Working Title: State Social Security Program Administrator
Job Class: State Program Administrator Coordinator
Agency: Public Employees Retire Assoc
Job ID: 89738
Location: St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted: 10/21/2025
Closing Date: 11/12/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Public Employees Retire Assoc / Pub Employ Retire Assoc-MAPE
Division/Unit: Account Information Management
Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
Days of Work: Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $37.25 - $55.42 / hourly; $77,799 - $115,717 / annually
Classified Status: Classified
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
The Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) administers and promotes sustainable retirement plans and provides services that our members value.
PERA is the largest public pension plan in the State of Minnesota, serving current and former public employees from 2,100 governmental agencies. We pay monthly benefits to over 140,000 retirees, members who are disabled, and survivors of deceased members. Our 200,000 active members work in our parks, cities, counties, and schools across the state. The services they provide and the work they do make our communities better.
Why Join PERA?
Enjoy a hybrid work schedule and free parking at our St. Paul office.
Contribute to the retirement security of Minnesota's public employees.
Work with a dedicated team in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
Excellent state benefits, professional development opportunities, and meaningful public service work.
About the Opportunity :
The State Social Security Program Administrator plays a vital role in ensuring that Minnesota's public employees receive the Social Security and Medicare coverage they've earned. Acting as the State's liaison with the the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), this position helps public employers understand and meet their responsibilities under federal and state law.
This is a unique opportunity to serve the public by combining policy interpretation, program administration, and education - helping cities, counties, and schools across Minnesota remain compliant while protecting the retirement security of their employees.
This position performs the day-to-day official duties of Minnesota's State Social Security Administrator (SSSA) on behalf of PERA's Executive Director, who is the State of Minnesota SSSA of record. The SSSA is responsible for administering the State's agreements (Section 218 of the Social Security Act) for voluntary Social Security and/or Medicare coverage for all public employees of Minnesota state government, local government, and public or charter schools.
Job Responsibilities:
Serve as the State's expert on Social Security coverage for public employers, advising on compliance with Section 218 agreements and related laws.
Research and interpret complex state and federal regulations; develop clear policies, guidance materials, and training resources.
Represent Minnesota in communications with the SSA and IRS to resolve coverage and compliance issues.
Lead outreach and education efforts for public employers to ensure accurate Social Security and Medicare withholding.
Coordinate audits, investigations, and compliance reviews, collaborating with state and federal partners to ensure consistency and fairness.
Develop and maintain program procedures and systems to support efficient administration and accurate recordkeeping.
This position is telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) eligible and offers a hybrid work schedule which may include telework up to 50% of the scheduled workdays each month, based on agency and department needs and other dependencies. Scheduled in-office work days are at PERA's office building in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Candidates located outside the state of Minnesota and more than 50 miles from PERA's St. Paul office are not eligible to telework and would be required to report to the office full-time.
Minimum Qualifications
*Only applicants whose application and resume clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each minimum qualification listed below will be considered for this position. Ensure your resume contains descriptions of your work experience sufficient for comparison against the requirements stated below. Also indicate the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
This position requires a minimum of four (4) years of professional level experience providing program administration, compliance, or policy development within a governmental, legal, or retirement system environment that includes interpreting and applying state or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
*A bachelor's degree or higher in public administration, public policy, political science, organizational leadership, communications, legal studies, or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
Experience must include the following:
Experience conducting research and analysis of complex legal, policy, or compliance issues and developing recommendations or guidance based findings.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively in writing and verbally to diverse audiences, including agency staff, public employers, and federal representatives.
Experience coordinating or leading projects or programs that required collaboration across multiple organizations or levels of government.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate multiple options and make sound, independent decisions.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office application (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) or equivalent software to create correspondence, reports, and presentations.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or higher in public administration, public policy, political science, organizational leadership, communications, legal studies, or a closely related field.
Professional level experience working with or administering Social Secruity Section 218 Agreements, public pension programs, or other federal/state benefit or compliance programs.
Knowledge of Minnesota public pension statutes (Chapters 353 and 356) and related state and federal laws affecting public employer reporting and compliance.
Experience providing training, education, or outreach to external stakeholders on complex legal or policy topics.
Experience developing or maintaining policies, procedures, or compliance standards for a statewide or multi-agency program.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with federal, state, or local government officials to resolve compliance or administrative issues.
Physical Requirements
Requires occasional lifting and carrying of articles such as file folders, ledgers, and small office equipment. Although a sedentary job is defined as one that involves sitting, a certain amount of movement is often necessary in carrying out job duties.
Additional Requirements
It is the policy of the Retirement Systems of MN that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:
SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and past State employees only)
Criminal History Check
Employment Reference Check
Social Security and Address Verification
Education Verification
Driver's License Check
**The Retirement Systems will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
