Payroll & Leave Specialist

We have an exciting career opportunity for a Payroll & Leave Specialist to join our team!

The Payroll & Leave Specialist is responsible for accurate, timely, confidential, and compliant end-to-end payroll administration and employee leave management. This role manages bi-weekly payroll processing, timekeeping validation, gross-to-net, special pay calculations, payroll controls and leave administration while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

The Payroll & Leave Specialist serves as the subject matter expert, partners with HR, Accounting, Treasury, Legal, and leaders to support payroll accuracy and effective leave administration. This role also maintains payroll and leave systems and workflows within Oracle EBS and administers payroll-related benefit and 401(k) deductions, direct deposits, off-cycle payments, tax withholding, garnishments, benefit and retirement plan, union dues deductions, PTO/vacation and personal time accrual activity, and year-end payroll processes.

Citizens Energy Group offers competitive salary and benefits including:

• Health, Dental & Vision
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match
• Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Wellness Program
• Adoption and tuition assistance
• Employee Credit Union
• PTO and Paid Holidays
• Flexible Hybrid Work Schedule

Compensation: Grade 8 ($68,300 minimum)

• Processes end-to-end bi-weekly payroll accurately and on schedule, including time and attendance review, earnings, overtime, special pay, adjustments, direct deposits, replacement checks, off-cycle payments, and final pay.
• Validates timecards, pay codes, payroll inputs, employee changes, new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, leave payments, PTO/vacation accruals, and other payroll-impacting transactions prior to payroll close.
• Administers payroll deductions and with holdings, including federal, state, and local taxes, benefits, retirement/401(k), garnishments, tax levies, child support, charitable contributions, union dues, and other voluntary or required deductions.
• Administers disability, military, and other company-provided leaves. Evaluates FMLA eligibility and qualifying events, applies leave policies and regulatory requirements, and coordinates the interactive process and accommodation requests under the ADA in partnership with HR leadership, Legal, and other stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Coordinates leave intake, eligibility determinations, required notices and documentation, payroll impacts, benefit deductions, return-to-work activities, and communication with employees, leaders, HR partners, and third-party administrators while exercising sound judgement in interpretation and application of leave and accommodation requirements.
• Reviews payroll registers, exception reports, deduction reports, and control totals to identify and resolve discrepancies before and after payroll is finalized.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, hour, tax, recordkeeping, and company policy requirements while maintaining strict confidentiality of employee payroll information.
• Process monthly union remittance reports, maintain dues and initiation fees, and assist with union audits.
• Maintains employee payroll records, payroll system data, direct deposit information, tax withholding elections, deduction setup, pay elements, and related documentation in accordance with retention and confidentiality requirements.
• Maintains accurate leave records and case documentation, tracks leave usage and key dates, monitors required certifications and reconciles leave payments and balances across HRIS systems.
• Identifies, research, tests, and resolves payroll and leave system…