Human Resources Specialist

We're looking for a motivated professional ready to support and grow our team while serving a vibrant, community-oriented organization.

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for coordinating payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely compensation, while also assisting with benefit administration and supporting recruitment efforts. Key duties include processing payroll, maintaining employee records related to compensation and benefits, coordinating benefit enrollments and changes, and assisting with talent acquisition. Reports to the Human Resources Manager.

Essential Functions

 

Payroll Administration:

• Processes a variety of transactions in the County’s Enterprise Resource System (Edmunds) related to personnel actions to ensure accurate and timely payroll compensation.

• Receives departmental requests for retroactive pay; calculates appropriate amounts based on verified personnel actions and enters data into the payroll system.

• Administers and maintains payroll deductions including tax liens, garnishments, and child support orders; ensures payroll is balanced and that tax payments to federal and state agencies are submitted electronically in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

• Works closely with Finance to ensure the accuracy, accountability, and appropriateness of all payroll transactions.

Benefits & Employee Support:

• Assists with preparing and facilitating New Employee Orientation.

• Supports recruitment processes and job description updates.

• Assists employees with benefit-related matters, including explaining benefit policies, coordinating claims, and helping complete benefit forms.

• Coordinates employee claims for short- and long-term disability with the disability carrier and the employee to ensure timely processing of benefit payments.

• Reconciles insurance and benefit invoices and monitors account transactions for accuracy and validity.

Policy, Compliance & Customer Service:

• Responds to routine employee inquiries regarding benefits, pay deductions, salary adjustments, and policies and procedures.

• Researches and resolves issues in accordance with government regulations and internal guidelines.

• Maintains knowledge of and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws affecting payroll and HR operations.

Administrative Support & Reporting:

• Performs administrative support duties such as verifying, compiling, and recording statistical and narrative information for reports and personnel records.

• Utilizes word processing and spreadsheet software to prepare correspondence and documentation.

• Maintains accurate and up-to-date personnel files and recordkeeping systems.

Confidentiality:

• Maintains the confidentiality and security of sensitive employee information across all HR functions, including payroll, benefits, and personnel records.

Other Duties:

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

Human Resources - Knowledge of general human resources regulations, policies and best practices. Knowledge of recruitment and selection procedures. 

Payroll - Thorough knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting payroll operations including HIPAA, FMLA, Workers Compensation, Pension, Medicare, Social Security, and DOL requirements.

Employee Benefits – Considerable knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements to include HIPAA, Section 125, Medicare, Social Security and Department of Labor requirements. Some knowledge of benefit contract language and plan designs.

Office Administration – Thorough knowledge of office systems, practices, procedures and administration. Knowledge of general office equipment and personal computers to include word processing, spreadsheet, and related software.

Customer Service — Considerable knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service. This includes setting and meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Critical Thinking – Uses logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate complex situations and research information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to the situation. 

Computer Skills – Utilizes a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, and related software to effectively complete a variety of administrative tasks with reasonable speed and accuracy. 

Time Management - Plans and organizes daily work routine. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Implements work activities in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.

REQUIRED ABILITIES

Communication – Ability to effectively communicate ideas and proposals verbally and in writing, to include the preparation of detailed reports which include numerical information and statistics. Ability to handle a variety of issues with tact and diplomacy and in a confidential manner. Ability to listen and understand information and ideas being presented verbally and in writing. 

Interpersonal Relationships – Ability to develops and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with employees at all levels and the public. Effectively responds to and resolves inquiries and disputes. 

Financial Management – Ability to perform difficult arithmetic, algebraic, and statistical applications to perform financial transactions. Ability to employ accounting principles and practices in the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Education, Training, and Experience

Associate’s degree in Business Management or a related field and 1-2 years of responsible experience working with related payroll and Human Resources programs, and recruitment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

An acceptable general background check, to include a local and state criminal history check, and a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record