Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Push Inc•Rice Lake, WI

About The Position

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of payroll, benefits, and related employee programs across PUSH and all affiliated divisions. This role serves as the primary owner of day-to-day payroll and benefits administration for the organization and plays a critical function in ensuring regulatory compliance, operational accuracy, employee education, and process optimization within a multi-state, multi-entity environment. PUSH is a privately owned premier communications and power utility contractor headquartered in Rice Lake, WI. who has been providing telecom infrastructure to connect people globally for over 50 years through its dedicated team members who have integrity and continually strive for excellence.

Requirements

Prior experience as a Payroll & Benefits Specialist, Accounting Specialist, or similar role.
Strong working knowledge of payroll processing, benefits administration, and multi-state tax compliance.
Proficiency with ADP and/or similar payroll and timekeeping systems.
Knowledge of federal and state wage and hour laws, taxes, deductions, garnishments, and benefit reporting.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (Excel, Word, Sheets).
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements.
Strong analytical, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with employees at all levels.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in the construction industry, including prevailing wage and seasonal workforce considerations, preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer timely and accurate payroll processing across all PUSH divisions in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, prevailing wage requirements, garnishments, wage assignments, and payroll tax regulations.
Investigate, resolve, and communicate payroll discrepancies, adjustments, off-cycle payrolls, and employee pay-related issues in a timely and professional manner.
Manage government payroll payments and filings, including federal, state, and local payroll taxes.
Establish and maintain state unemployment and withholding accounts for new or reactivated jurisdictions.
Execute and support payroll setup and compliance requirements for new states, new divisions, and organizational growth initiatives.
Support quarterly and year-end payroll reporting and filings.
Participate in and support payroll-related audits, including unemployment compensation and other regulatory reviews.
Complete verifications of employment and earnings related to payroll and benefits.
Participate in annual audits associated with the payroll function such as 401k and Unemployment Compensation.
Responsible for Prevailing Wage reporting.
Completes requests for verification of employment and earnings as it relates to payroll and benefits.
Administer employee benefit programs, including enrollments, terminations, and qualifying life event changes.
Oversee COBRA administration and ensure ongoing compliance.
Review, reconcile, and approve benefit vendor invoices.
Track employee deductions against benefit premiums and make necessary adjustments.
Support and deliver company-wide benefits education, enrollment support, and related training initiatives.
Support coordination with benefit vendors, brokers, and third-party administrators, including renewals, plan changes, escalations, and issue resolution.
Administer the Company’s 401(k) plan, including:
Automatic enrollment and eligibility tracking
Participant changes and record maintenance
Hardship and distribution documentation
Coordination with third-party administrators
Prepare and support annual compliance testing, audits, and reporting.
Assist with ERISA-related filings and documentation, including but not limited to:
Form 5500
Summary Annual Reports (SARs)
Section 125 plan reporting
Medicare notifications
ACA tracking and reporting
Utilize payroll and benefits systems to their full capabilities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and reduce non-value-added work.
Maintain payroll and benefits data integrity across systems while ensuring confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and data privacy requirements.
Perform data analysis and reporting to support operational improvements and informed decision-making.
Develop and maintain payroll and benefits process documentation to support continuity, cross-training, and operational resilience.
Provide payroll and benefits training and guidance to employees and managers, including new hire orientation, benefits enrollment support, and time reporting practices to support payroll accuracy and compliance.
Collaborate closely with Finance and HR partners to ensure accurate, consistent, and compliant employee payroll and benefits data.
Performs other duties as assigned.