Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Overview

JSND is seeking a detail-oriented and service-focused Payroll and Benefits Specialist to join our finance team. In this role, you will ensure accurate payroll and benefit processing for employees while supporting agency-wide accounting operations. You will have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful public service work while building expertise in payroll, benefits, and accounting.

• Payroll and Benefits Administration:
  Process, audit, and reconcile payroll and benefit transactions for full-time and temporary employees; process and/or oversee employee changes in payroll system, time off, holidays, benefit enrollments; and ensure accuracy across payroll and benefit systems.
• Accounting and Financial Processing:
  Perform general accounting functions related to unemployment insurance and agency operations, including bank rejects, interagency billings, general ledger entries, journal vouchers, tax payments, and internal audits to ensure compliance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Reconciliations and Reporting:
  Complete monthly reconciliations for benefit and insurance billings; prepare grant reimbursement reports, financial statement schedules, W-2s, and other required reports.
• Support and
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Provide assistance to staff, serve as backup to other accounting team members, communicate payroll and benefit updates to employees, and participate in meetings and training as required.

• Four (4) years of experience performing payroll processing, benefits administration, or accounting functions directly related to payroll transactions or employee compensation.

Education in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources or a related field can substitute experience on a year for year basis. Must have a minimum of two (2) years of experience processing payroll and administering employee benefits.

The ideal candidate will have experience in payroll and benefits administration, preferably in a public sector setting. Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting, reconciliations, financial reporting, and grant reimbursements is desirable, along with understanding of federal and state payroll, benefits, and unemployment compliance. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams) and familiarity with the financial functions of People Soft is preferred.

The successful candidate will demonstrate attention to detail, the ability to resolve transaction discrepancies, and strong communication skills to support employees and collaborate effectively with the accounting team.

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

Total Rewards: The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family.

Considering a new position on Team ND? How does your current position stack up? Use our Total Rewards Calculator to estimate.

All application material must be received online through the ND People Soft System on or before 11:59 p.m. CST on the closing date and must include:

• Resume (must clearly explain how you meet the minimum qualifications)
• Cover letter
• Copy of college transcript (if applicable)
• Three professional references

Our hiring process is designed to be fair, transparent, and focused on your qualifications. Applications will be scored based on a 100-point candidate questionnaire. Final scores determine which qualified applicants advance to the interview stage.

Applicants claiming ND veteran's preference must submit documentation proving their ND residency and eligibility under North Dakota Century Code 37-19.1 to be awarded veterans' preference points. Refer to the ND Veterans’ Preference documentation for required materials to upload.

• Take your time when answering application questions. Provide detailed but concise responses that clearly show how your skills and experience align with the role.
• Prepare thoughtful responses to open-ended (essay) questions, using specific examples. These are personally scored by the hiring team.
• Ensure your resume is detailed, accurate, and up-to-date. The Human Resource team uses your resume to confirm you meet minimum qualifications.
• Applicants are encouraged to provide genuine responses that accurately reflect their own skills, experience, education, and background when completing their application. The use of AI tools to generate answers should be limited to ensure responses are authentic.

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