Policy and Research Intern

$19.50/hr - $21.00/hr

Location:

1000 Red River

Austin, Texas, 78701

United States

Pension Policy and Research Intern

Requisition ID: req1003 Employment Type: Unclassified Temporary Full-Time (UFP)

Division: Executive Compensation: $19.50 - 21.00, Hourly Wage

Location: TRS Job Closing: March 12th at 5:00 pm, CST

Who We Are

Service, Respect, and Connection are core to the individual and collective TRS experience. We know that great service rests on a foundation of relationships that connect us all to an empowering and rewarding career. At TRS, we’re inspired by our diverse community who bring authenticity and commitment to our mission to improve the retirement security of public education employees and retirees throughout Texas.

As a group of achievers, we tap collaboration and innovation to raise the bar in performance, administering and counseling pensions and healthcare benefits to ensure certainty for the future of our members. We invite you to join us, where both personal and career growth are respected and where you can make a difference in our members’ lives every day.

The Pension Policy and Research Intern performs entry-level project work related to agency operations and communication. The incumbent will work alongside staff within the executive division with a primary focus on gaining practical work experience and business aptitude with work including assisting with development of executive dashboards, researching and writing legislative reports, and responding to surveys. The position will proactively work with the staff from Pension Policy and Research, Strategic Initiatives, Communications, Benefits, fellow interns and other agency employees.

Internship: This position is a paid, full-time, limited term assignment that offers interns the opportunity to gain substantive hands on experience. Interns enjoy the opportunity to get training and mentoring from experienced professionals in one or more areas. Interns may also be eligible to continue working part-time through the fall and spring semesters, depending on department and agency needs.This position will be required to come into the Austin, TX office a few days a week

This position will start in May and will end on August 9th of 2024 with the possibility of an extension of part-time work into the fall and spring.

Salary Will Be Dependent Upon Education Level

Undergraduate (Senior) - $19.50/hour

Graduate Student - $21.00/hour

What You Will Do

Communications

• Assists with the executive dashboard(s) using the Microsoft Power BI platform.
• Assists with reports, surveys and other electronic and print materials used to inform and educate agency executives, TRS members, Legislative members and employees, and the public.
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Data Analysis

• Assists with analyzing and validating data to use within dashboards and reports.
• Assists with summarizing data using tables, graphs, and charts.
• Provides suggestions about potential visualizations and uses for data to accurately convey the story.
• Assists with organizing data in readable and concise formats.
• Assists with preparing management reports and presentations, identifying trends, patterns, and predictions using relevant data.
• Helps identify data quality issues and participate in initiatives to improve data quality.
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General Support

• May assist in researching, compiling, and analyzing data; entering data into spreadsheets, databases, and other automated applications; validate data and prepare complex queries and reports.
• May review forms, correspondence, reports, and other documents for completeness and acceptability.
• May assist in reviewing and analyzing agency policies, procedures, and forms and recommending changes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• May assist with SharePoint site for Pension Policy and Research.
• Assists in completing special projects.
• Performs related work as assigned.
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Required Education

WHAT YOU WILL BRING:

• Currently enrolled in and actively attending an accredited college or university as an undergraduate student with a declared major in Public Relations, Communications, Public Affairs, Government, Political Science, Economics, Process Improvement, Business Analyst or a similarly related field of study; OR
• Currently enrolled in and actively attending an accredited college or university as a graduate student (Master or Doctoral) in Public Relations, Communications, Public Affairs, Government, Political Science, Economics, Process Improvement, Business Analyst or a similarly related field of study.
• Applicant will be required to submit a copy of official college transcript.
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Required Experience

• None
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Required Registration, Certification, Licensure

• None.
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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience writing and editing content for publication.
• Strong communication skills. Samples attached to the online application are strongly encouraged.
• Strong analytical skills. Samples attached to the online application are strongly encouraged.
• Letter(s) of recommendation from program professor(s) are strongly encouraged.
• Experience using Microsoft Office software.
• Pursuing a Liberal Arts Degree Program.
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Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge of:

• General office practices and procedures.
• Using a personal computer in a Windows and Microsoft Office environment (Word, Excel, TEAMS, and SharePoint). Microsoft Power BI experience is a plus.
• Concepts and practices of proofing, editing, validating, and preparing informational materials.
• Some management practices as applied to the analysis, evaluation, development, and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures.
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Skills In

• Completing detailed work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Conducting data searches and evaluations of large amounts of information.
• Performing complex data analysis and preparing concise and accurate reports including written/oral recommendations.
• Communicating complex information that is accurate, timely, and easily understood.
• Providing quality customer service.
• Reviewing documentation; properly applying complex laws, regulations, rules, and policies; and making decisions based on sound judgment.
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Ability To

• Initiate collaborative work relationships across business areas.
• Ability to present information in a concise and understandable way.
• Self-motivated and have innate curiosity.
• Evaluate problems and develop alternative solutions.
• Develop, interpret, and implement policies and procedures.
• Communicate effectively.
• Comprehend strategic direction, translate into action, and make effective decisions to execute the defined strategy.
• Research complex pension industry data and present and discuss results in a meaningful, simple way.
• Analyze and interpret technical information including regulations, policies, and system documentation/specifications.
• Exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.
• Establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with co-workers, agency staff, and other external contacts.
• Work effectively in a professional team environment.
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Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Codes

Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with experience in the Military Occupational Specialty ( https://www.trs.texas.gov/files/trs-military-crosswalk.xlsx ) along with the minimum qualifications listed above may meet the minimum requirements and are highly encouraged to apply. Please contact Talent Acquisition at careers@trs.texas.gov with questions or for additional information.

To view all job vacancies, visit www.trs.texas.gov/careers or www.trs.csod.com/careersite .

For more information, visit www.trs.texas.gov .