Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Mid Valley Disposal & Transfer

About The Position

We are a family-owned organization that believes taking care of our employees starts with getting the details right. We’re looking for an experienced Payroll & Benefits Specialist who brings deep California payroll knowledge, a passion for compliance, and a people-first mindset. This is a trusted, independent role for a subject-matter expert who enjoys owning their work, partnering closely with HR leadership, and supporting employees with accuracy, care, and professionalism.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required
5+ years of progressive payroll and benefits administration experience
Strong knowledge of California payroll, benefits, and employment laws
ACA compliance and 1095-C reporting experience
Proficiency with ADP Workforce Now (required)
Advanced skills in Office 365, especially Excel
Payroll and benefits audits and reconciliations
Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
Ability to manage competing priorities with minimal supervision
Clear, professional written and verbal communication
Bilingual Spanish (verbal and written) required

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field preferred
CPP, FPC, CEBS, or LOA certification preferred
Experience in a compliance-driven or multi-faceted environment preferred
DOT compliance knowledge preferred

Responsibilities

Independently process bi-weekly payroll for approximately 450 California employees using ADP Workforce Now
Manage payroll actions including new hires, terminations, final pay, garnishments, tax filings, benefit deductions, pay rate changes, and transfers
Administer and audit PTO accruals, balances, and usage
Ensure all employee separations are processed accurately and timely
Lead year-end payroll activities, including W-2 and 1095-C processing
Serve as the primary contact for ACA reporting and employee inquiries
Create payroll and HRIS reports to support audits, leadership, and compliance
Recommend payroll policies and process improvements to strengthen controls and accuracy
Serve as the benefits subject matter expert for medical, dental, vision, life, disability, accident, retirement, FSA/DCAP, and EAP programs
Manage benefit enrollments for new hires, life events, open enrollment, and terminations
Resolve employee benefit questions independently and coordinate escalated issues with carriers and brokers
Audit monthly benefit invoices to ensure accurate deductions and enrollments
Coordinate annual open enrollment, census reporting, and employee communications
Prepare and facilitate employee benefits meetings and informational sessions
Administer FMLA, CFRA, and other leaves of absence
Provide documentation, collect medical certifications, track leave usage, and maintain LOA calendars
Coordinate benefit continuation and premium payments during leaves
Respond to EDD Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave claims
Partner with HR leadership and managers to ensure compliance and timely communication
Maintain employee records in accordance with legal and company requirements
Respond to employment verifications and government correspondence (EDD, SDI, audits)
Complete required regulatory reporting, including ACA, EEO-1, CA Pay Data, OWES, BLS, and 401(k)
Maintain the highest level of confidentiality and data integrity at all times
Partner closely with Talent Acquisition to ensure accurate payroll, benefits, and HRIS setup for new hires
Cross-train with HR team members to support department coverage
Serve as an HR ambassador by clearly communicating policies and best practices
Support HR projects and initiatives as needed