Benefits and Payroll Specialist

Canon City Schools•Canon City, CO

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Benefits and Payroll Specialist performs critical accounting applications for the District, including its Charter School, and is responsible for District payroll record keeping. Under the direct supervision of the Lead Benefits and Payroll Specialist and Accounting Manager, the specialist assists with accounting functions, particularly the complete payroll process, payroll rollover, and budgeting preparation. The role also performs duties assigned by the Director of Business Services/CFO and Accounting/Payroll Manager. The specialist runs monthly payroll; processes employee time sheets, personnel activity forms, leave records, payroll deductions, benefits, garnishments, and payroll expense invoices; and verifies payroll setup, insurance coverage, employment records, and budget coding. The role supports new-employee benefit orientations and enrollment, responds to employee payroll and benefits questions, and handles retirement, tax, year-end, and recurring payroll reports and procedures for both the District and Charter School. It also provides backup support for COBRA information and payment processing.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Experience with computerized double-entry bookkeeping systems for small- to medium-sized entities.
Direct experience with payroll, benefits administration, general accounting, and related clerical duties.
Experience processing court orders, garnishments, employee status research, and third-party check distribution.
Ability to operate personal computers and Microsoft Word and Excel; proficiency in data entry, typing, ten-key/calculator operation, and modern office practices for rapid, accurate calculations.
Knowledge of accounting principles, methods, practices, and techniques for recording and interpreting financial and statistical data.
General knowledge of payroll laws, auditing principles, School Board Policies, FLSA, and Federal Income Tax laws.
Ability to perform detailed work with written or numerical data, including posting, calculating, auditing, and verifying accuracy.
Ability to apply accounting principles to fiscal records, fiscal reports, and data processing.
Ability to analyze and resolve payroll discrepancies.
Ability to maintain positive, professional working relationships with colleagues, staff, departmental personnel, and the public, in person and by telephone.
Demonstrated reliability, knowledge of job duties, focus, and ability to produce high-quality work.
Ability to maintain a neat, professional appearance and a clean, professional work area, and to model and uphold the District's Mission and Belief Statements.
Must qualify for the District's fidelity bonding requirements.
Must pass a criminal background check as a condition of hire.
Character and social capability to relate effectively with staff and the public, and ability to work with a wide variety of community groups and organizations.
Working knowledge of laws related to school accounting and grant accounting.
Demonstrated ability to resolve conflict and present information effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to use technology as directed by the District to communicate and function effectively.
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and pass a pre-employment physical.
Must be able to work in person.

Nice To Haves

Post-secondary accounting education or equivalent experience.
Bookkeeping, payroll, or accounting experience.
Colorado driver's license.
Familiarity with accounting software, especially Infinite Visions.
Experience with Workers' Compensation claim reporting and processing.
Notary Public certification.

Responsibilities

Assist with accounting functions, including the full payroll process, payroll rollover, and budgeting preparation.
Run each month's payroll.
Accumulate, compute, and enter time sheets for classified and licensed employees, substitutes, tutors, and Charter School employees.
Accumulate, compute, and enter Personnel Activity Forms, and check data entry against reports.
Monitor licensed substitute time slips to ensure the correct pay level and payroll account codes.
Maintain employee leave records, including sick, vacation, personal, and annual leave accruals and usage.
Process employee medical, dental, vision, life, PERA, and other benefits.
Reconcile and pay payroll expense invoices.
Verify new employee payroll setup and insurance coverage and employment records.
Conduct benefit orientations for eligible new employees, distribute enrollment information, and enter and update insurance data changes.
Respond to employee inquiries about salaries, insurance, and other payroll deductions.
Distribute salaries to the correct budget codes and calculate earnings for approved salary schedules and Charter School disbursement sheets.
Complete year-end closing and prepare W-2s for the District and Charter School.
Provide payroll and payroll-payables wire transfer information to the Accounting/Payroll Manager.
Process garnishments and follow applicable government and Colorado PERA rules and regulations.
Prepare employee retirement forms, including the PERA Final Six Months' Salary Report.
Prepare and submit monthly State and Federal payroll tax reports for the District and Charter School.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, including PERA, W-2, unemployment, and JROTC reimbursement reports.
Enter new medical, dental, vision, and life insurance rate structures; process sick leave and annual leave conversions and annual union dues changes.
Complete payroll procedures for new fiscal years and end-of-calendar-year payroll.
Provide backup to the Business Services Secretary for COBRA information and medical, dental, and vision payment processing.
Perform other duties as directed by the Accounting/Payroll Manager and Director of Business Services.