Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Gulf Shores, City of•Gulf Shores City Hall, AL

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs professional and technical tasks to prepare payroll, coordinate and process the City’s employee benefit programs, and maintain employee data and payroll records. The role supports payroll and benefits administration, employee inquiries, financial reporting, and related Human Resources and accounting operations. The position processes payroll using payroll software and supports the NeoGov HRIS to maintain accurate employee data. It administers benefit enrollments and changes, assists employees with retirement benefits, and provides information about COBRA procedures to employees leaving City employment. It also reconciles payroll data and accounting records, prepares reports on payroll costs and benefits, and assists with governmental or nonprofit accounting tasks. Additional duties include conducting new-employee benefits presentations, coordinating the annual Benefit Fair and benefit vendors, maintaining leave balances in the time and attendance system, and providing administrative and reception coverage when needed. The position uses general office equipment.

Requirements

Associate-level degree in Accounting, Human Resources Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Two to three years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Ability to perform payroll, benefits, employee-data, and payroll-record maintenance duties.
Desirable: State of Alabama Public Notary certification.

Nice To Haves

State of Alabama Public Notary certification.

Responsibilities

Process payroll accurately using payroll software such as NeoGov, Tyler ERP, Gorrie Regan/AOD, or equivalent systems.
Administer employee benefits, including enrollments, changes, terminations, and compliance with applicable regulations.
Process new employee benefit enrollments and enter new-hire information into software.
Inform employees leaving City employment about COBRA procedures, including mailing notices of terminated coverage.
Conduct benefits presentations for new employees and assist employees with retirement-benefit enrollment.
Reconcile payroll data with accounting records and prepare journal entries.
Maintain knowledge of tax regulations and ensure payroll deductions are correctly applied for federal, state, and local taxes.
Enter payroll and benefits information accurately using accounting software and support NeoGov HRIS employee-data maintenance.
Collaborate with the accounting team on accounts payable and receivable related to payroll expenses and benefit payments.
Audit payroll records regularly for accuracy and compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
Assist with governmental or nonprofit accounting requirements, including general-ledger reconciliation and financial-report analysis.
Prepare salary and benefit data and reports on payroll costs, benefits utilization, and other financial metrics for management review.
Respond to employee questions about benefits and resolve payroll discrepancies in a positive and helpful manner.
Record payroll and benefits transactions in accordance with double-entry bookkeeping principles, including debits and credits.
Plan the annual Benefit Fair, coordinate with benefit vendors, and arrange employee lunch.
Solicit benefit providers for competitive rates.
Create employee identification cards when the Administrative Assistant is absent.
Perform receptionist duties when the relevant staff member is absent.
Provide administrative support to the Human Resources Officer.
Calculate and update monthly leave balances in the time and attendance software.
Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and seminars.
Perform other related duties as assigned.