The division helps ensure that PERS fulfills its mission to provide the right person the right benefit at the right time. The Operations Division supports four benefit programs for members of the three PERS plans (Tier One, Tier Two, and the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP)):
1. The lifetime pension.
2. The Individual Account Program (IAP)
3. The Oregon Savings Growth Plan (OSGP)
4. The PERS Health Insurance Program (PHIP)

The Specialty Qualifications section is responsible for determining eligibility for death and disability benefits and managing the administration of divorce court orders.

Ensure compliance with the criteria established in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) and Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) for members applying for or receiving disability benefits. This position initiates and facilitates the disability review process. Make decisions regarding required documents needed for a thorough disability eligibility review and communicate these requirements to the appropriate party via phone and written correspondence.

Disability Eligibility Specialist (Retirement Counselor 2)

As a Disability Eligibility Specialist (Retirement Counselor 2), you will determine retirement eligibility and benefits, specifically disability eligibility; provide information to members, beneficiaries, alternate payees, and employers on rights and benefits. Analyze complex medical documentation to determine and recommend disability eligibility. Work closely with internal Medical Advisor and external Medical Staff. Recommend continuation or discontinuation of disability benefits based on medical documentation and employment review. Create individualized complex letters detailing review of a disability claim; quoting proper ORS and OAR that supports determination. Effectively communicate by phone to members, detailing complex and sensitive information.

Benefits of Working for the State of Oregon & the Public Employees Retirement System

We strive to create an environment that is supportive and encourages work-life balance.

Additional benefits include:

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a competitive benefits package
• Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.
• Remote work option depending on position needs.

Minimum Requirements (Retirement Counselor 2)

Two years of experience researching or reconciling accounts AND explaining rules, programs or procedures.

OR

One year of experience researching or reconciling accounts AND explaining rules, programs, or procedures AND 12 quarter (8 semester) college level credit hours in accounting, finance or business administration.

OR

Two years of calculating payment amounts AND explaining rules, programs, or procedures.

OR

One year of calculating payment amounts AND explaining rules, programs, or procedures AND 12 quarter (8 semester) college level credit hours in accounting, finance or business administration.

Candidates who are the most competitive will possess the following skills, background and areas of experience:

• Familiarity with medical terminology, medical chart notes and/or medical insurance claims.
• Demonstrate logical deductive analysis by providing well thought out documentation and reasoning when making decisions.
• Utilize problem-solving abilities to analyze and accurately evaluate data, identify discrepancies and determine possible solutions and determinations based on regulatory criteria to support outcomes.
• Ability to communicate both orally and complex program processes and concepts in a simplified manner to customers and public.
• Manage and track multiple complex caseloads from initial application through final determination
• Exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential member situations.
• -Experience in communicating sensitive subject matter to members that may be angry or frustrated.
• Demonstrate logical deductive analysis by providing well thought out documentation and reasoning when making decisions.

Application instructions & requirements

Current State of Oregon Employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.

External Applicants – Apply via the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage

• Fill out the application or submit a resume Your submitted experience fields or attached resume should include the beginning and end dates (mm/yyyy) for each employer.
• Complete questionnaire Answer the checkbox-style questions before submitting your application.
• After you submit your application, please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are an employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.
• If you are a veteran, you may receive preference. The task to upload your documents will come before the public records request and gender identity questionnaire tasks.

Additional Details:

• Finalists will be subject to a criminal history check. Criminal records are compared against the needs of the position and if found to conflict then may lead to disqualification.
• Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources, or call Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666. NOTE: If claiming veterans’ preference please be sure to check your Workday account for pending tasks or actions under your “My Applications” section.
• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | What You Need to Know to Get the Job

HELPFUL LINKS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Learn more about PERS

Learn more about Oregon

For additional information you may contact the recruiter by e-mail at recruitment@pers.oregon.gov or by phone at 503-603-7500.

Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference... for a lifetime!

PERS is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer
Committed to Workforce Diversity