Assistant Payroll and Benefits Support

BelovED Community & Empowerment Academy Charter Schools; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Empowerment Academy Charter School seeks an Assistant Payroll and Benefits Clerk to support payroll, benefits, and personnel records under the School Business Administrator. This is a non-instructional, non-certificated role in New Jersey.

The position covers semi-monthly payroll processing, confidential records, benefits enrollment, new-hire setup, data reconciliation, audits, and compliance with federal and NJ laws. Salary range is $60,000–$70,000.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1–2 years of experience in payroll processing, benefits administration, bookkeeping, or clerical work; school experience preferred.
• Proficiency with payroll/HRIS software and Microsoft Office; Paychex/ADP/Frontline/PowerSchool a plus.
• Strong attention to detail and confidentiality.
• Ability to pass NJ criminal history and CARI background checks.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparation and processing of semi-monthly payroll for all staff.
• Maintain confidential payroll and benefits records per policy and law.
• Assist enrollment and changes in health/dental/vision plans with vendors.
• Process new hire payroll and benefits setup, status changes, garnishments, and direct deposits.
• Reconcile payroll data with timekeeping, HRIS, and GL; resolve discrepancies.
• Prepare payroll tax filings, W-2s, and ACA reporting; ensure IRS/NJ compliance.
• Respond to employee pay and benefits inquiries with confidentiality.
• Track leave balances and compliance with NJ Earned Sick Leave, FMLA/NJFLA.
• Support audits, NJDOE and pension reporting with required documentation.
• Maintain confidentiality of financial and personnel information.

Skills

Payroll processing

Benefits administration

Recordkeeping

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Paychex

ADP

Frontline

PowerSchool

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Position Summary

Empowerment Academy Charter School is seeking a detail-oriented and reliable Assistant Payroll and Benefits Clerk to support the accurate and timely processing of employee payroll, benefits administration, and related personnel recordkeeping. Working under the direct supervision of the School Business Administrator, the Assistant Payroll and Benefits Clerk assists with the day-to day operations of the school's payroll and benefits functions, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and New Jersey state laws, New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) requirements, the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits, and school board policy. This is a non-instructional, non-certificated support staff position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation, processing, and review of semi-monthly payroll for all school employees, ensuring accuracy of hours, wages, deductions, and withholdings.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee payroll and benefits records in accordance with New Jersey recordkeeping requirements and the school's document retention policy.
• Assist employees with enrollment, changes, and terminations in health, dental, vision, and other benefit plans, including coordination with the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits (e.g., PERS/TPAF) and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP), as applicable.
• Process new hire payroll and benefits setup, employee status changes, garnishments, direct deposit authorizations, and voluntary deduction forms.
• Reconcile payroll and benefits data against timekeeping systems, HRIS records, and general ledger accounts; research and resolve discrepancies.
• Prepare and assist with quarterly and annual payroll tax filings and reporting (e.g., W-2s, ACA reporting) in compliance with the Internal Revenue Service, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and New Jersey Division of Taxation requirements.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, deductions, leave balances, and benefits in a professional and confidential manner.
• Assist with tracking employee leave balances, including earned sick leave accrued under the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law, FMLA/NJFLA leave, and other board-approved leave.
• Support internal and external audits, NJDOE reporting, and pension reporting by compiling requested payroll and benefits documentation.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee financial, medical, and personnel information in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
• Perform other related clerical and administrative duties as assigned by the School Business Administrator.

Salary $60,000-$70,000

1. High school diploma or equivalent required.
2. Minimum of one to two (1–2) years of experience in payroll processing, benefits administration, bookkeeping, or related clerical/accounting work; school district or charter school experience preferred.
3. Proficiency with payroll/HRIS software and Microsoft Office (particularly Excel); experience with systems such as Paychex, ADP, Frontline, or PowerSchool a plus.
4. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality.
5. Ability to successfully complete and clear a New Jersey criminal history background check and Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) clearance prior to employment, as required by law (see Compliance section below).

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in accounting, business administration, human resources, or a related field.
• Prior experience working in a New Jersey public school or charter school business office.
• Familiarity with the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits (PERS/TPAF), SEHBP, and New Jersey wage and hour law.

Charter schools ARE public schools. Our staff is part of the New Jersey Pension Fund, same as those at traditional public schools, and can transfer their pension credits from a traditional public school to our school and vice versa. Additional benefits include:

• Health Care Plan for Individual or Family (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development