Payroll and People Operations Administrator

Capstone is seeking a Payroll and People Operations Administrator to own the accurate and timely administration of payroll, employee benefits, leave of absence programs, and human resources compliance while providing exceptional customer service to employees and managers. This role serves as a key member of the People Operations team by ensuring payroll accuracy, maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations, administering employee benefit programs, coordinating leave administration, and supporting day-to-day human resources operations.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, maintains strict confidentiality, and enjoys helping employees while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

This position must be able to work out of our Mankato, MN offices a minimum of 3 days per week, with flexibility to work from home up to 2 days per week.

We support teaching and learning with amazing content that engages students, inspires teachers, and connects families and communities to move literacy forward. Capstone is a fast-paced growth company committed to cultivating a love of reading and learning. We know that Learning is for Everyone.

For over 30 years, Capstone has been a national leader in K-5 educational content including digital products (Pebble Go, Pebble Go Next, Pebble Go Create, Capstone Interactive, Capstone Connect) and award-winning books. We combine a passion for helping foster a powerful love of reading and learning with the talent to create amazing content.

We are a mission-driven company that provides opportunities for professional learning and development and a culture of inclusion and belonging.

• Utilizes high attention to detail and accuracy to analyze, prepare, and input accurate bi-weekly payroll in Paylocity HRIS.
• Review payroll data for completeness and accuracy.
• Process new hires, terminations, pay changes, bonuses, commissions, retroactive adjustments, garnishments, and deductions.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws.
• Reconcile payroll reports and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Prepare payroll-related reports for Finance and leadership.
• Support year-end payroll processing including W-2 preparation and reconciliation.
• Compiles payroll data such as garnishments, salary adjustments, paid time off, earned sick and safe leave, insurance, YMCA, United Way and 401(k) deductions.
• Manage Payscale compensation software and data updates.

• Administer all employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA, HSA, 401(k), and others.
• Coordinate new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, and benefit terminations.
• Lead annual Open Enrollment process, including coordination, scheduling, and training employees.
• Serve as the primary contact for employee benefit questions.
• Partner with benefit brokers and vendors to resolve issues.
• Process monthly benefit billing reconciliations.
• Administer FMLA, state paid leaves, ADA accommodations, parental leave, military leave, workers' compensation, and other leave programs.
• Coordinate leave documentation and communication with employees, managers, and third-party administrators.
• Track leave balances and ensure timely return-to-work processes.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable leave laws.

• Maintain accurate electronic employee personnel files.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, FMLA, ACA, COBRA, EEO, ADA, and other applicable employment laws.
• Coordinate payroll, benefit, and HR audits.
• Maintain required employment documentation.
• Assist with HR policy administration.
• Support compliance reporting and government filings.

• Assist with onboarding and offboarding processes.
• Prepare employment verification requests.
• Maintain HRIS employee records.
• Manage organizational charts and job title/supervisor changes across all systems.
• Coordinate employee communications related to payroll and benefits.
• Lead employee recognition and support employee wellness initiatives.
• Assist with special human resources…