Benefits Specialist

Kids for the Future; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) seeks a Benefits & Payroll Specialist to ensure accurate execution and employee support for benefits and payroll, serving as a connector between employees, vendors, finance and HR.

This role focuses on coordination, compliance, and employee service rather than direct payroll processing, working within a unionized environment as part of the HR team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Three to five years of experience in benefits administration and payroll support.
• General accounting knowledge including journal entries and reconciliations.
• Experience supporting benefits administration and payroll in a unionized environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administers employee benefits programs and enrollment, changes, and vendor management.
• Serve as primary contact for benefits inquiries and payroll-related questions.
• Support payroll processing by maintaining data, auditing reports, and reconciling discrepancies.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities and compliance reporting (ACA, COBRA).
• Manage payroll/benefits for new hires, terminations, and pay changes with accuracy.

Skills

Payroll processing

Benefits administration

HRIS & payroll systems

Excel

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business/Finance

Tools

UKG

Excel

Job description

• Location 620 Cherry Street,Des Moines, IA, 50309,United States
• Employee Type Admin FT - Exempt

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is the largest public transit agency in Iowa. DART provides transportation anyone can access through services that include 11 Bus Routes, Paratransit, and On Demand. Resources support those who vanpool, walk or bike to move through the region in an efficient and affordable way. Services connect thousands of people every day to jobs, school, medical appointments, entertainment and more.

Position Summary

The DART Benefits & Payroll Specialist ensures accurate execution and employee support for benefits and payroll processes while providing operational support across core HR functions. This role focuses on coordination, compliance, and employee service rather than direct payroll processing, and serves as a key connector between employees, vendors, finance, and the HR team.

Salary Range: $65,300 – $80,000

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Benefits & Payroll Administration

• Administers employee benefits programs, including enrollment, changes, leave coordination, vendor management, and employee communications, ensuring compliance and effective program administration
• Serve as the primary point of contact for benefits inquiries and provide support for payroll-related questions, issue resolution, and employee assistance
• Support payroll processing activities by maintaining accurate payroll and benefits data, auditing reports, reconciling discrepancies, and coordinating with Finance and payroll administration staff
• Support administration of FMLA, disability programs, leaves of absence, deferred compensation, IPERS, FSA, HSA, and other employee benefit programs
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, benefits communications, vendor reporting, insurance reconciliations, year-end reporting, and compliance requirements including ACA and COBRA
• Manage payroll and benefit enrollments or changes for new hires, terminations, and pay changes with precision and timeliness
• Evaluate benefits processes and plan administration to support operational efficiency, compliance, and cost containment strategies
• Maintain benefits and payroll-related documentation and provide compensation and benefits data to support budgeting, reporting, and labor negotiations
• Generate monthly vendor reports and reconcile monthly insurance billings

Compensation Responsibilities

• Conduct market pricing and salary benchmarking studies
• Analyze internal pay equity and recommend adjustments
• Maintain salary structures, pay grades and job classifications
• Support annual merit and incentive planning processes
• Maintain updated compensation policies and ensure compliance with policies

HR Operations & Team Support

• Provides operational support across HR functions, including onboarding, offboarding, personnel records, and HRIS maintenance
• Assists with HR audits, data reporting, and documentation to support compliance and decision making
• Supports recruiting and hiring logistics, as needed
• Assists with policy administration and updating, employee communications, and special HR projects as needed
• Delivers timely, accurate, and customer focused HR service to employees and leaders
• Identifies opportunities to streamline HR processes and improve employee experience
• Maintains confidentiality and compliance with all applicable laws, policies, and collective bargaining agreements

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field required; equivalent relevant experience may be considered
• Three to five years of experience in benefits administration and payroll support
• General Accounting knowledge (journal entries, bank statement debits and credits, and reconciliations)
• Experience supporting benefits administration and payroll in a unionized environment preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of payroll fundamentals and wage and hour regulations
• Experience administering benefit plans
• Proficiency with HRIS/payroll systems, experience with UKG preferred, and Microsoft Excel
• Knowledge of payroll taxes, compliance regulations, and employee benefits laws (COBRA, HIPAA)
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain confidentiality
• SHRM-CP, CBP, or similar certification preferred

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibility and may provide functional leadership or project coordination as needed.

Physical Demands

This position requires prolonged periods of sitting, frequent computer use, effective verbal communication, and occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds unless otherwise noted.

Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment. Depending on the position, occasional travel, field work, evenings, or exposure to outdoor conditions may be required.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. DART reserves the right to revise or assign additional duties as business needs require.