Payroll and Benefits Specialist

CORE PURPOSE AND VALUES

• Empowerment –Enabling employees to achieve work-life balance & professional growth and success
• Pride – A small coastal city dedicated to displaying a big heart through our commitment to the community
• Integrity – We hold ourselves, individually and collectively, accountable to our community and our organization
• Communication – Open & honest dialogue with our community and throughout our organization
• Teamwork– Working together with our community to achieve common organizational goals

JOB SUMMARY AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position performs difficult, skilled technical and administrative work processing payroll, coordinating benefit programs, and maintaining payroll systems and employee databases; does related work as required. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Payroll/Benefits Administrator. Supervision may be exercised over administrative personnel.

• Maintains employee-related records and databases. Prepares and analyzes reports that are necessary to carry out the functions of the department and office. Prepares periodic reports for management, as necessary or requested.
• Processes personnel actions, verifies accuracy and completeness of forms, and enters information to the personnel database.
• Develops, schedules, assigns, monitors, reviews, and evaluates the work of assigned staff.
• Participates in the preparation of the departmental Business Plan.
• Conducts exit interviews with employees upon separation.
• Provides training and administrative support for Human Resources and other departments as needed.
• Exercises professional discretion and confidentiality concerning all duties performed.
• Performs related tasks as required.

• Performs payroll and benefit processing and maintenance in accordance with appropriate city, state, and federal guidelines and overall organizational goals and objectives.
• Maintains the computerized payroll system and coordinates software updates.
• Works closely with Finance to assist internal and external auditors during the audit process by providing documents, reports, and other payroll-related reports upon request.
• Provides direction and assistance to timekeepers and other users.
• Resolves issues related to calculation of pay in accordance with collective bargaining agreements, City policy, and legislative requirements; provides employee support related to taxes, garnishments, imputed income, pension, or benefit deductions, etc.
• Prepares and processes bi-weekly and monthly payroll for all employees and retirees.
• Recommends and assists in developing and implementing new and/or revised policies and procedures to ensure efficient processing of the City’s payroll and ongoing compliance with legislative mandates and statutes.
• Develop forms and records for achieving effective internal control of payroll operations.

• Assists with benefits enrollment and benefit administration including health, dental, life, voluntary life, vision, Section 125 flexible benefits, and retirement plans.
• Responds to inquiries regarding benefit administration. Ensures that issues are properly investigated and resolved in a timely manner.
• Develop forms and records for achieving effective internal control of benefit administration.

QUALIFICATIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Education and Experience:
A high school diploma or equivalent and three years of experience in human resources with two years as a Payroll and Benefits Technician. College level coursework and/or professional payroll certification are preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll and benefits administrative policies and procedures.
• Current knowledge of the laws, ordinances, and regulations governing municipal pay and benefit administration.
• General knowledge of state regulations regarding public records and the release of employee files.
• Knowledge of basic math, including the ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and compute percentages.
• Thorough knowledge of modern office procedures, practices, and equipment as applied to the maintenance of payroll systems.
• Ability to evaluate, recommend, and implement improvements to the payroll system.
• Ability to develop a historical perspective of the City’s payroll system and of past practice.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive materials and communications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, administration, employees, and retirees.

• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Manual Dexterity: Picking, pinching, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Vocal Communication: Required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing: Required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Visual Acuity: Required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER INFORMATION