Position Summary:

The Human Resource (HR) Specialist provides operational support in the areas of benefits administration, COBRA, compensation, payroll, leave of absences, worker's compensation, unemployment, reporting, auditing, etc. Maintains and enters payroll data into HRIS systems. Assists with complex and specialized administrative tasks including, managing and overseeing records, and generating reports.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the administration of employee benefits - medical, dental, vision, supplemental plans, life insurance, short-term/long-term disability, flex plans, EAP, 401(K) etc.
• Distributes all benefit enrollment materials and determines eligibility.
• Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors/carriers/brokers with accurate eligibility information.
• Assists employees regarding benefit claim issues and plan changes.
• Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
• Plans and supports company-wide information meetings such as open enrollment, new hire orientation, and meetings to announce or discuss changes in retirement or benefits plans.
• Assists with the open enrollment process.
• Performs quality checks of benefits-related data.
• Processes and administers all leave-of-absence requests in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Effectively interprets FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences/disabilities.
• Payroll administrator responsibilities.
• Enters, maintains, and/or processes information in the payroll system; information may include employees’ hourly rates, salaries, commissions, bonuses or other compensation, time worked, paid leave and holidays, deductions and withholding, address changes, and other information.
• Ensures proper processing of payroll deductions for taxes, benefits, charitable contributions, and other deductions.
• Maintains employee records, ensuring completion and accuracy of details such as employee contact information, job classification, pay rates, organizational structure, and other key details.
• Performs administrative and recordkeeping tasks related to staffing changes, which may include layoffs, resignations, terminations, and extended leaves of absence.
• Conducts or assists with record audits and mandatory reports, which may include I-9 audits, EEO-1 filings, payroll audits, and other compliance reviews.
• May serve as the back-up to HR team, if needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Superior attention to detail required.
• Experience with payroll systems required.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Proven track record of maintaining employee confidentiality.
• Expert with various HRIS applications.
• Able to work under pressure with strict deadlines.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Associate's degree in HR or related field required, Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field preferred. 
• Two years’ experience in HR, payroll, and/or benefits administration required.
• Equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to meet the minimum requirements will be considered.
• National certifications such as: SHRM-CP or PHR a plus.
• Must possess and maintain a current Florida’s Driver’s License and state minimum requirements for auto insurance.

 Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: 

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity equipment/machinery such as copy machines, printers etc.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• The ability to observe, identify, and recognize details at close and long range. 
• Frequently moves boxes weighing up to 30 pounds across office for various needs.