Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Title: Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Reports To: HR Director

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Brookings, SD

Mission

To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

Values: Teamwork, Impact Driven, Excellence, Good Character

Job Summary

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is a technical HR professional responsible for the independent and accurate execution of payroll processing, benefits administration, and leave coordination for the organization. Reporting to the HR Director, this position exercises independent judgment in applying federal and South Dakota state wage, benefits, and leave laws, identifying and resolving payroll discrepancies, interpreting compliance requirements under ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and ADA, and managing employee benefits issue resolution. These payroll, benefits, and leave functions constitute the primary duty of this role. On a secondary basis, this position provides HR administrative support as directed by the HR Director. The Payroll and Benefits Specialist upholds Club values of teamwork, impact-driven work, excellence, and good character.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Process end-to-end payroll accurately and on schedule for all staff.

• Review and verify payroll data, including hours, earnings, deductions, and grant-funding allocations.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage laws.

• Reconcile payroll data in coordination with Finance and resolve discrepancies promptly.

• Maintain payroll records and support audit readiness in coordination with the HR Director.

• Respond to payroll-related questions from staff promptly and professionally.

• Conduct internal payroll audits and identify and resolve discrepancies independently, escalating material issues to the HR Director.

Benefits Administration

• Coordinate employee benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations.

• Assist employees with benefits questions and issue resolution.

• Communicate directly with benefits providers to resolve concerns and ensure accurate coverage.

• Support open enrollment processes and distribute benefit information to all staff.

• Assist with compliance tracking related to ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA.

Leave Management

• Process and track employee leave requests including FMLA, ADA accommodations, and other leave types.

• Provide guidance to employees and supervisors on leave procedures in coordination with the HR Director.

• Maintain accurate leave records and coordinate with payroll for proper tracking.

HR Support

• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records in Human Resources Information System (HRIS) platforms.

• Assist with offboarding processes, including final pay coordination and benefits termination.

• Support recruitment coordination on an occasional basis as directed by the HR Director, including scheduling interviews or preparing offer letters.

• Assist with onboarding documentation and I-9 verification on an as-needed basis.

• Provide general HR reporting and compliance documentation support to the HR Director as needed.

• Provide brief front desk backup coverage on an occasional basis when both the HR Assistant and primary front desk staff are unavailable.

Compliance and Record Keeping

• Ensure HR and payroll records meet federal and state recordkeeping requirements.

• Support compliance with grant-related HR documentation requirements as directed by the HR Director.

• Maintain confidentiality of all employee and payroll data in accordance with organizational policy and applicable law.

• As required by South Dakota law (SDCL 26-8A-3) and BGCA national standards, this position carries mandatory reporting obligations for suspected child abuse or neglect.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 2 to 4 years of experience in payroll, benefits administration, or HR support preferred.

• Knowledge of federal and South Dakota state employment and wage laws.

• Proficiency with payroll and HRIS systems such as ADP, Paychex, Paylocity, or BambooHR.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and recordkeeping.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information.

• Effective communication and customer service skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and Outlook.

• Strong alignment with the Club mission and values.

• Successful completion of a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment, consistent with BGCA national standards and our commitment to youth safety.

Preferred Attributes

• HR or payroll certification such as PHR, SHRM-CP, or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).

• Experience working in a nonprofit or youth-serving organization.

• Familiarity with nonprofit funding structures and grant-related payroll allocations.

• Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to operate general office equipment including PC, telephone, and copier.

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Must have the mental and physical capacity to observe, interact, and communicate with youth, staff, volunteers, and parents at the Club.

• This position is considered safety-sensitive. Compliance with the organization's Drug-Free Workplace Policy is required.

Position Disclaimer

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. Employment with Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Plains is at-will, meaning either the employee or the organization may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, consistent with applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Plains provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Human Resources at 605-692-3333.