Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Childrens Law Center • Washington, DC

15d • $65,000 - $81,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

As a member of the HIRED team, the Payroll and Benefits Specialist position is responsible for maintaining accurate employee benefit and payroll data, coordinating and processing bi-weekly payroll for over 100 employees. This position plays a key role in ensuring accurate and timely administration of payroll and employee benefits programs. This includes responding to employees’ payroll and benefits questions. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in payroll processing, benefits administration and HR systems and will have the proven ability to balance day-to-day operational deliverables with project work efficiently and professionally, ensuring strict confidentiality.

Requirements

• Four to seven years’ experience of leading payroll and benefits administration and processes.
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations, tax laws and benefit compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of U.S. state and federal wage and labor laws (EEOC, compensation FLMA, etc.), regulations, rules, policies and procedures.
• HRIS experience, preferably ADP Workforce Now.
• Uncompromising professional ethics and confidentiality.
• Experience with developing and implementing process improvements.
• Familiarity with commonly used concepts, practices, policies and federal and state regulations within HR fields.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a focus on continuously improving the employee experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a nonprofit environment a plus.
• A strong sense of accountability demonstrated by consistently prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines and achieve key objectives.
• A high level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create spreadsheets and tables to perform data analysis, gain insight and support decision making.
• Incredible attention to details – valuing accuracy over speed but possessing the ability to accomplish both.
• Proactively identifies process inefficiencies and implements improvements to increase productivity and accuracy.
• Problem solving skills, including the ability to identify issues and risks, link them to the bigger picture and take corrective actions to ensure alignment with organizational goals and/or policies.
• Self-directed and agile in completing tasks accurately and on time.
• Ability to exercise discretion and proactively communicate.
• Professional certification (FPC, CPP, CEBS).

Responsibilities

• Ensure HRIS (ADP Workforce Now) system is updated.
• Reconciliation of HRIS elections, paystubs and carrier invoices.
• Process bi-weekly payroll for Children’s Law Center.
• Process all applicable payroll deductions, garnishments, earnings and accruals.
• Handle payroll adjustments, retroactive pay and corrections.
• Partner with the Operations team to enhance payroll and HRIS processes.
• Monitor time and attendance as well as time off requests.
• Process annual compensation changes and bonuses.
• Assist with year-end payroll processing and system configurations.
• Create and distribute reports as needed.
• Assist with retrieving payroll information for annual audits.
• Create and maintain confidential and accurate employee and payroll files.
• Research and resolve tax issues related to payroll and benefits.
• Serve as the main point of contact for employee benefit inquiries.
• Serve as primary liaison with benefits brokers, benefits carriers and vendors to resolve issues and ensure accurate administration.
• Manage annual benefits open enrollment process.
• Prepare employee communications related to employee benefit administration.
• Conduct benefit audits, analysis and reconciliation.
• Follow procedures, guidelines and reporting to comply with all federal and state laws and regulatory requirements including FMLA, workers’ compensation, HIPAA, ADA, ACA, etc.
• Administer all employee benefit plans and process new hire enrollments and benefit changes, including processing terminations in HRIS and various benefit platforms.
• Prepare and distribute required benefits notices and communications (e.g., Summary Plan Descriptions, notices of COBRA rights, ACA, and DC Paid Family Leave notices).
• Calculate leave of absence payments, update leave tracking and process payments in payroll system.
• Track leave status changes, update systems and monitor compliance.
• Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and audit benefit deductions to ensure accuracy between payroll and carrier billing.
• Provide recommendations to and support wellness program activities.
• Maintain accurate electronic personnel files and employment records.
• Support onboarding and offboarding, including filing paperwork for new hires and terminations.
• Assist with quarterly and year-end audits related to payroll, retirement plans and workers’ compensation.
• Generate reports and data analysis for management and compliance needs.
• Ensure compliance with Federal and State laws.
• Participate in special projects and HR initiatives as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Children’s Law Center offers a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and short- and long-term disability insurance; employer-provided retirement contributions; flexible spending plans; and vacation, sick, holiday, family and medical leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed