Trust Officer

At Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI), we are dedicated to providing our customers with friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services and products. Our retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates more than 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, we also offer commercial banking, wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.

Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we're committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.

To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CFSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.

Responsible for servicing and administering assigned accounts in a fiduciary capacity in accordance with account agreements, terms of legal documents, banking regulations, federal/state laws, and internal policies and procedures. Accounts will vary in nature, size, and complexity, but the types of accounts serviced include but are not limited to: custodial accounts, discretionary investment accounts, IRAs; estates; and various types of trusts including revocable, irrevocable, ILIT, supplemental needs, delegated, and testamentary. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Administer accounts in accordance with stated account agreements and/or legal documents to ensure fiduciary duties and responsibilities are fully satisfied.
• Administer and settle trust and estates in accordance with a decedent's Last Will & Testament, Trust Agreement, and/or applicable documents.
• Respond to inquiries or requests for information from clients/beneficiaries, accountants, attorneys, courts, interested parties, auditors, regulators, and internal Bank personnel, as appropriate.
• Document account files and systems to reflect client/beneficiary communications, instructions, and authorizations
• Work with portfolio managers (internally and externally) in the development and implementation of investment objectives and policy statements.
• Maintain updated account files and ensure trust accounting system reflects accurate coding for regulatory and risk management purposes.
• Daily review of account activity.
• Perform annual reviews and any other applicable regulatory reviews
• Analyze, recommend or determine discretionary distribution decisions in accordance with legal instrument and internal policies and procedures.
• Direct and oversee the transfer of funds, distributions, and payment of invoices.
• Manage, secure, insure, value, and oversee unique/non-standard assets in accounts.
• Prepare interim and final accountings for trusts and estates, as needed.
• Coordinate and work with third-party professionals as needed (e.g. real estate appraisers and brokers, attorneys, accountants, etc.).
• Develop and maintain relationships with Wealth Management personnel, both internally and externally, and market area centers of influence (COIs) for new business opportunities.
• Supervise assigned personnel in accordance with all relevant corporate policies
• Provide guidance and training support to Trust personnel and internal/external business partners as needed
• Maintain proficient knowledge of, and demonstrate ongoing compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to this position, ensure ongoing adherence to policies, procedures, and internal controls, and meet all training requirements in a timely manner

Ancillary Duties:

• Perform other related duties as assigned or directed.

Education, Training and Requirements:

• J.D. or B.S., B.A., or M.B.A. degree with a major in Business, Accounting, Marketing, Finance, Economics or related field
• All applicants must be 18 years of age or older
• Either completed or in process of completing courses to attain industry certification.

Skills:

• Strong inter-personal skills; strong written and verbal skills including comfort level for public speaking; strong analytical and problem solving skills; ability to analyze, comprehend, and interpret legal documents; mathematic skills; accounting knowledge; income tax knowledge and/or experience; strong attention to detail with ability to work independently and manage deadlines/workflow; self-starter; strong computer skills including use of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; knowledge of trusts, estates, investments, employee benefits; valid driver's license.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years' experience in trust industry or related position preferred with at least three (3) years' experience as a Trust Officer normally required.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience plus potential for annual merit increase. In addition to your competitive salary, you will be rewarded benefits including: 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, Medical, Vision & Dental insurance, 401K with generous match, Pension, Tuition Reimbursement, Banking discounts and the list goes on!

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk or sit. Use hands and fingers, handle or feel, reach with hands or arms, and speak and hear. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to focus.

The Company is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

The Company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability. If you have a physical or mental impairment and would like to request an accommodation with respect to the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department.