Payroll and Benefits Specialist

The Human Resources Payroll and Benefits Specialist will assist in handling the day-to-day tasks related to payroll and benefits. The Specialist will be responsible for payroll processing and benefits administration for all employees. He/she will also participate in the implementation and administration of employee benefits and total rewards. He/she will focus on payroll operations, ensuring accuracy and timeliness, preparing and distributing the company’s payroll, and managing compensation and related changes as necessary. The specialist will maintain up-to-date personnel information, oversee time management, and ensure benefits and deductions are recorded and tracked appropriately. They will assist in ensuring team members receive their entitled benefits, understand the available options, and comply with all policies and procedures and regulatory compliance related to benefits, compensation, and total rewards.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for record-keeping related to initial and ongoing employee setup and payroll in HRIS, managing any data-related changes such as direct deposit set ups. Notify any related departments such as IT or L&D
• Assist with payroll-related functions in the HRIS and any related vendors including but not limited, to entering adjustments, status changes, terminations, tax changes, wage garnishments, and direct deposit- ensure accurate taxation, deductions, and or garnishments are applied to employee accounts correctly and timely
• Compile and enter data into payroll spreadsheets and tools in a timely manner for on-time processing of all on and off-cycle payrolls; distribute manual checks as necessary; review timecards for all employees for accuracy; communicate with leaders when errors are identified to make corrections as applicable
• Adheres to all state, local, and federal regulations for payroll processing
• Maintain employee records, and provided support to employees for general pay benefit-related inquiries
• Resolve routine employee inquiries concerning paychecks, payroll deductions and accruals, direct deposit, wage garnishments, child support payments, and employment verifications
• Complete employment verifications
• As applicable, assist with the distribution of year-end tax-related information such as W-2 forms, ACA reporting, and total compensation statements
• Administer employee benefits programs inclusive of open enrollment, plan changes, benefit-related inquiries deduction setups, support open enrollment, orientation, and other related benefit communications
• Serve as primary contact with carriers and third-party administrators, respond to benefit inquiries from team members relating to status changes, plan provisions, and other general benefit inquiries
• Handle pay reporting and responses to unemployment claims and as applicable worker compensation claims
• Performs general clerical duties including but not limited to filing, photocopying, faxing, typing, and mailing
• Point of contact to third-party auditors and plan administrators for annual benefit-related audits such as 401K and benefits for annual 5500 filing
• Other duties as assigned

Skills & Abilities:

• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion
• Understanding of general human resources policies and procedures
• Knowledge of employment/labor laws and leave laws FMLA, and ADA as they impact compensation and total awards
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations to include Garnishments, ERISA, ACA, COBRA, EEO-1 reporting
• Ability to make an independent judgment as necessary
• Ability to work autonomously, managing competing priorities and execute daily tasks to meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite especially Excel
• Excellent communication and people skills
• Aptitude in problem-solving and resourcefulness
• A desire to work as a team with a results-driven approach and eagerness to manage an expanding department and organization

Education, Experience, Specialist Knowledge Requirements:

• Minimum of 2 years experience with payroll processing, garnishment, payroll taxes, total reward, compensation, and health and welfare benefit administration
• Strong familiarity with payroll-related state and tax law, wage and hour laws, and common fiscal procedures
• Understanding of company benefits such as 401(k)s, insurance, voluntary deductions, and ACA filing
• Associate’s degree in human resources, Business, or related field preferred
• 2 years of HR Generalist or Specialist Experience is required with tasks and processes focused in payroll and benefits
• Experience in the Healthcare Staffing industry is a plus
• Experience with ADP or HRIS systems a plus

Any combination of knowledge, skills, abilities, experience and/or education may be considered