Hybrid Payroll & Total Rewards Specialist

at Animal Humane Society

• Job title: Payroll & Total Rewards Specialist
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Junior, Mid level
• Salary: $65,000 - $75,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Associate's Degree
• Tech skills: C++
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Golden Valley, United States

About the role

• Payroll & Total Rewards Specialist managing payroll and total rewards programs at Animal Humane Society. Responsible for payroll processing, benefits administration, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Responsibilities

• Process timely and accurate biweekly payrolls by managing payroll data including new hires, terminations, and pay/benefit changes, reviewing timecards, and calculating wages.
• Process supplemental and off-cycle payrolls such as bonuses, corrections, and separations.
• Maintain current documented procedures for payroll activities.
• Maintain and update employee records, including tax information and other payroll-related data.
• Monitor payroll inbox, respond to inquiries and resolve issues related to timecards and payroll.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, including taxes and withholdings.
• Manage 401(k) activities and interact with 401(k) provider to ensure proper handling of employee payroll contributions, loan repayments, and contribution changes.
• Recommend and implement efficiencies to improve payroll processing and employee satisfaction.
• Identify and implement process modifications based on changes in rules, regulations, and emerging issues and trends.
• Research and assist in reconciling vendor statements.
• Support internal and external audits and preparation of work papers.
• Respond to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
• Ensure the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information.
• Perform audits of benefits-related data.
• Distribute all benefits enrollment materials and determine eligibility.
• Assist with the open enrollment process.
• Enroll employees with carriers and process life status changes.
• Assist employees regarding benefits claim issues and plan changes.
• Respond to 401(k) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts. Manage the annual catch-up contribution enrollment.
• Coordinate workers’ compensation claims with third-party administrator. Follow up on claims.
• Process and administer all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork, including but not limited to FMLA, PFML, Parental, disability, bereavement and unpaid.
• Effectively interpret and ensure compliance with FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences/disabilities.
• Administer COBRA.
• Administer the tuition reimbursement program.
• Provide necessary reports for allocation/billing charges.
• Communicate in a positive and professional manner with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Promote the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ensuring that Animal Humane Society is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff, volunteers and community members.
• Utilize HRIS software for payroll operations, accurate record keeping and generating reports.
• Maintain vendor portals for accurate benefit enrollment, record keeping, invoice tracking and payments and procuring necessary reports and data.
• Monitor AHS email and other messaging software.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 2+ years of experience with payroll processing and accounting required.
• 2+ years of experience with benefits administration and/or HR generalist required.
• Associates degree in HR or related field, but experience and/or other training/certification, such as FPC or CPP, may be substituted for the education.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills and attention to detail skills.
• Strong understanding of federal and state payroll tax regulations.
• Strong knowledge of benefit leaves laws.
• Strong administrative and process management skills.
• Strong multi-tasking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Proficient with HRIS systems and/or payroll software.
• Proficient with computers, specifically a working knowledge of Microsoft products.
• Reliable transportation required.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage for full time staff includes medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account for health care expenses and dependent care, voluntary accident insurance; critical illness insurance; hospital indemnity insurance; employee-paid supplemental life; employee-paid accidental death & dismemberment; and long term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid benefits for full time staff includes basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability.
• Support for student loans: we are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer
• Mental Health and Counseling Support: all employees have access to our Employee Assistance Program with 3 free counseling sessions per year
• 401(K) for part-time and full-time staff
• Nine paid holidays for full-time staff
• Paid floating holidays for part-time and full-time staff (up to 4 days per year based on start date)
• Paid Time Off for part time and full time staff (amount is based on hours worked and FTE status)
• Paid parent leave for full-time staff