Benefits & Payroll Specialist

Sylvania; Canyon (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Sylvania in Canyon, Texas is looking for a Payroll and Benefits Specialist to provide support in payroll services and customer service for employee benefits. This role focuses on ensuring accurate payroll processing, maintaining records, and helping with the implementation of a comprehensive wellness program.

The ideal candidate should have 2-5 years of experience in payroll and benefits, a high school diploma or GED, and strong skills in Excel. A Bachelor's Degree in a related field is preferred.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years payroll accounting and/or benefits experience.
• Must be proficient with Excel and possess strong organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Calculate, process, and audit district payroll for accuracy.
• Provide customer service regarding health and supplemental benefits.
• Prepare and submit payroll reports and forms as required.

Skills

Knowledge of basic payroll accounting procedures

Knowledge of basic health and supplemental benefits

Ability to maintain accurate and auditable records

Adept at learning different software and programs

Proficiency in keyboarding and file maintenance

Ability to work with numbers accurately

Highly skilled in Excel (V-lookups)

Effective organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's Degree in accounting or human resources, preferred

Job description

Primary Purpose

Provide support, data preparation and verification, and customer services in payroll services, health and supplemental benefits, workers compensation, and unemployment. Work under moderate supervision to ensure accurate and timely preparation of records needed by Payroll Coordinator. Work in collaboration with CFO and Director of Finance to create, communicate, and implement a new comprehensive wellness program for CISD staff.

Education/Certification

• High school diploma or GED
• Bachelor's Degree in accounting or human resources, preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of basic payroll accounting procedures
• Knowledge of basic health and supplemental benefits
• Ability to maintain accurate and auditable records
• Adept at learning many different softwares and programs and adapting to specific requirements
• Proficiency in keyboarding and file maintenance
• Ability to work with numbers in accurate and rapid manner to meet established deadlines
• Highly skilled in Excel, capable of using V-lookups
• Effective organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Experience

• 2-5 years payroll accounting and/or benefits experience

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Payroll & Benefits

1. Calculate, process and audit district payroll for accuracy and distribution to employees following established procedures.
2. Receive and audit timesheets for all district employees. Calculate employee wages, salaries, hours worked, overtime pay, and determine withholdings, deductions, and net pay.
3. Balance payroll earnings and deductions; initiate related transfers of funds and deposits.
4. Maintain district payroll registers and employee payroll information in an orderly and accurate manner in accordance with state, federal, and district requirements.
5. New employee onboarding
6. Provide customer service regarding all health and supplemental benefits (including answering questions, helping establish care, replacing insurance cards, providing third party contact information, providing instructions on how to access benefits, and troubleshooting)
7. Open enrollment details (including planning, communications, and questions)
8. COBRA letters
9. Actively monitor staff benefits (including life events, eligibility requirements, dependent enrollment, etc.)

Data Entry

1. Update payroll calculations based on changes made to payroll deductions, salary changes, termination and new employee information.
2. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents as required including maintaining payroll and related files such as payroll records, absent-from-duty reports.
3. Prepare and submit payroll reports and forms including those required by Internal Revenue Service, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Retirement System, Federal Insurance Contributors’ Act (FICA), Medicare, Texas New Hire Reporting, and Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Other

1. Work cooperatively with the human resource department, principals, department heads, campus and department secretaries, and employees to ensure accuracy of information reported. Resolve payroll and benefits problems and inquiries.
2. Respond to requests from financial institutions regarding verification of employment.
3. Maintain confidentiality of information.
4. Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None.

Mental Demands / Physical Demands / Environmental Factors

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
• Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
• Motion: Repetitive hand motions; frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching
• Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
• Environment: May work prolonged or irregular hours
• Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions to meet established deadlines; maintain emotional control under stress