Human Resource Specialist - Payroll

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (0 premium)

11 paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Dental and vision benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The South Dakota State Government seeks a Human Resource Specialist I to join the Shared Services Team. This role handles payroll actions, benefits inquiries, and HR data management while supporting multiple agencies statewide.

The position offers a full-time schedule, potential hybrid work after probation, and travel 1–2 times monthly during initial training. Ideal candidates will collaborate effectively in a team, demonstrate strong communication, and possess knowledge of payroll, HR policies,

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products and payroll concepts.
• Knowledge of HR policies, rules and employee records.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to work in teams and independently.

Responsibilities

• Process, maintain, and enter payroll actions in the payroll system with accuracy and timeliness.
• Maintain Time Keeping System (TKS) and ensure proper payroll processing.
• Answer questions from employees regarding health benefits and coordinate with Benefits Division.
• Maintain employees' personnel files in compliance with statutes and record retention policies.
• Maintain various HR reports and statistics for operations.
• Respond promptly to employee questions via phone, email, or Teams chat.
• Provide administrative support for the Bureau of Human Resources office.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Payroll concepts

HR policies

Communication

Teamwork

Multi-tasking

Analytical thinking

Tools

TKS payroll system

Job description

Location: Statewide within the State of SD; Pierre, SD is preferred.

Salary: $21.41-$26.75 Hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: G

Closing Date: 9/15/26

This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration. For more information on the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration, please visit https://www.sd.gov/bhra .

The South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration is seeking a Human Resource Specialist I to join the Shared Services Team!

This role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively across the State of South Dakota organization, supporting Shared Services activities throughout government bureaus and agencies. If you're a motivated individual who likes working in a great team environment, we encourage you to apply.

This position is with the Shared Services team and supports agencies by completing assigned human resources functions which benefit employees statewide. Areas of responsibility include timekeeping, payroll, personnel file management, family and medical leave act processing, workman's compensation processing, and providing current and accurate benefits information to staff. Additionally, this position will assist Agencies, Human Resources Manager and Human Resources Generalist with tasks associated with recruitment, hiring and termination procedures; assisting with compiling special reports; and conducting daily administrative support duties.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• process, maintain, and enter payroll actions into the payroll system and ensures timeliness and accuracy;
• maintain the Time Keeping System (TKS) and processes payroll to ensure proper and timely payment to employees in compliance with statutes;
• answer questions from employees regarding health benefits and works with Bureau of Human Resources Benefits Division to resolve issues for employees;
• maintain employees' personnel files in compliance with statutes and record retention policies;
• maintain various reports and statistics in regard to human resources operations;
• promptly reply to employee questions/concerns through various communication methods, such as telephone, email, and Teams chat; and,
• serve as the administrative support for the Bureau of Human Resources office.

The selected candidate will be required to work in a state office for the first 6 months of employment, with the possibility of hybrid work after a successful probationary period. Please note, if selected and located outside of Pierre, you will be required to work in Pierre 1-2 times per month for the first six months of employment for training purposes. Following the successful probationary period, travel to Pierre would be required 4-5 times per year.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

The ability to work and collaborate as part of a team, but also the initiative and work ethic to complete tasks independently. Excellent communication skills are a must.

Knowledge of:

• Microsoft office products;
• Business English including grammar, spelling and punctuation;
• human resource policies, rules, and regulations related to payroll, fringe benefits, compensation, insurance, flexible benefits, and employee records; and,
• payroll and compensation concepts.

Skill to:

• handle multiple priorities effectively;
• organize and coordinate activities and a variety of processes and data;
• communicate information concisely and efficiently;
• be highly motivated and self-starting.

Ability to:

• calculate solutions to arithmetic problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages;
• receive and verify accuracy of documents (e.g., invoices, deposits);
• research topics, compile and analyze data;
• exercise tact, patience, and discretion in communicating and dealing with persons of varying backgrounds and personalities;
• deal tactfully with employees and establish and maintain effective working relationships;
• multi-task;
• interpret, explain, and apply rules and procedures;
• maintain strict confidentiality.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here.

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'