Planner, Investments & Retirement Services

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), with offices in Arlington, VA and Lincoln, NE is the trade association for over 900 consumer-owned electric cooperatives serving more than 42 million people. NRECA is committed to harnessing the strength of America’s electric cooperatives into a single powerful voice. NRECA has won the following awards over the past few years:  

• Top Workplace by the Washington Post
• 100 Best Places to Work - ComputerWorld Magazine
• 50 Best Places to Work - The Washingtonian
• CARE Award Recipient - Recognizing organizations that promote a positive work-life balance
• Best Place to Work Award Recipient - Lincoln, NE
• Gold Well Workplace - Wellness Councils of America
• State of NE Governor's Wellness Award - Grower Level.

At NRECA, we work with people who are leaders in their fields. They are down-to-earth, hardworking professionals committed to helping our members serve their communities. Our work is interesting, constantly evolving, and requires new skills to meet the evolving needs of a dynamic industry. In this collegial, inclusive work environment, united around the compelling purpose and history of electric cooperatives, we thrive. And topping it off, NRECA cares about each person’s overall well-being, encouraging health, financial security, and a sustainable work/life balance.

Position Summary:

Personal Investment and Retirement Consulting (PIRC) provides services in the areas of: retirement planning, education planning, investment strategies, review of investment options, quantifying goals, developing customized asset allocations, assessing tolerance for risk, individual retirement account funding/withdrawal/rollover options, retirement plan distribution options/strategies, written retirement plans/review, Social Security, Medicare, and general tax, estate and insurance issues.

Responsible for providing confidential, personalized verbal and written investment and retirement education to plan participants (active and retired/separated). Conducting standard versions of NRECA-sponsored PIRC presentations. Promoting financial services to members and participants and identifying NRECA as a primary financial resource for members. Facilitating connection with and referral to PIRC services to build long-term financial and retirement planning relationship with NRECA. Gathering and sharing competitive intelligence concerning competitive 401(k) plan administrator service provider and investment offerings.

Some individuals in this position will be based at the Arlington, Va. headquarters (HQ), requiring travel up to 60% of the time. Other individuals in this position will be based in the field in an assigned territory requiring travel up to 90% of the time. Assigned territory/territories may rotate or shift over time.

In addition, Planners assigned to a field territory shall participate as the local PIRC presence in employer- and board-level discussions and presentations to relate PIRC services available to fulfill co-op needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Performs all responsibilities in a manner consistent with exceptional customer service in accordance with the mission statement: “To provide high quality, objective investment and retirement education to NRECA member employees, recommending NRECA-sponsored investment products when appropriate to the individual’s personal circumstance.”
• Provides confidential, personalized verbal and written investment and retirement education and financial planning consulting to plan participants (active and retired/separated).
• Conducts standardized NRECA-sponsored PIRC presentations for employees and executives of member organizations. Presents and leads the formal program, answers attendee inquiries and Provides onsite coordination with local benefit administrators, field staff, meeting facility personnel and outside speakers.
• Responds to requests generated through other planners, seminars and member contact services (toll-free # and general email box).
• Assesses the need for and refers appropriate participants to PIRC services for written retirement plans. May review said plans with participants upon completion.
• Assesses the need for and creates individualized written asset allocation plans for participants.
• Gathers and shares competitive intelligence concerning 401(k) plan administrator service providers and investment offerings. Participates in employer- and board-level discussions and presentations regarding services available through NRECA to fulfill co-op needs, mitigating the perceived value of regional competitors.
• Executes ongoing relationship management strategy to maintain a high level of engagement and satisfaction and assist in the retention/conversion of pension assets. This strategy includes documenting conversations with participants and using tools and procedures to ensure proper follow-up and service.
• Maintains an extensive knowledge base on a broad range of financial planning and pension topics, including: the latest legal and business developments in the areas of retirement/investment planning, education funding, personal portfolio management, securities, life insurance/annuities, tax laws and estate planning issues; as well as Social Security and Medicare.
• Builds comprehensive knowledge of NRECA’s policies and procedures and detailed knowledge of NRECA’s pension, health and welfare plans and how they affect and interact with a participant’s financial situation.
• Responsible for the proper security and disposal of any confidential information that he or she may possess in the course of performing this position’s job duties, in accordance with NRECA’s Personnel & Administrative Policy and HIPAA Privacy and Security Policies & Procedures Manuals.

Direct Reports to this Position:
None

Qualifications

Formal Education Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in the arts, sciences or business required or 4 years’ experience working in relationship management, sales, trusts & estates, and or investment advisory services within the financial services industry; Master's degree preferred.

• Must possess a professional designation such as CFP®, CEBS®, ChFC®, CLU, CRPC®, or RICP® or if previously maintained Series 6, 7, 63, 65 or 66 license, must obtain a professional designation such as CFP®, CEBS®, ChFC®, CLU, CRPC®, or RICP® within two years.

Experience and Certifications Required:
Minimum of 5 years of experience in business, finance, accounting, securities, insurance or pension plans consulting individuals on financial planning issues.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required (as demonstrated by prior work experience):
• Knowledge with regard to: defined benefit and defined contribution plans and how they affect and interact with an employee’s financial situation; the latest legal and business developments in the areas of retirement/investment planning, education funding, personal portfolio management, securities, life insurance/annuities, tax laws and estate-planning issues; Social Security and Medicare.
• Ability to relate to each individual based on that individual’s levels of investment and financial sophistication.
• Ability to define issues, establish facts and draw valid conclusions and apply to work environment.
• Ability to listen and interpret the customer’s needs, de-escalate difficult customer calls, while at the same time researching the issue and applying broad business and technical knowledge to meet the customer’s satisfaction.
• Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse membership, employees and/or vendors in a clear and precise manner.
• Ability to deliver presentations.
• Ability to organize and manage time, multi-task, operate under pressure and prioritize projects (or work) using effective organizational skills.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of people to foster cooperation in sharing information and materials.
• Ability to function with confidence in one-on-one and group settings, discussions with cooperative management, including the CEO and other senior managers and with cooperative board members.
• Ability to develop and review written investment and retirement plans and presentations with a superior level of technical accuracy.
• Ability to travel throughout the country 60%+ of work time. Valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required.
• Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse membership, employees and/or vendors in a clear and precise manner.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point) in the day-to-day essential duties of the job.
• Ability to operate various office equipment such as personal computer, copier, printer, fax machine, 10-key adding machine, and multiple line telephone.
• Ability to provide service excellence by building relationships, being resourceful, responsive and respectful.
 

ADA Requirements:
• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
 

Additional Requirement:

• This position requires full COVID-19 vaccination

The preceding job description has been written to reflect management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

NRECA is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please e-mail humanresources@nreca.coop or call: 703-907-5992 - NRECA Arlington Human Resources. Please call 402-483-9275 - NRECA Lincoln Human Resources, for Lincoln, NE employment opportunities. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

EEO is the Law. The law requires NRECA to post a notice describing the Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination. For information regarding your legal rights and protections, please click on the following link: EEO is the Law and EEO is the Law Supplement.

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination. NRECA will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay. Please see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision for more information.

E-Verify. As a Federal Contractor, NRECA is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. For information please click on the following link: E-Verify.