Payroll & Benefits Specialist

La Porte Independent School District; La Porte (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

La Porte Independent School District is seeking a Payroll & Benefits Specialist to streamline benefits administration and payroll processes for all employees. You will coordinate with benefits providers, handle inquiries, and maintain confidential records in a professional manner.

The role supports the Coordinator of Payroll & Benefits and CFO, ensuring timely enrollment, accurate payroll calculations, and compliance with COBRA, HIPAA, and ACA requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma.
• Two years of clerical experience, preferably in a public education environment.
• Experience in payroll and benefits preferred.
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish).

Responsibilities

• Administer employee benefit programs such as group health insurance, dental, life, and medical reimbursement.
• Handle employee benefit inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, and courteous resolution. Act as liaison between employees and insurance carrier's claims office and resolve administrative problems with insurance carrier representatives.
• Provide timely notice to employees under COBRA, HIPAA, and ACA regarding medical plans for all terminated employees and dependents.
• Assist with annual open enrollment process, including making group presentations and preparing, distributing, and receiving materials and forms.
• Process all employee benefit enrollment and change forms within required time limits to meet payroll deadlines.
• Calculate employee payrolls and reconcile all entries for payroll processing. Calculate and maintain employee, substitute and extra duty pay records.
• Distribute employee payroll deductions to appropriate vendors including child support, tax levies and annuities. Monitor all payroll edits and complete adjustments when appropriate.
• Maintain an accurate accounting of employee leaves including sick leave, personal leave, vacation, school-business leave, and non-duty records.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Organizational skills

Benefits laws and regulations

Payroll processes

Problem solving

Effective communication

Administration of employee benefits

Insurance information dissemination

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Position

Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Primary Purpose

Facilitate the efficient operation of employee benefits, coordinate with all benefits providers and administer benefits for all employees. Process payroll, perform reconciliations, and process employee changes efficiently while assisting the Coordinator of Payroll & Benefits. Handle confidential information and communicate professionally with employees, outside agencies and the general public.

Qualifications

Education/Certification:

• High school diploma

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel and Word
• Excellent organizational skills
• Knowledge of benefits laws and regulations
• Knowledge of payroll processes and regulations
• Ability to analyze problems and select proper corrective actions
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with others
• Knowledge of administration of employee benefits programs and applicable laws
• Ability to interpret and disseminate insurance and benefits information to individuals and groups

Experience:

• Two years of clerical experience, preferably in a public education environment
• Experience in payroll and benefits preferred
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish)

Major Responsibilities and Duties

• Administer employee benefit programs such as group health insurance, dental, life, and medical reimbursement.
• Handle employee benefit inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, and courteous resolution. Act as liaison between employees and insurance carrier's claims office and resolve administrative problems with insurance carrier representatives.
• Provide timely notice to employees under the requirements of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and Affordable Care Act (ACA) regarding medical plans for all terminated employees and dependents.
• Assist with annual open enrollment process, including making group presentations and preparing, distributing, and receiving materials and forms. Process all employee benefit enrollment and change forms within required time limits to meet payroll deadlines.
• Calculate employee payrolls and reconcile all entries for payroll processing. Calculate and maintain employee, substitute and extra duty pay records.
• Distribute employee payroll deductions to appropriate vendors including child support, tax levies and annuities. Monitor all payroll edits and complete adjustments when appropriate.
• Maintain an accurate accounting of employee leaves including sick leave, personal leave, vacation, school-business leave, and non-duty records.
• Assist with the CAT Leave requests from employees.
• Receive and answer inquiries from employees, supervisors, TRS, court orders, IRS and other entities. Includes problem solving and preparation of information requests.
• Gather and provide files for independent auditors upon request.
• Assist with Time Clock Plus - creating and maintaining employees, train and assist appropriate employees, campuses and departments with TCP when needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of information for the Payroll Office. Demonstrate cooperation by working effectively and harmoniously with co-workers, supervisors and employees.
• Demonstrate dependability by being punctual and attentive at work. Exhibit reliability by completing work on time and accurately.
• Comply with policies and procedures pertaining to job assignment. Demonstrate proper maintenance, care, storage and use of equipment and materials. Maintain proper safety and security precautions in preventing unnecessary or unreasonable risk of injury to self or others.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Coordinator of Payroll & Benefits and CFO.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals

Posture: Frequent walking, standing, bending/stooping, and reaching; occasional pushing/pulling and twisting

Motion: Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching

Lifting: Occasional light to moderate lifting and carrying (less than 44 pounds)

Environment: May work prolonged or irregular hours

Mental Demands: Ability to communicate effectively and professionally (verbal and written); ability to work with numbers; ability to meet established deadlines; ability to maintain accurate and auditable records; work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress.

Other Information

The district contributes $400/monthly to the cost of "employee-only" health insurance which is $175/monthly greater than the state required amount of $225/monthly.

Assignment: 12 Duty Months (240 days)

Compensation based on job-like experience

Location

La Porte Independent School District Business Office - La Porte, Texas

Job Details

Pay Grade: Paraprofessional, PG 7

Salary:

Minimum - $20.40/hr

Midpoint - $24.47/hr

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $20.40 to $28.54 Per Hour

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required