Payroll and Benefits Specialist

$62,400 - $109,200/Yr

Unclassified - Colfax, WA

Full-time - Entry Level

Colfax, WA

About the position

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is a vital role within WHMC, responsible for the preparation and processing of bi-weekly payroll, employee benefits, and leave of absence functions for all employees. This position requires a keen attention to detail and a thorough understanding of federal and state laws to ensure compliance in all payroll-related activities. The specialist will investigate and resolve any payroll issues or discrepancies that arise, ensuring that employees are paid accurately and on time. Additionally, the role involves counseling employees on their wages and benefits, advising them on leaves of absence, and processing claims related to workers' compensation and unemployment. In addition to payroll duties, the Payroll and Benefits Specialist will perform HR Generalist functions as directed by the Director of Human Resources. This includes maintaining HR records, managing employment relations, conducting new employee orientations, and participating in various departmental activities. The specialist is expected to promote a positive working environment, communicate effectively with staff, and adhere to organizational policies and procedures. The position also requires the specialist to manage benefits changes, conduct annual open enrollment, and serve as a primary point of contact for employees regarding benefits-related inquiries. The specialist will ensure that all benefits changes are processed accurately and timely, and will audit benefit enrollment reports for accuracy. Furthermore, the role involves providing information to employees regarding the leave of absence process, including FMLA and workers' compensation, and managing the return-to-work process in accordance with organizational practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage the timely and accurate processing and distribution of bi-weekly payroll for all employees in compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws.
• Process all payroll changes, including benefit changes, leaves, direct deposits, and payroll adjustments.
• Address payroll-related inquiries and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Ensure payroll taxes are filed and paid monthly or quarterly in accordance with governmental regulations.
• Train employees on WHMC's timekeeping system.
• Provide expertise and guidance on timekeeping matters to departmental leadership.
• Provide accurate employee verification to external sources, i.e., loan verification.
• Prepare and generate reports and documentation such as weekly, monthly, quarterly and year-end reports, including reports for federal and state agencies (W-2s, 1095s, etc.), auditors, consultants, and departmental records.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employees regarding benefits-related inquiries, ensuring timely and accurate resolution of issues.
• Manage benefits changes for each payroll, including retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision, and ancillary benefits.
• Conduct annual open enrollment and benefits orientation for new hires.
• Review and process benefits changes, qualifying life events, deductions, and coverages.
• Consult with benefits vendors and brokers to manage benefits programs and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Prepare benefit billings for submission to Accounts Payable.
• Audit benefit enrollment reports for accuracy.
• Provide timely and accurate information to employees regarding the leave of absence process, including FMLA, PFML, and worker's compensation.
• Process and maintain documentation and time tracking records related to leaves of absence.
• Ensure return-to-work process and light duty accommodations are managed in accordance with provider recommendations and organizational practice.
• Assist employees with general HR inquiries, including policy interpretation.
• Participate in preparation and delivery of new employee orientation; steps in for HR team members as needed.
• Provide assistance with recruitment, HRIS, compensation, and other generalist activities as needed.
• Participate in department process improvement activities.

Requirements

• Associate's degree or certification in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field; an additional two (2) years of payroll or HR experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
• Three (3) years of full-cycle payroll experience in Workday, ADP, UKG, or comparable system for >300 employees.
• Two (2) years of experience in Human Resources, to include employee benefit administration and general HR duties.
• Experienced user of Microsoft Word and Excel, including building spreadsheets.
• Effective and professional in both written and verbal communications.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Accounting, or related field.
• CPP, CEBS, SHRM, or HRCI certification.
• Prior healthcare experience.

Benefits

• Medical insurance begins on day one.
• Dental insurance coverage.
• Vision insurance coverage.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Retirement options (403(b) & 457).
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual based on hours worked, encompassing holiday, sick, and vacation time.
• Full-time employees can accrue 23 8-hour PTO days per year, which increases with longevity.