Benefits and Payroll Coordinator-Higher Education Policy Commission-Kanawha Co.

State of West Virginia; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission seeks a Benefits and Payroll Coordinator to administer biweekly payroll, benefits, leave programs, onboarding, and related HR operations in Kanawha County. You will serve as a primary resource for employees and institutional partners on payroll, benefits, and HR processes.

Responsibilities include processing timecards, maintaining records, supporting open enrollment, assisting with onboarding, and providing responsive customer service.

Qualifications

• Associate degree plus 5 years of HR/payroll/benefits experience
• Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of HR/payroll/benefits experience
• Equivalent combinations may be considered per policy

Responsibilities

• Process biweekly payroll and review timecards for accuracy, approvals, leave usage, overtime, deductions.
• Maintain accurate payroll and employee records (new hires, status changes, compensation changes, DDI, taxes, deductions, terminations).
• Administer benefits and leave programs, including open enrollment; reconcile deductions.
• Coordinate onboarding activities and HRIS updates; provide benefits information.
• Respond to employee questions regarding payroll, benefits, leave, retirement, and related HR processes.
• Support purchasing card administration and related documentation.

Skills

Payroll processing

Timekeeping

Benefits administration

HRIS

Public sector experience

Open enrollment support

Education

Associate degree in HR / related field

Bachelor's degree in HR / related field

Tools

HRIS systems

Payroll software

Timekeeping systems

Job description

BENEFITS AND PAYROLL COORDINATOR-WEST VIRGINIA HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY COMMISSION-KANAWHA CO.

SALARY RANGE: $50,000 - $60,000

General Job Summary

The Benefits and Payroll Coordinator is responsible for the accurate and timely administration of biweekly payroll, timecard processing, employee benefits, leave programs, onboarding, employee engagement activities, and other human resources operations. The position serves as a primary resource for employees and institutional partners regarding payroll, benefits, leave, and related HR processes. The Benefits and Payroll Coordinator reviews and processes biweekly timecards and payroll, maintains accurate employee and payroll records, administers benefit and leave transactions, supports annual open enrollment, coordinates onboarding activities, and provides responsive customer service. The position also serves as a departmental purchase card holder and supports broader HR initiatives, institutional partners, and teammates as needed.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

Payroll, Benefits, and HR Operations - 50%

• Process biweekly payroll and review timecards for accuracy, approvals, leave usage, overtime, deductions, and other payroll-related information.
• Research and resolve payroll and timekeeping discrepancies before and after each payroll cycle.
• Maintain accurate payroll and employee records, including new hires, status changes, compensation changes, direct deposits, tax information, deductions, and terminations.
• Administer benefits, retirement plan transactions, and leave programs, including FMLA and other applicable leave requirements.
• Process benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, changes, and terminations; reconcile benefits deductions and related records.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, communications, presentations, and employee support.
• Support onboarding activities, including HRIS updates, required documentation, payroll setup, and benefits information.
• Respond to employee questions regarding payroll, benefits, leave, retirement, and related HR processes.
• Serve as purchase card holder and complete purchases, reconciliations, and required documentation in accordance with applicable policies.

Team and Organizational Support - 25%

• Provide administrative and operational support to teammates across HR functions.
• Support employee engagement activities, communications, events, surveys, and other employee experience initiatives.
• Prepare reports, forms, notices, presentations, and other HR materials.
• Serve as a liaison to institutional HR contacts, payroll and finance partners, benefit providers, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Assist with HR projects, audits, meetings, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Provide occasional assistance with recruitment activities as needed.
• Perform other related duties and support organizational priorities as assigned.

Best Practices, Compliance, and Institutional Partnership - 25%

• Maintain accurate, confidential, and audit-ready payroll, benefits, leave, onboarding, and employee records.
• Apply applicable laws, regulations, institutional policies, and established procedures to payroll and HR processes.
• Identify process gaps, recurring issues, and opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, consistency, and service.
• Develop and maintain procedures, checklists, reference materials, and other documentation.
• Monitor changes affecting payroll, benefits, leave, HR systems, and institutional practices.
• Support internal and external audits by validating information and providing required documentation.
• Build effective working relationships and provide consistent, solutions-oriented support to the institutions served.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

One of the following combinations is required:

• Associate degree in human resources, business administration, payroll, accounting, public administration, or a related field, plus five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in HR, payroll, benefits administration, or a related area; or
• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, payroll, accounting, public administration, or a related field, plus three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in HR, payroll, benefits administration, or a related area.

Equivalent combinations of education and directly related experience may be considered in accordance with applicable policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience independently processing biweekly payroll and reviewing timecards.
• Experience with payroll, HRIS, timekeeping, benefits, and leave systems.
• Experience in a public-sector, higher education, or similarly regulated environment.
• Experience administering PEIA or comparable public-sector benefits programs.
• Experience with retirement plans such as TIAA or comparable programs.
• Experience supporting open enrollment, employee communications, or engagement initiatives.
• Experience with purchase card administration, public procurement, or institutional purchasing requirements.
• Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, PHR, CPP, or a benefits-related credential.

Job not in the classified service. See the hiring agency for a description of benefits.