Junior Investment Analyst Trainee

Full Job Description

Are you passionate about analyzing investment and economic trends and risks? Would you love to apply your knowledge of quantitative methods, investment modeling, and statistical analysis techniques to a challenging and rewarding career in a dynamic field? If so, consider applying today for this Junior Investment Analyst Trainee opportunity at the PA State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS), wherein you can hone and enhance your skills by assisting in the investment management of the $43 billion Defined Benefit Plan, the $5.4 billion Defined Contribution Plan, and the $450 million Deferred Compensation Plan.

Requirements

This position assists the Portfolio Manager, Deputy Chief Investment Officer, and Chief Investment Officer with data collection, analysis, and research related to investment strategies, trends, risks, and economic factors across all investment asset classes: Private Equity, Real Estate, U.S.

Equity, International Equity, Emerging Markets Equity, Fixed Income, Inflation Protection, and Cash.

Responsibilities include direct involvement and coordination with internal staff, investment consultants, and external investment firms and are performed in accordance with the State Employees’ Retirement Code, other applicable state, federal, and international laws and regulations, and the SERS investment policy statement.After successful completion of the training year, the employee in this position will be promoted to Junior Investment Analyst with a corresponding increase in pay.

An employee also may be eligible for a pay increase of up to 2% each time the employee successfully completes one of the two levels of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) certification exam, as well as a pay increase of up to 2.5% each time the employee successfully completes one of the three levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification exam.Interested in learning more about this position?

Additional details can be found in the position description.About SERS: Established in 1923, SERS is one of the nation’s oldest retirement plans for public employees and manages the pension benefits of more than 246,000 employees and retirees for 96 public sector employers.

In 2025, SERS paid more than $4.0 billion in benefits and manages nearly $50 billion in assets. Additional information is available at www.SERS.pa.gov.

Our mission is to prepare our members and participants to achieve financial security in retirement.

We achieve this through focusing on our mission, acting ethically and with integrity, empowering our members, embracing innovation, fostering life work balance, modeling an inclusive and respectful workplace, valuing and developing team members, collaborating, and finding joy in our work.

SERS is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified individuals to our team.

We are committed to an inclusive and respectful work environment that fosters personal and professional growth, embraces the contributions of all team members, and leverages diversity in people, ideas, and experiences to achieve our highest potential.

SERS is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Situated along the Susquehanna River, Harrisburg is an affordable city in which to live and is located just a few hours from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5-hour work week, 7.5-hour workday, Monday through Friday.
• Work hours: A work schedule beginning and ending between 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, inclusive, with a half-hour or one-hour unpaid meal period will be considered, depending on operational requirements. The requested schedule may not end prior to 4:00 PM.

Telework: This is a full-time telework position.

Occasional onsite visits to the Harrisburg headquarters location and travel to meetings at external investment firms and consultant offices may be required.

In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location in Pennsylvania.

If you are unable to telework, you must work onsite at the work location specified in this job posting. Telework arrangements are subject to change.

Additional details may be provided during the interview.

• Financial Disclosure: The individual appointed to this position will be required to disclose financial information consistent with provisions of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act and the Governor's Code of Conduct.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
• This position is located in Dauphin County, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. SERS will not pay for relocation, housing, or travel expenses. All applicants must be willing to work in and commute to the Harrisburg location when onsite work is required.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting, economics, finance, or statistics from an accredited U.S. college or university or a certified foreign studies equivalency; or
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a certified foreign studies equivalency which includes or is supplemented by 24 semester hour credits in accounting, economics, finance, statistics, or a related field.

Additional Requirements:

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.
• You must possess satisfactory communication and interpersonal skills.
• You must be adept at problem-solving and decision-making.
• You must possess satisfactory job knowledge (investment concepts, economic theories, quantitative methods, investment modeling, and statistical analysis principles and techniques).
• You must demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of computer hardware and software needed to conduct statistical analysis.
• You must demonstrate satisfactory initiative and motivation.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.

How to Apply:

• Your application must include the following attachments: (1) cover letter, (2) résumé, and (3) college transcripts.
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. To make edits or attach additional documents after your initial application submission, you will need to reapply. Only the most recent application will be considered.
• False or incomplete information may disqualify you from consideration or may be grounds for dismissal if appointed.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only.

Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.




Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.



Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).



If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.




The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.