HR Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Summary:
The HR Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely administration of payroll, employee benefits, and regulatory compliance. This role oversees bi-monthly payroll processing, maintains employee leave absences, and manages benefit programs. The position also leads new hire orientation and ensures compliance with state regulatory requirements by maintaining documentation, an supporting agency inspections and audits.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Process all aspects of bi-monthly payroll for Bridgeway Academy and Therapy Center employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Maintain payroll records by processing time and attendance data, tracking employee status changes, tax withholdings, and benefit deductions, and preparing payroll reports for the Director of Finance. Will serve as the primary point of contact for the payroll vendor to resolve system technical issues and address payroll and benefit-related questions or discrepancies.
• Monitor and maintain employee PTO, sick leave, and continuing education balances, ensuring accurate accruals, year-end rollovers, and PTO payouts.
• Conduct new hire onboarding and orientation, including preparation of employment documentation and collaboration with IT for system access setup
• Conduct quarterly audits of health and welfare benefit deductions to ensure alignment between payroll records, employee elections, and insurance billing statements.
• Assist with annual financial audits, including payroll and 401(k) audits, as required.
• Administer employee benefit enrollments and terminations through payroll system carrier feeds and coordinate with the organization’s benefit consultant to resolve benefit issues and billing discrepancies.
• Assist with and participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for payroll/HRIS system vendors and benefit consultants, including gathering requirements, evaluating proposals and supporting the selection and implementation process.
• Maintain COBRA compliance by entering employee data into the COBRA administration system and ensuring required notifications are generated.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field; or an Associate’s degree with 2–3 years of relevant HR and payroll experience.
• Demonstrated experience with HRIS systems and payroll processing (ADP Workforce Now preferred), as well as strong database and spreadsheet management skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.