Payroll and Benefits Specialist

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist manages and processes payroll and administers employee benefits for North Valley Hospital District. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing and compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations. The position also reconciles employee benefit-related invoices to employee payroll deductions and supports accounts payable processes associated with employee benefits. With a focus on accuracy, confidentiality, and exceptional service, the Payroll and Benefits Specialist contributes to the overall success of the Accounting department.

Payroll Administration:

• Process bi-weekly payroll, including reviewing and verifying timecards, calculating wages, and ensuring accurate deductions for taxes, benefits, and garnishments.
• Maintain payroll records in compliance with regulatory and organizational policies.
• Audit payroll for accuracy and troubleshoot discrepancies, coordinating with employees and managers as needed.
• Prepare payroll reports, including tax filings, labor costs, and audit records, as required.
• Stay current on federal, state, and local payroll laws to ensure compliance.

Benefits Administration:

• Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, and disability coverage.
• Coordinate with Human Resources (HR) to confirm benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations in compliance with eligibility requirements.
• Reconcile monthly benefits invoices and ensure accurate deductions in payroll.
• Assist HR with employees regarding claims and appeals and troubleshooting benefit-related issues.

HRIS and Data Management:

• Maintain and update employee information in the HRIS system, ensuring accuracy and policy compliance.
• Generate reports from the HRIS for auditing, compliance, and management use.
• Act as the HRIS subject matter expert regarding employee payroll processes, providing guidance and training to staff as needed.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Ensure compliance with labor laws and tax regulations, and work closely with Human Resources to confirm benefit plan requirements.
• Assist with audits and reporting requirements, including internal and external audits.

Employee Support and Communication:

• Educate employees on payroll and benefits policies, processes, and deadlines.
• Provide exceptional customer service, responding promptly and professionally to employee inquiries.
• Collaborate with HR and other departments to improve payroll and benefits processes.

Other Responsibilities:

• Assist with Accounting and HR projects, such as open enrollment and system upgrades.
• Attend training and maintain knowledge of industry trends and best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support department operations.

Organization’s expectations of Employee:

• Represents North Valley Hospital and facilities positively and professionally by exemplifying the vision, mission, values, and goals of North Valley Hospital.
• Maintains attendance by working the hours of the position. Follows policies and procedures regarding attendance, vacation, holidays, sick leave, and leaves of absence.
• Uses the timekeeping applications efficiently and accurately.
• Adheres to dress code; appearance is neat and clean; wears name badge while on duty
• Uses good customer service skills by relating to staff/healthcare providers, patients/residents, customers, and the general public courteously and diplomatically under all circumstances.
• Compliance with all organizational policies and procedures.
• Participate in CQI/QAPI activities, NVHD Performance Improvement Initiatives, and Disaster Preparedness education/exercises, and complete duties as assigned in case of emergencies/ICS stand-up.
• Completes mandatory training timely.
• Demonstrates the ability to make decisions, take appropriate action, and follow tasks through to completion.
• Effectively collaborates with peers and team members, using tactful, diplomatic communication techniques in potentially sensitive or emotionally charged situations.
• Demonstrates leadership responsibility and skills, including planning and completing duties with minimal directions from the supervisor when appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned, provided skills, abilities, and qualifications are appropriate and sufficient training is provided.

Physical Demands: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing duties of the job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; must have speech, vision, smell, touch and hearing corrected to normal range. The employee must frequently lift/push/pull up to 25 pounds and up to 50 pounds occasionally. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Mental requirements: Must be able to apply common sense to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form; must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure; must be able to read, write, and speak clearly.
• Work environment: Works inside in close working quarters with co-workers. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Exposures: Muscular strain, body fluids, behavior of clients/patients/residents, infectious material, chemicals/cleaning solutions, potential allergens such as plants/flowers, and noxious odors.

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field preferred.
• Payroll certification (e.g., Certified Payroll Professional) is a plus.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience processing payroll and administering benefits in a multi-state environment.
• Experience working with an HRIS system such as UKG, Paylocity, or similar platforms required.
• Prior experience in a healthcare setting is a plus.

Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in payroll processing, benefits administration, and compliance regulations.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll and tax laws.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with HRIS software.
• Excellent organizational skills, with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with employees and managers.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.

Valued but not required skills and experience:

• Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish and /or additional languages

Are you a detail-oriented professional passionate about payroll and benefits? Join the North Valley Hospital District (NVHD) team as a Payroll and Benefits Specialist, where you’ll play a key role in supporting our dedicated employees.

Located in the breathtaking Okanogan Valley, NVHD offers more than just a job—it’s a chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a work-life balance in a region known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant community. As a Payroll and Benefits Specialist, you’ll combine your expertise in payroll processing and benefits administration with your love for problem-solving and employee service, helping our team deliver exceptional care to the community.

If you thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and have experience with HRIS systems like UKG, ADP, or Paylocity, we’d love to hear from you! Bring your skills to NVHD and join a team committed to excellence, collaboration, and daily making a difference.