Human Resources/Benefits Specialists

Title: Human Resources/Benefits Specialist

Reports to: Business Manager

Primary Functions: The primary function of this position is to ensure legal adherence to labor laws, bargaining unit contracts, and employee services. Supports the business office with human resources, financial compliance, and other duties as described below.

Job Profile:

Qualifications:

• Associate Degree or higher with human resources and accounting experience
• At least three years of Human Resources and Accounting experience
• Significant Human Resources knowledge
• Payroll experience
• Accounts Payable & Receivable experience preferred
• Familiarity and experience with Local, State and School Systems preferred
• Strong experience and knowledge of computerized payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger and the Windows environment
• Strong organizational, communication, technology skills
• Ability to independently perform duties and responsibilities with accuracy and timeliness
• Maintain confidentiality of payroll and personnel data
• Experience working in Human Resources in the Public Education Sector, including a working familiarity with State of Connecticut Department of Education data reporting structures, strongly preferred.
• Ability to identify problems, craft potential solutions
• Must be a team player, with strong communication and collaboration skills, including ability to work in a fast paced environment
• Strict adherence to confidentiality and attention to detail required
• Demonstrated aptitude with employee data systems, with hands on experience in Tyler Technologies/Infinite Visions and Frontline products strongly preferred
• Must be able to use employee data systems with high degrees of accuracy
• Basic literacy in a variety of software programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, to assist in correspondence, preparation of presentations, queries, analytical charts, etc., without assistance
• Excellent interpersonal skills, in addition to solid written and oral communication skills

HUMAN RESOURCES:

• Maintain Personnel Records
• Oversee FMLA and CT Paid Leave
• Maintain employee records with regard to discipline, leaves of absences and accrued time off
• Administer individual union contractual obligations with regard to payroll and HR
• Coordinates on-boarding for new employees, preparing and reviewing hiring paperwork, implementing background checks, insuring compliance with local, state, and federal document requirements, insuring compliance with State Department of Education and relevant agency certification or licensing requirements, liaising with hiring administrators across the District, and completing employee-specific data management with high degree of accuracy.
• Adherence to employee documents system, including personnel confidential data and medical leaves. Duties include working with individual employees to establish eligibility for leaves, engaging in highly confidential and sensitive discussions with employees and health care providers to support the employee during the leave, explaining terms and conditions of the leave under collective bargaining agreements and the FMLA to employees, coordinating with other Central Office personnel, and on-boarding returning employees following the leave. Adhering to confidentiality protocols for all other matters.
• May assist in proper, timely and accurate compliance with annual Connecticut State Department of Education and EEOC reporting requirements for certified and non-certified staff.
• Coordinate recruitment and hiring, including communications and marketing, analysis of recent hiring trends and assisting in the development of strategies to meet hiring goals.
• May assist in preparing responses in administrative proceedings (Unemployment Compensation, CHRO or EEOC), investigations (OCR, DCF), and pending litigation, as experience permits
• Research other municipal contracts and benefit programs
• Responsibilities may also include assisting in the investigation and resolution of grievances

PAYROLL:

• Reviews all timesheets/timecards submitted on a bi-weekly basis for accuracy prior to the Business Manager’s approval
• Compiles and records staff attendance. Provides reporting as required by bargaining unit language. Responds to individual attendance questions as needed.
• Prepares a computerized payroll for approximately 300 employees. Payroll includes issuance of support checks for credit unions, annuity contributions, taxes, garnishments, insurance co-payments, union dues, teacher’s retirement and United Way. Responsible for the payroll associated with all extra pays such as sport stipends, extracurricular advisor pays, non-certified longevity and health/dental insurance rebates.
• Responsible for encumbering payroll and monitoring payroll liquidations on a biweekly basis
• Prepares Quarterly Federal and State 941 Tax Returns. Maintains data for quarterly returns for use in preparation of year end W2s. Prepares W2’s and 1099’s.
• Responsible for the close-out of computerized payroll records at the end of each quarter, calendar year and fiscal year.
• Maintains spreadsheets for all employees including degree, step, FTE, salary, payroll selection, and teacher retirement board amounts
• Responsible for updating and balancing Teacher’s Retirement deductions with the State of Connecticut Teacher’s Retirement Board
• Develops payroll schedules for each school year using the Union Contracts and Board of Education Calendar information
• Assists employees with the completion of tax and insurance documentation
• Responsible for coordinating employee open enrollment for health/dental insurance and payroll selections

GENERAL ACCOUNTING:

• With the assistance of the secretary, encumbers and liquidates accounts payable transactions for all purchase orders including the resolution of discrepancies between purchase orders and invoices
• May maintain vendor list, 1099’s and W-9s
• Cooperates with the auditors and provides information to them as requested.
• Responsible for processing purchase orders and accounts payable associated with Special Programs (Grants). Monitor account expenditures and produce reports utilizing the computerized accounting system. Maintain all files with grant award letters and expenditure detail. Book all grant awards as accounts receivable and process receipt of check utilizing the computerized cash receipts module. With the direction of the Finance Director, transfers appropriate grant funds to the general fund.
• General accounting duties for all funds including internal transfers, journal entries and budget adjustments.
• Maintains system for invoicing and for record-keeping of billable services, including facilities use
• Processes and tracks receipt of all retiree benefit payments

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS:

• Interprets data and provides financial reports as requested by the Business Manager
• Monitors all fund accounts to prevent over-expenditure of budget
• Maintains a complete and systematic set of records for all financial transactions. Creates financial queries as required to complete analysis or as requested by the Business Manager
• Reconciles bank statements for Payroll, Grants, Lunch Program and Self Insurance fund using computerized spreadsheets. Reconciles expenditures monthly and at year end with Town records.
• Proves Health/Dental/Life Insurance bills on a monthly basis against actual enrollment
• Reconciles Student Activity Accounts

OTHER DUTIES:

• Maintains Finance Office Calendar on a weekly basis
• Maintains familiarity with other positions and functions in the Central Office
• Organizes files and information systems required for a smooth office function
• Takes initiative to seek out opportunities to grow professionally
• Maintains professional demeanor and appearance
• Maintains strict confidentiality at all times

Additional Duties:

Assumes other responsibilities as specified by the Business Manager and Superintendent of Schools

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

We actively welcome diverse applicants.
Interested candidates should submit a completed application at:
http://www.applitrack.com/easthaddam/onlineapp/
Questions can be directed to the Board of Education’s office at 860-873-5090

The East Haddam Board of Education seeks employees of diverse backgrounds and is an equal opportunity employer for all persons without regard to race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or physical disability.

Work Location: In person