Benefits & Payroll Specialist - HR Operations & Compliance

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

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.