Payroll and HR Specialist

University Of The Potomac - Washington, DC

Full-time - Mid Level

Washington, DC

Educational Services

About the position

The Payroll and HR Specialist at the University of the Potomac is a full-time position responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing while also supporting various HR functions. This role is crucial in maintaining the integrity of payroll systems and ensuring compliance with employment laws and HR best practices. The specialist will be involved in processing bi-weekly payroll for all employees, which includes managing payroll records, handling payroll-related inquiries, and ensuring timely filing of payroll taxes. The position also requires collaboration with the Academic department to process contracts and payments for adjunct faculty, as well as coordination with Finance/Accounting to ensure accurate payroll entries in financial statements. In addition to payroll management, the Payroll and HR Specialist will assist with various HR functions such as recruitment, employee onboarding, and benefits administration. This includes coordinating job postings, reviewing resumes, scheduling interviews, and managing the onboarding process in collaboration with the IT department and department managers. The specialist will also administer employee benefits programs, maintain accurate employee records, and support the performance review process. Compliance with employment laws and company policies is a key aspect of this role, as is the ability to handle employee relations issues effectively. The ideal candidate for this position will possess a strong understanding of payroll systems and HR practices, along with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. They will be expected to stay current on labor laws and regulations to ensure that payroll and HR practices comply with legal requirements. This role is essential for maintaining the smooth operation of payroll and HR functions within the university, contributing to a positive work environment for all employees.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll for all employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Work closely with the Academic department to process Adjunct faculty contracts and biweekly payments.
• Maintain payroll records, including timekeeping, employee earnings, and deductions.
• Reconcile employee benefit deductions with the payroll system.
• Handle payroll-related inquiries from employees, providing accurate information and resolving issues in a timely manner.
• Reconcile payroll prior to transmission and validate confirmed reports.
• Ensure timely and accurate filing of payroll taxes, including quarterly and annual reports.
• Coordinate with Finance/Accounting to ensure payroll entries are correctly recorded in financial statements.
• Process employee garnishments, benefits, and other deductions.
• Assist with the recruitment process by coordinating job postings, reviewing resumes, and scheduling interviews.
• Assist in onboarding processes and collaborate with IT department for new employee access and with department managers to ensure smooth onboarding.
• Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other company-provided benefits.
• Manage employee onboarding and offboarding processes, including processing terminations.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate employee records, including personnel files and HR databases.
• Support the performance review process, ensuring documentation is completed and filed appropriately.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and company policies.
• Handle employee relations issues, escalating to HR Director when necessary.
• Stay current on labor laws and regulations to ensure payroll and HR practices comply with legal requirements.
• Assist with internal and external audits related to payroll and HR.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 2-4 years of experience in payroll and HR functions.
• Strong knowledge of payroll systems and HR practices.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure.