Payroll & Benefits Specialist

About the Organization

Liberty Dogs™ is a premier service dog training program whose goal is to empower Veterans with disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives - enhancing their well-being through the unconditional support that Liberty Service Dogs™ provides. Located on a 27-acre campus, it includes a training facility, dog housing, an administrative and multipurpose building, and accommodations for Veterans staying on campus to train with their Liberty Service Dogs™.

Position Summary

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for accurately processing payroll, maintaining employee records, administering benefits programs, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This dual-role position plays a critical part in supporting the HR and Finance departments, ensuring employees are paid correctly and on time while receiving the benefits they are entitled to. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, highly organized and comfortable working with sensitive financial and personnel data.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll

• Oversee the timekeeping system, reviewing and importing employee hours to ensure compliance with labor laws and company policies.
• Process payroll on a biweekly schedule and ensure accuracy of employee earnings, deductions, taxes and benefits.
• Create and post payroll-related journal entries to the general ledger, accounting for gross wages, employee and employer taxes, benefit deductions, and net pay.
• Regularly compare and reconcile payroll records, including the payroll register and tax reports, against the bank statements and general ledger entries.
• Coordinate with external payroll service provider for timely payroll tax filings.
• Maintain compliance with state and federal tax laws and standards.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll and pay discrepancies.
• Prepare payroll reports for internal use and external audits.
• Establish and maintain payroll best practices.

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefits programs including health, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, FMLA, and retirement plans.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding benefit inquiries, eligibility, claims, and coverage issues, resolving discrepancies with carriers.
• Plan, coordinate, and administer the annual open enrollment process, including preparing and distributing materials and communicating changes to employees.
• Process and maintain benefits enrollment forms, changes, and terminations in HRIS and with providers.
• Ensure benefits compliance with applicable laws (e.g., ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA).

HR & Compliance Support

• Maintain and update employee records in the HRIS and payroll systems.
• Prepare reports for internal stakeholders and regulatory agencies as needed.
• Ensure confidentiality and accuracy of sensitive employee information.
• Assist with audits and reporting for benefits and payroll.

Position Requirements, Skills & Qualifications

• Candidates must successfully pass a background check, possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Experience with payroll and HRIS systems, Bamboo HR experience preferred.
• Proficiency with accounting software systems and Microsoft Office suite.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.