Human Resources Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Job Description Summary

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for overseeing and managing payroll processes and employee benefits programs. This role ensures timely and accurate payroll operations, compliance with labor laws and regulations, and administration of company benefits programs such as health insurance, retirement plans, and leave policies. The specialist also provides support to employees regarding payroll and benefits inquiries and works closely with finance and HR departments to ensure seamless processes.

Experience with Pay Cor payroll software is preferred.

• Performs administrative tasks and HR functions as assigned by the Director of Human Resources.
• Maintains high standards of confidentiality of all employees’ personal records and information.
• Provides support and training on the HRIS – Paycor, as needed.
• Provides support to employees regarding payroll and benefits.
• Maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance.
• Conducts audits of payroll, benefits or other HR programs and recommends corrective action.
• Enters, maintains, and/or processes information in the payroll system; information may include employees hourly rates, salaries, contact information, bonuses or other compensation, time worked, paid leave and holidays, deductions and withholding, address changes, and other information.
• Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits and payroll processes.
• Purchases corporate office snacks.
• Assists finance with generating compliance reports.
• Assists the Director of HR and the COO with generating reports.
• Maintains human resource information system records and compiles reports from the database.
• Tracks harassment compliance training for managers.
• Maintain and audit payroll and benefits records for accuracy and completeness.

• Ensure the accurate and timely processing of weekly payroll for all employees (average 1,000 employees), including hourly, salaries, bonuses, commissions, deductions, taxes, and garnishments, across multiple states.
• Issues, reissues, physical or replacement checks or direct deposits due to errors or final discharge.
• Evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Expertise in using Pay Cor for payroll processing and reporting.
• Oversee timekeeping systems and ensure proper data collection for payroll calculations.
• Monitor payroll transactions and resolve discrepancies as needed.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws regarding wages, payroll taxes, and benefits.
• Prepare payroll reports for management and auditors as required.
• Stay updated with changes in payroll laws and regulations and implement necessary adjustments for multi-state compliance.
• Oversees and leads the payroll functions including employee changes in the HRIS including status changes, terminations, garnishments, entering of deductions and new earnings, and FMLA.

• Assists the Director in researching employee benefits plans and vendors to identify those that present the best value.
• Assists the Director in design, recommend and implement new benefits programs. Examine possible plan designs and benefits cost changes.
• Responds to 401(k) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts.
• Manages the annual catch‑up contribution enrollment.
• Coordinate daily benefits processing. Handle enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, distributions, loans, and hardships.
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records.
• Administers employee benefit programs including health, dental, vision, HSA accounts, COBRA, 401K, and other voluntary benefits programs.
• Responds to benefit inquiries on plan provisions, benefit enrollments, status changes, claim issues, prepares reports and other general inquiries.
• Reconciles monthly benefit invoices by verifying for accuracy and submitting for payment.
• Processe…