Benefits and Payroll Specialist

Essential Employment Services, Inc; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Essential Employment Services, Inc. is seeking a Benefits & Payroll Specialist to administer employee benefits and payroll across multiple states, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing.

You will support enrollments, resolve payroll inquiries, and collaborate with HR, finance, and vendors to maintain records and improve processes. The role requires strong attention to detail, communication, and experience with HRIS and benefits platforms. Certification preferred.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in benefits administration, payroll processing, or a combination of both.
• Experience supporting employees across multiple states.
• Working knowledge of federal and state payroll, wage and hour, payroll tax, and employee benefits regulations.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration systems.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication, organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• HR, payroll, or benefits certification (such as SHRM, PHR, CPP, or CEBS) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), FSA/HSA, and voluntary benefits.
• Manage new hire benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, open enrollment, and benefit terminations.
• Process and support payroll activities, including reviewing timecards, verifying pay data, processing payroll changes, and ensuring accurate and timely payments.
• Review and reconcile payroll deductions, benefit contributions, and employee records to ensure accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state payroll and benefits regulations, including ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, wage and hour requirements, and payroll tax requirements.
• Maintain accurate employee benefits and payroll records within HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration systems.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee questions regarding benefits, payroll, deductions, and pay discrepancies.
• Partner with HR, finance, managers, brokers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators to resolve issues and maintain efficient processes.
• Audit payroll reports, benefits invoices, deductions, and employee data to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Support payroll tax reporting, year-end processing, benefits renewals, and required employee notices and documentation.
• Maintain the confidentiality of employee information and sensitive payroll and benefits data.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and benefits processes, documentation, and internal controls.
• Other related duties as necessary.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Analytical skills

Discretion

Multi-state payroll

Education

HR certification preferred

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

What You'll Do!

The Benefits & Payroll Specialist administers employee benefits and payroll processes across multiple U.S. states while ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations. This role supports employees with benefits enrollment, payroll inquiries, and related questions while partnering with HR, finance, and external vendors to maintain accurate employee records and timely payroll processing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), FSA/HSA, and voluntary benefits.
• Manage new hire benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, open enrollment, and benefit terminations.
• Process and support payroll activities, including reviewing timecards, verifying employee pay data, processing payroll changes, and ensuring accurate and timely payments.
• Review and reconcile payroll deductions, benefit contributions, and employee records to ensure accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state payroll and benefits regulations, including ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, wage and hour requirements, and applicable payroll tax requirements.
• Maintain accurate employee benefits and payroll records within HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration systems.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee questions regarding benefits, payroll, deductions, and pay discrepancies.
• Partner with HR, finance, managers, brokers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators to resolve issues and maintain efficient processes.
• Audit payroll reports, benefits invoices, deductions, and employee data to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Support payroll tax reporting, year-end processing, benefits renewals, and required employee notices and documentation.
• Maintain the confidentiality of employee information and sensitive payroll and benefits data.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and benefits processes, documentation, and internal controls.
• Other related duties as necessary

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in benefits administration, payroll processing, or a combination of both.
• Experience supporting employees across multiple states preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal and state payroll, wage and hour, payroll tax, and employee benefits regulations.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration systems.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication, organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• HR, payroll, or benefits certification (such as SHRM, PHR, CPP, or CEBS) preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer.
• Ability to communicate effectively by phone, video conference, and in person.
• Must be able to occasionally lift and carry up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to navigate multiple computer systems and standard office equipment.
• Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or employee events.
• Ability to maintain focus and accuracy while managing detailed information, multiple tasks, and deadlines.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The Company reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position as business needs require.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We provide equal access and opportunities to all individuals, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. As part of the Salary Transparency Act, we commit to equitable practices, including disclosing wage ranges in job postings and submitting required workforce data to the state to foster a truly inclusive workplace