HR Generalist_ Payroll and Benefits

Description

ZSI is seeking a hands-on HR Generalist to manage weekly payroll and employee benefits while supporting the full employee lifecycle. This role serves as a trusted resource for employees and supervisors, maintains accurate and compliant records, coordinates recruiting and onboarding, and helps administer leave, workers' compensation, training, and other HR programs across multiple affiliated business entities. The successful candidate will combine strong payroll accuracy with sound judgment, responsive employee service, and practical HR knowledge.

• Process accurate and timely weekly payroll, including hourly and salaried employees, overtime, shift differentials, per diem, paid time off, allowances, bonuses, and other special payments.
• Review timecards, missed punches, job numbers, cost codes, and payroll changes; resolve discrepancies with employees and supervisors before processing.
• Review pre-processing reports, correct errors, submit payroll, and maintain payroll registers, tax reports, earnings reports, and month-end records.
• Protect confidential payroll information and respond to employee payroll questions promptly and professionally.

• Administer new-hire benefits enrollment, annual open enrollment, qualifying life events, terminations, and COBRA coordination.
• Maintain Employee Navigator records, verify payroll deductions and employer contributions, assist employees with access and coverage questions, and resolve discrepancies with benefit partners.
• Prepare and process retirement-plan census and contribution files, reconcile errors, and support required plan audits and compliance activities.
• Review benefit invoices and enrollment records to confirm that new hires, changes, and terminations are processed accurately.

• Serve as an accessible first point of contact for employee questions and workplace concerns, escalating sensitive or complex matters appropriately.
• Support employee-relations reviews, investigations, coaching, disciplinary documentation, attendance matters, and separation processes.
• Administer leave and return-to-work processes, including FMLA correspondence, medical documentation, light-duty tracking, and workers' compensation coordination.
• Maintain and update job descriptions, employee policies, handbook content, and routine HR communications.

• Partner with hiring managers to maintain job postings, review applications, conduct phone screens, schedule interviews, and track candidates in the applicant system.
• Prepare offer letters and onboarding materials; coordinate background checks, drug testing, pre-employment physicals, first-day activities, safety training, and new-hire equipment.
• Maintain onboarding checklists, required training assignments, orientation records, and probationary or introductory review documentation.
• Coordinate career fairs, apprenticeship documentation, workforce-development programs, and relationships with community employment partners.

• Maintain accurate and confidential electronic personnel files, employee data, certifications, licenses, emergency contacts, safety records, and medical clearances.
• Track Form I-9 and E-Verify completion, required background clearances, occupational health requirements, and employee training documentation.
• Support payroll, benefits, retirement, workers' compensation, general liability, and other internal or external audits.
• Use Paylocity and related systems to maintain reliable employee data, reporting, workflow, and audit readiness.

• Associate degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• At least three years of progressive experience in human resources, payroll, and benefits administration.
• Demonstrated experience processing payroll and maintaining highly accurate, confidential employee records.
• Working knowledge of employment practices, wage and hour requirements, benefits administration, leave management, Form I-9 requirements, EEO principles, and HR recordkeeping.
• Experience with Paylocity, Employee Navigator, or comparable HRIS, payroll, benefits, and applicant-tracking systems is strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage recurring deadlines and competing priorities.
• Sound…