Job Description - HR Specialist – Benefits & Payroll

Position Summary:  
Under the supervision of the Director of Human Resources, this position is responsible for assisting with all benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, as well as processing weekly/bi-weekly payroll and maintaining employee time records. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments.
• Assists with new-hire orientations.
• Performs quality checks of benefits-related data.
• Assists employees regarding benefits claim issues and plan changes.
• Distributes all benefits enrollment materials and determines eligibility.
• Enrolls employees with carriers and processes life status changes.
• Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
• Processes and administers all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork: medical, personal, disability and FMLA.
• Effectively interprets FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences/disabilities.
• Assists with the open enrollment process.
• Calculates adjustments to be made to payroll due to separations or Leave of Absences.
• Ensures proper processing of payroll deductions for taxes, benefits, and other deductions.
• Reconciles payroll to the general ledger.
• Issues, or reissues, physical or replacement checks or direct deposits due to payroll errors or final discharge.
• Maintains Longevity records and Job/Salary records in MUNIS according to contract requirements.
• Maintains records for contract-related special pay and stipends, as well as job/salary records in MUNIS.
• Collaborate with Human Resources staff to ensure accurate and timely completion of all payroll documents, W-4, I-9, insurance benefit applications, retirement applications, 403(b) authorizations and other relevant payroll documents for new employees.
• Coordinate with City Retirement and Human Resources staff on benefits-related matters.
• Maintain a filing system of memorandums or other instructions from the Superintendent of Schools, Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations or other designated employees indicating a change or modification in salary, stipends and other forms of compensations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of employee benefits and applicable laws.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Proficient with or the ability to quickly learn payroll software.
• Ability to work successfully and collaboratively in a deadline-based environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and data integrity.

Qualifications Preferred:

• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification credential.
• Experience utilizing Munis
• Experience utilizing Harpers Payroll

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field of study.
• Two years of experience in accounting or bookkeeping with at least one year of experience in payroll preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of school district structure.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Harpers Payroll and X2.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Google Docs.

Reports To:

Director of Human Resources

Terms of Employment:

Twelve month work year. 

Salary:

This is an exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience and education.

The Everett Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.