Payrol and Benefits Specialist (1822)

This role oversees the full lifecycle of Benefits Administration and Payroll Operations for a multi‑state U.S. workforce and Canadian employees. It combines analytical expertise, regulatory compliance, vendor management, and employee support to ensure accurate payroll delivery and a competitive, compliant benefits program. The position serves as a primary liaison between employees, leadership, brokers, and payroll/benefits providers while maintaining strict confidentiality and operational excellence.

Benefits Management

• Recommends benefits programs to management by studying employee requirements, trends and developments in benefits offered by other organizations.
• Supports management decision-making process by analyzing benefit options and predicting future cost.
• Identifies benefit options by studying programs and obtaining advice from consultants/brokers
• Working knowledge and ensures compliance with federal, state and local legal requirements by studying exiting laws and regulations and updates to legal requirements (ACA reporting/COBRA/HIPAA/ERISA/FMLA)
• Resolves employee questions and problems by interpreting benefit policies and procedures
• Design a competitive benefits package to include but not limited to Health Insurance Coverage, prescription drugs, 401k, vacation, holiday, wellness programs
• Manages existing disease management and wellness programs as well as analyze effectiveness of programs and research/recommend new initiatives.
• Collect, analyze and summarize reports on a monthly basis provided by medical programs – cost vs actual
• Reconcile all billing from all providers on a monthly basis
• Primary contact with Benefit consultants and plan providers to ensure efficient administration of benefit plans
• Audit and track all plans to ensure employees are in plans they elected, terminate employees from plans, manage eligibility of new hires via HRIS/Benefits System
• Manage Service Award Program
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops and reviewing professional publications; networking

Payroll Management

• Process bi-weekly payroll for US (multi-state) and Canadian employees; directing the production and issuance of paychecks or electronic transfers to bank accounts
• Updates payroll records by reviewing and approving changes in exemptions, insurance coverage, savings deductions, job titles and department/division transfers
• Prepares reports by compiling summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, leave, disability and nontaxable wages on a bi-weekly, quarterly and yearly basis; convey required reports to Accounting
• Balances the payroll accounts by resolving payroll discrepancies
• Complies with federal, state and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management of needed actions
• Maintains payroll guidelines by writing and updating policies and procedures
• Maintains employee confidence and protects payroll operations by keeping information confidential.
• Maintain accurate employee files and electronic records via HRIS and Payroll System
• Review employee status changes, tax withholdings, benefits, direct deposits, etc. for accuracy via HRIS/Payroll System
• Support Managers and first-line supervisors in permanent employee on time and attendance records/reporting, paid time off, overtime and leave tracking
• Ensure state employee tax rates are communicated to HRIS/Payroll provider
• Ensure temporary employees time sheets are provided to vendor on a weekly basis
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; networking; professional organizations
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work with competing or quickly changing priorities
• Ability to work in self-directed manner
• Customer Service approach to employee, vendor and agency interactions
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
• Ability to meet individual goals while supporting individual business areas
• Strong sense of work ownership and accountability
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships at all levels of the organization
• Ability to manage complex subjects and situations 
• Strong commitment to confidentiality and professionalism at all times
• Ability to analyze and diagnose problems quickly while maintaining a solutions oriented approach
   

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources or related field; or combination of education and experience in Human Resource/Benefits (ie Associates + 10 years’ experience)
• Proficiency in HRIS software (currently Dayforce); Fleet Management Software
• Proficiency in MS Office products