Position Details

The Human Resource Specialist coordinates, performs and maintains all County payroll. Responsible to report payroll vendors and makes payments after payroll is complete. provides senior level technical work to coordinate, perform, and maintain all County payroll. This position completes reporting to payroll vendors and makes payment after payroll is complete. Compiles and maintains accounts payables, accounts receivable, and benefits deductions for the Human Resources Department.

Payroll and Human Resources Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists the County Administrator in the Human Resources function and labor negotiations and relations, including access and preparing for labor negotiations and employee relations to include but not limited to involvement with discussing union contract administration, accruals, working with insurance providers and third-party administrators on deductions and billings. 
• Prepares, processes, and maintains all required payroll records and timesheets, provides direction to backup payroll personnel. 
• Provides personnel policy interpretation and enforcement compliance coordinating with the County Administrator and Department Heads.
• Collaborate with the County Administrator in researching and recommending changes in the County Personnel Policies and preparation for labor negotiations.
• Responsible for administration of employee benefit programs: manages employee information and meetings regarding benefit plans; administers COBRA benefits and renewals; performs coverage reviews and audits; and researches and recommends changes to various benefit plans and/or insurance companies (Request for Proposal/RFP process).
• Serves as an employee resource for all payroll and insurance matters.
• Administers FMLA and other leave programs; manages donated leave program
• Provides interpretation of, and ensures compliance with, FLSA, ACA, EEO, ADA, various other federal and state statutes, union contracts, and personnel policies and procedures for employees and department heads with regard to personnel administration.
• Prepare and process accounts payable weekly.
• Coordinates the open enrollment process, answers employee questions, and meets with employees, as needed.
• Maintains and updates PERA/ ERIS systems.
• Assists with annual audit and works with County accountants to ensure accuracy.
• Maintains accurate wage scales, interprets labor contracts related to compensation, benefits and allowances/ stipends.
• Balances and submits all health, life, dental, disability, and various insurance premiums on biweekly and monthly basis for all County employees and retirees.
• Responsible for balancing and submitting all health, life, dental, disability, and various insurance premiums and invoices on a monthly basis for all County employees and retirees.
• Assists in preparing Prepares the County personnel budget for all departments, including calculating estimated wages, salaries, payroll tax and insurance and other related personnel budget needs.
• Compiles and submits records for annual and quarterly billing to individuals for group insurance premiums paid on their behalf for reimbursement.
• Maintains employee payroll records and monitors and implements employee payroll adjustments.
• Maintain knowledge in payroll related law and practices.
• Performs employee verification to creditors. Completes forms and calculates and remits garnishments on employees.
• Completes employee investigations as directed by the County Administrator/HR Director.

Technical/Administrative Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages benefit claim submissions and reconciles benefit plan invoices.
• Conducts COBRA billings and invoicing, payment acceptance and processing.
• Balances bi-weekly payroll and submits to the Auditor/ Treasurer’s Office.
• Assist the Auditor/ Treasurer with the annual audit with HR related items.
• Works closely with the County Administrator in formulating the annual payroll budget including calculating costs of wages, salary, payroll tax and insurance and other related budget items and assists the County Administrator with the HR department budget.
• Creates and submits workers compensation payroll estimate and payroll audit reports.
• Provides technical and administrative support to the County Coordinator and Auditor/Treasurer on project research, budget projections, board agendas, etc.
• Creates and maintains a variety of governmental reporting including payroll and benefit audits, and other governmental reports requiring research, development and submission.

Ancillary Duties and Responsibilities

• Participates in committee meetings including: Trauma Informed Care, insurance and benefits, etc.
  • Serves as chair of Insurance Committee
• Attends training/educational sessions, meetings and seminars to keep current on legislative and regulatory changes and maintain professional competence.

While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County including serving as back-up for all HR functions.

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of human resources administration in a public sector setting.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and policies impacting public sector payroll management.
• Skill in wage and benefit plan administration.
• Skill in writing clear, comprehensive and enforceable policies and procedures.
• Ability to present matters to policy making or advisory bodies requiring effective explanation and persuasion
• Analytical ability to select, evaluate and interpret data from several sources and interpret guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Ability to handle confidential information and follow data practices requirements.
• Skill in operating computers and relevant software.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and interpersonal skills as applied to interactions with staff, officials, vendors, and the general public.
• Analytical ability to select, evaluate and interpret data from several sources and interpret guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Ability to administer operating rules and procedures under management guidance.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts to require cooperation, explanation and persuasion, and complete work that requires enforcement of laws, policies, laws, and procedures.

Education and Experience

• Requires a four- year degree in HR Management, Business Administration with an emphasis in HR or a related field; and
• Two years’ relevant experience; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• PHR or SHRM-CP Certification preferred

Equipment and Tools

• Office equipment and technology, including but not limited to Windows based software and payroll software and applications.

Physical and Mental Requirements

This job typically requires: sitting, standing, walking, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, typing, and seeing. There is prolonged exposure to computer keyboards and video screens. This position is generally light-duty and may require the exertion up to 20 pounds of force.

The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office environment. Travel is required to other facilities, agencies, meetings training, etc.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies Common to All County Positions

• Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures.
• Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.
• Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all-important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.
• Represent Wadena County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.

Wadena County is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer. 

Salary : $27 - $37