Payroll & Benefits Specialist
About The Position
The Payroll and Benefits Specialist ensures payroll and employee benefits for West Moberly First Nations are administered accurately, compliantly, and in a culturally grounded manner. This position reports to the Director of Finance, partnering closely with Human Resources (HR) to support employees throughout their employment. It requires strong payroll and benefits expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently within a First Nation governance and community context. The Specialist supports employees, HR, and leadership by maintaining payroll and benefits processes that are accurate, compliant, and easy to understand. This is a full-time (35 hours per week), in-person position requiring the successful candidate to be located at the lake, in Chetwynd or Hudson Hope areas. In addition, there is a robust RRSP program, a comprehensive benefits package, and, if needed, a relocation package. Enjoy our flexible work schedule with every other Friday off, plus two weeks of paid time off during Christmas and other cultural holidays. Immerse yourself in the vibrant West Moberly community and culture while advancing your creative career with us!
Requirements
- Post secondary education in Payroll, Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in Canadian payroll and benefits administration
- Strong working knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation, CRA requirements, and payroll compliance
- Demonstrated experience supporting complex or non-routine payroll and benefits matters
- Experience working closely with Finance and HR functions in a collaborative environment
- Experience responding to employee inquiries with professionalism, clarity, and sound judgement
- Experience with Microsoft Office
Nice To Haves
- Experience supporting or contributing to broader Finance functions, such as accounts payable or audit preparation, is an asset
- Experience working within a First Nation, Indigenous organization, public sector, or community-based employer is an asset
- Payroll certifications, including Canadian Payroll Association PCP, and benefits related certificates are considered assets but are not required
Responsibilities
- Provide senior level expertise on complex or escalated payroll and benefits issues
- Review payroll calculations, adjustments, exceptions, and year end items where complexity exists
- Support compliance with federal and provincial payroll legislation, CRA requirements, and audit expectations
- Serve as a senior point of contact for payroll and benefits inquiries from employees, Human Resources, and Finance
- Identify payroll or benefits risks, process gaps, and recommend practical improvements
- Support accounts payable and other Finance activities, including coding, review, reconciliation, and audit support
- Collaborate with HR on employee changes affecting payroll, benefits, or leave administration
- Support leave administration, including sick leave, parental leave, and disability related absences
- Contribute payroll and benefits expertise to policy development and continuous improvement initiatives
- Handle all employee and financial information with discretion, confidentiality, and cultural awareness
- Provide backup or overflow support during peak workload periods to ensure operational continuity
- Lead administration of group benefits and pension plans
- Respond to employee inquiries related to benefits coverage, eligibility, and claims
- Manage enrolments, life event changes, disability coordination, and terminations
- Liaise with benefits providers and plan administrators to resolve issues
- Ensure benefits administration aligns with policy, plan documents, and funding requirements
- Maintain accurate benefits records and reporting
- Provide on-site support focused on HR file management and administrative tasks that require a physical presence or local coordination.
- Support HR with onboarding and offboarding processes, including the collection, coordination, and secure handling of employment documentation
- Act as a visible and trusted onsite point of contact for employees seeking assistance with payroll, benefits, or HR administrative matters
- Receive and triage employee questions or concerns, escalating matters to HR , the Director of Finance, or leadership through appropriate governance channels
- Support respectful communication between employees, HR, Finance, and leadership, in alignment with West Moberly governance practices
- Assist with scheduling and coordination for HR meetings, training, or employee related processes that occur onsite or within the community
- Ensure employment related records are handled securely and in a manner that respects confidentiality, community relationships, and cultural protocols
- Conduct all interactions with cultural awareness, discretion, and respect for leadership, Elders, and community processes
Benefits
- Robust RRSP program
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Relocation package (if needed)
- Flexible work schedule with every other Friday off
- Two weeks of paid time off during Christmas
- Paid time off for other cultural holidays
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Associate degree
