Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Description

Ascentec Engineering is hiring a Payroll and Benefits Specialist who will be responsible for administering accurate and timely payroll processing and managing employee benefits programs. Approximately half of this role is dedicated to payroll operations, with additional responsibility for ensuring compliance with labor laws and payroll tax regulations, conducting payroll audits, managing employee timecards, reviewing health insurance billing for accuracy, and supporting administration of the company’s 401(k) plan.

This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while providing responsive support to employees regarding questions related to payroll and benefits. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly organized, and experienced in payroll systems and benefits administration.

This is an on-site position at Ascentec’s Tualatin, Oregon facility and one-day per week at Ascentec’s Dallas, Oregon facility. The position is not eligible for remote or hybrid work arrangements. Additionally, the position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship or transfer of Visa sponsorship.

• Process bi-weekly payroll accurately and on time, and off-cycle payrolls as needed
• Review and validate employee timecards, overtime calculations, and pay differentials prior to payroll processing
• Maintain payroll records including earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, and direct deposits
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws
• Prepare, review, and reconcile payroll reports, including quarterly and year-end filings such as W-2s
• Conduct routine payroll audits to identify discrepancies, trends, or compliance issues and implement corrective actions
• Coordinate with Finance on payroll reconciliations, journal entries, and internal or external audits
• Support payroll tax filings and respond to inquiries from tax agencies as needed
• Support the annual salary review process by preparing compensation reports, validating approved changes, and ensuring salary updates are accurately entered and applied in payroll/HRIS in accordance with effective dates and internal controls

• Administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans
• Manage employee enrollments, life event changes, terminations, and annual open enrollment processes
• Review health insurance invoices and carrier billing for accuracy and resolve discrepancies with providers
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits questions and issue resolution
• Support administration of the company’s 401(k) plan, including enrollments, contributions, loans, and coordination with plan providers
• Ensure benefits programs comply with applicable regulations such as ACA, ERISA, COBRA, and FMLA
• Maintain accurate benefits records and documentation within the HRIS

• Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll, deductions, and benefits
• Maintain confidentiality and data integrity of employee records
• Support HR initiatives and special projects as needed
• Monitor changes in payroll, tax, and benefits legislation and recommend process updates as needed

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 3+ years of experience in payroll and benefits administration
• Working knowledge of payroll systems and HRIS platforms
• Strong understanding of payroll taxes, wage and hour laws, and benefits regulations
• High attention to detail and accuracy

• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or similar certification
• Experience with multi-state payroll
• Experience administering benefits for organizations with 300+ employees

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other payroll-related tool

• $55,000 to $70,000 per year DOE
• Dental and Medical w/vision coverage insurance plans offered
• STD/LTD & Life…