Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Plains•Brookings, SD

2d•$46,000 - $48,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is a technical HR professional responsible for the independent and accurate execution of payroll processing, benefits administration, and leave coordination for the organization. Reporting to the HR Director, this position exercises independent judgment in applying federal and South Dakota state wage, benefits, and leave laws, identifying and resolving payroll discrepancies, interpreting compliance requirements under ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and ADA, and managing employee benefits issue resolution. These payroll, benefits, and leave functions constitute the primary duty of this role. On a secondary basis, this position provides HR administrative support as directed by the HR Director. The Payroll and Benefits Specialist upholds Club values of teamwork, impact-driven work, excellence, and good character.

Requirements

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2 to 4 years of experience in payroll, benefits administration, or HR support preferred.
Knowledge of federal and South Dakota state employment and wage laws.
Proficiency with payroll and HRIS systems such as ADP, Paychex, Paylocity, or BambooHR.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and recordkeeping.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information.
Effective communication and customer service skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Strong alignment with the Club mission and values.
Successful completion of a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment, consistent with BGCA national standards and our commitment to youth safety.

Nice To Haves

HR or payroll certification such as PHR, SHRM-CP, or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
Experience working in a nonprofit or youth-serving organization.
Familiarity with nonprofit funding structures and grant-related payroll allocations.
Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

Process end-to-end payroll accurately and on schedule for all staff.
Review and verify payroll data, including hours, earnings, deductions, and grant-funding allocations.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage laws.
Reconcile payroll data in coordination with Finance and resolve discrepancies promptly.
Maintain payroll records and support audit readiness in coordination with the HR Director.
Respond to payroll-related questions from staff promptly and professionally.
Conduct internal payroll audits and identify and resolve discrepancies independently, escalating material issues to the HR Director.
Coordinate employee benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations.
Assist employees with benefits questions and issue resolution.
Communicate directly with benefits providers to resolve concerns and ensure accurate coverage.
Support open enrollment processes and distribute benefit information to all staff.
Assist with compliance tracking related to ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA.
Process and track employee leave requests including FMLA, ADA accommodations, and other leave types.
Provide guidance to employees and supervisors on leave procedures in coordination with the HR Director.
Maintain accurate leave records and coordinate with payroll for proper tracking.
Maintain accurate and confidential employee records in Human Resources Information System (HRIS) platforms.
Assist with offboarding processes, including final pay coordination and benefits termination.
Support recruitment coordination on an occasional basis as directed by the HR Director, including scheduling interviews or preparing offer letters.
Assist with onboarding documentation and I-9 verification on an as-needed basis.
Provide general HR reporting and compliance documentation support to the HR Director as needed.
Provide brief front desk backup coverage on an occasional basis when both the HR Assistant and primary front desk staff are unavailable.
Ensure HR and payroll records meet federal and state recordkeeping requirements.
Support compliance with grant-related HR documentation requirements as directed by the HR Director.
Maintain confidentiality of all employee and payroll data in accordance with organizational policy and applicable law.
As required by South Dakota law (SDCL 26-8A-3) and BGCA national standards, this position carries mandatory reporting obligations for suspected child abuse or neglect.