Payroll & Benefits Specialist

JOB SUMMARY:

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely administration of payroll and employee benefits programs for Chase Oaks Church and Center for Church Renewal (CCR). This position serves as the primary specialist of payroll processing, benefits administration, payroll tax compliance, HRIS maintenance, and employee benefit support. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist also provides general Human Resources support while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and customer service. Reports to HR Director.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collect and input payroll data in Paycom and process employee changes (new hires, pay rate changes, employment status changes, housing allowances, and benefit elections) for both Chase Oaks Church and Center for Church Renewal (CCR), ensuring compliance with IRS guidelines
• Maintain payroll system setup, including tax reporting changes for pastors and clergy as required by IRS regulations, as well as payroll-related system configurations and GL mapping
• Process semi-monthly payroll and review payroll reports for accuracy; prepare manual checks, voids, stop payments, and payroll corrections as necessary
• Manage wage garnishments, verify quarterly Form 941 filings, verify year-end W-2 and W-3 reporting, and research payroll tax code changes to maintain compliance with federal regulations
• Fund payroll accounts, provide payroll-related reporting to CCR, post payroll entries (G/L, 403(b), HSA, fees), and reconcile benefits accrual accounts monthly
• Update HSA systems with employee and employer changes, maintain semi-monthly HSA deposits, and process quarterly employer contributions
• Input and verify annual salary, housing allowance, and benefit information during each compensation cycle
• Process Love Fund assistance related to staff and assist the HR Director and leadership team with confidential compensation and payroll reporting
• Respond to employment and salary verification requests submitted by authorized agencies and organizations
• Administer employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plans, health savings accounts, and leave programs
• Process benefit enrollments, qualifying life event changes, and terminations; coordinate annual open enrollment activities and employee benefit communications
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll and benefit inquiries and coordinate with benefit vendors, brokers, and third-party administrators to resolve issues
• Remain knowledgeable regarding pastoral compensation requirements and event payment guidelines related to hours worked by staff

JOB PROFILE:

SPECIFIC SKILLS / STRENGTHS

• Ability to process highly confidential employee, payroll, benefits, and church information with discretion and professionalism
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask effectively
• Ability to work well with others on staff, maintaining a mindset that support functions exist to serve ministry teams
• Ability to work diplomatically in representing the church with outside organizations, vendors, government agencies, and institutions
• Ability to provide creative solutions for changing ministry and operational needs
• Strong customer service, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication skills

EXPERIENCE DESIRED

• Minimum three (3) years of payroll administration experience required
• Employee benefits administration experience preferred
• Paycom payroll administration experience strongly preferred
• Experience with church payroll, clergy compensation, and pastoral housing allowances preferred

EDUCATION DESIRED

• College-level accounting education or an equivalent combination of relevant payroll and benefits experience

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• There are no supervisory responsibilities for this role.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to speak effectively and understandably on the phone. The ability to effectively present information and respond to common inquiries regarding the Chase Oaks technical environment is also required. High attention to customer service.

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook calendaring, and email
• Advanced knowledge of Excel and reporting functions
• Basic knowledge of PowerPoint
• Data entry skills and experience
• Experience with Paycom is strongly preferred
• Familiarity with HRIS systems, benefits administration systems, and databases

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Lifting 15 pounds is an occasional but essential requirement. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.