HR & Payroll Specialist – Organic Dairy Farm

Position Overview

Aurora Organic Dairy is seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative HR & Payroll Specialist to support daily people operations and payroll compliance for our organic dairy farm team. This role blends hands-on HR support with timekeeping, payroll review, break compliance coordination, onboarding, I-9 documentation, and employee recordkeeping. The ideal candidate is highly organized, comfortable working in a fast-paced agricultural environment, and able to partner effectively with farm operations leaders to support employees while ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies and applicable wage and hour requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Review payroll and timekeeping records on a daily and weekly basis to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Monitor employee punch-in and punch-out activity, missed punches, meal periods, rest breaks, and schedule exceptions.
• Partner with supervisors and farm operations leaders to coordinate legally required meal and rest breaks for farm employees, including break needs tied to extended shifts and long workweeks.
• Identify employees approaching or exceeding key work-hour thresholds, including more than 12 hours in a workday, more than 15 hours in a workday, and weekly hours exceeding 60 or 70 hours; escalate concerns and coordinate appropriate next steps.
• Support compliance with Colorado wage and hour requirements, company payroll practices, and internal scheduling guidelines.
• Communicate clearly with supervisors regarding required breaks, schedule adjustments, payroll corrections, and documentation needs.
• Assist with new hire orientation, onboarding paperwork, I-9 completion and tracking, E-Verify support, and employee file maintenance.
• Maintain accurate and confidential HR, payroll, and employee records in accordance with company policy and retention requirements.
• Respond to employee and supervisor questions related to timekeeping, payroll, HR processes, and general employment documentation.
• Provide additional HR administrative support as needed, including reporting, audits, documentation updates, and employee communication.

Qualifications

• Prior payroll experience required, including timekeeping review, payroll corrections, and working with supervisors to resolve exceptions.
• Prior HR experience preferred, but not required; experience with onboarding, I-9s, employee documentation, or HRIS systems is a plus.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills required, including the ability to review data, identify discrepancies, track trends, and prepare basic reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate professionally with employees, supervisors, and HR/payroll partners.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to prioritize competing needs in a fast-paced farm operations environment.
• Working knowledge of wage and hour compliance, scheduling practices, or agricultural labor requirements preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills strongly preferred.

Key Competencies

• Accuracy and Accountability: Reviews payroll and timekeeping details carefully and follows through to resolution.
• Communication: Provides clear, timely, and professional updates to supervisors, employees, and HR/payroll partners.
• Compliance Mindset: Understands the importance of consistent documentation, break coordination, and adherence to wage and hour requirements.
• Collaboration: Builds productive relationships with farm operations leaders and helps translate compliance needs into practical scheduling actions.
• Confidentiality: Handles sensitive employee and payroll information with professionalism and discretion.

Work Environment

This position supports farm-based employees and operations leaders in an organic dairy environment. The role requires regular interaction with supervisors and employees, a strong service mindset, and the ability to balance administrative accuracy with the day-to-day needs of a 24/7 agricultural operation.

About Aurora Organic Dairy

Aurora Organic Dairy is committed to producing high-quality organic dairy products through responsible farming, strong employee support, and a focus on continuous improvement. We value team members who bring integrity, accountability, collaboration, and a commitment to supporting both our people and our operations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Aurora Organic Dairy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.