Payroll & Human Resources Specialist

Capital Area Transit System (CATS); Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Part time

Job summary

Capital Area Transit System (CATS) is seeking a part-time Payroll & Human Resources Specialist to manage payroll in partnership with Finance and the payroll vendor, ensure accurate and timely payments, and provide HR support.

Responsibilities include payroll processing, leave and benefits administration, HRIS data maintenance, W-2 preparation, and compliance with FLSA, IRS, and state regulations. The role collaborates with managers across departments and values confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Accounting, Business Admin, HR, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum of three years of payroll administration experience.
• Experience with multi-department payroll, audits, and corrections.
• HRIS/payroll systems and payroll reporting experience.
• Leave administration and employee records management experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and process biweekly payroll with Finance and payroll vendor.
• Audit time records for accuracy and completeness.
• Process payroll adjustments, corrections, and retroactive payments.
• Review payroll registers and verify earnings codes, leave balances, premiums, and deductions.
• Assist with year-end payroll processing, W-2 preparation, and payroll audits.
• Support HR tasks: employee records, benefits enrollment, and leave administration.

Skills

Payroll administration

FLSA compliance

HRIS

Payroll auditing

Excel

Timekeeping systems

Payroll reporting

Benefits deductions

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/HR related field

Tools

HRIS/payroll software

Netchex

Job description

Position Summary

Payroll & Human Resources Specialist (Part-Time) is responsible for coordinating and administering the Agency's payroll process while providing limited human resources support functions. This position serves as the Human Resources Department's payroll subject matter expert and is responsible for ensuring employees are paid accurately and timely in accordance with federal and state wage and hour laws, Agency policies, collective bargaining agreements, and established payroll procedures. The position works closely with Finance, Operations, department managers, and the Agency's payroll vendor to process payroll, research and resolve discrepancies, process payroll corrections, maintain payroll records, and ensure compliance with applicable regulations. In addition to payroll administration, the position provides support for employee records, benefits administration, leave administration, and other human resources activities as assigned.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Payroll Administration (Approximately 80%)

• Coordinate and process biweekly payroll in partnership with Finance and the Agency's payroll vendor.
• Audit employee time records for accuracy and completeness.
• Process payroll adjustments, corrections, supplemental payrolls, and retroactive payments.
• Review payroll registers and exception reports.
• Verify earnings codes, leave balances, premiums, differentials, overtime, and deductions.
• Process leave payouts, final pay calculations, and other special payroll transactions.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Respond to employee payroll questions and concerns.
• Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation.
• Ensure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), IRS regulations, Louisiana wage payment laws, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Coordinate payroll activities with Human Resources, Finance, and department managers.
• Assist with year-end payroll processing, W-2 preparation, and payroll audits.
• Recommend improvements to payroll processes and internal controls.
• Maintain confidentiality of payroll and personnel information.

Human Resources Support (Approximately 20%)

• Maintain employee personnel files and payroll records.
• Process new hire, transfer, promotion, and separation documentation affecting payroll.
• Assist with benefits enrollment and payroll deductions.
• Process employee status changes within the HRIS.
• Assist with leave administration, including FMLA and Workers' Compensation tracking.
• Prepare employment verification requests.
• Assist with HR compliance reporting.
• Support recruiting and onboarding activities as needed.
• Provide general HR customer service to employees.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelors degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, Finance, or a closely related field.

Experience

Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible payroll administration experience.

Experience should include:

• Processing multi-department payroll
• Payroll audits and corrections
• HRIS/payroll systems
• Payroll reporting
• Leave administration
• Employee records management

Experience in a unionized, public sector, or transit environment is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Payroll administration
• FLSA and wage and hour regulations
• Payroll taxes and reporting
• Timekeeping systems
• Payroll auditing
• Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)
• Microsoft Excel and payroll software
• Employee benefits deductions
• Collective bargaining agreements

Ability to

• Maintain strict confidentiality.
• Analyze and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Interpret Agency policies and labor agreements.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Prioritize competing deadlines.
• Communicate effectively with employees, managers, and vendors.
• Exercise sound judgment and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
• Experience with Netchex or similar HRIS/payroll systems
• Experience processing payroll for 150+ employees
• Public transit or government payroll experience
• Knowledge of DOT/FTA employment requirements