Administrative Assistant - Payroll and Leaves- Job ID 14358

Administrative Assistant: Payroll and Leaves

Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.

Position Summary

The Administrative Assistant of Payroll and Leaves at River Street Schools and Programs provides administrative support for payroll, timekeeping, leave administration, and employee record management. This position assists with the collection, entry, maintenance, and verification of employee attendance, leave, and personnel information to support accurate payroll processing and leaves of absence with organizational policies and procedures. The Administrative Assistant serves as a key point of contact for employees, supervisors, and internal departments, helping to ensure timely communication, accurate documentation, and efficient business operations.

Duties/Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with the collection, review, and entry of employee timekeeping, attendance, and leave information to support accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Maintain employee payroll and leave records by accurately entering, updating, and verifying information in payroll, timekeeping, and personnel management systems.
• Support the administration of employee leave requests by tracking absences, maintaining required documentation, and ensuring records are complete and organized.
• Monitor and maintain employee attendance and leave records, including sick leave, personal leave, family medical leave, workers' compensation-related absences, and other approved leave categories.
• Partner with CREC Human Resources to support Workers' Compensation and FMLA administration by tracking employee leave requests, maintaining confidential documentation, coordinating required communications, and ensuring timely completion and submission of required forms and records.
• Assist with reconciling payroll and leave data across various systems, identifying discrepancies and escalating concerns to the Payroll and Leaves Coordinator for resolution.
• Prepare, maintain, and distribute payroll, attendance, leave, and staffing reports as requested by program leadership and Human Resources.
• Serve as an initial point of contact for employee inquiries related to timekeeping, leave balances, payroll deadlines, and required documentation, referring complex matters to the Payroll and Leaves Coordinator as appropriate.
• Assist employees and supervisors with the completion and submission of payroll forms, leave requests, timesheets, and related documentation.
• Maintain accurate electronic and hard-copy employee records in accordance with organizational policies, record retention requirements, and confidentiality standards.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Payroll, and program leadership to ensure timely communication and processing of employee information affecting payroll and leave administration.
• Generate employee correspondence, notifications, and reminders related to payroll deadlines, leave documentation requirements, and attendance reporting procedures.
• Handle sensitive and confidential employee information with discretion and in accordance with organizational policies, employment regulations, and privacy requirements.
• Foster positive working relationships with candidates, employees, supervisors, Human Resources, and other internal departments to support effective communication and efficient hiring and onboarding processes.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Competencies

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Project Coordination - Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Assists with completing projects on time and on budget.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Written and Oral Communication - Writes and speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
  
  

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree (AA) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school, or two years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive), with the ability to create, edit, and manage documents, spreadsheets, and presentations efficiently.
• Bilingual preferred.
  
  

Travel Requirements

Limited travel to and from meetings may be required (occasionally, less than 10%)

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standing (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Walking (frequently, 1/3 – 2/3)
• Sitting (continually, more than 2/3)
• Reach with hands and arms (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Climbing or balancing (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Lifting up to 10 lbs. (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Carrying up to 10 lbs. (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Moderate Noise
  
  

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Group Health Insurance Plans
• Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability options
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable
• Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA)
• Comprehensive benefit time package
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bereavement time & Religious Holidays
• Credit Union Access
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Network Groups
• Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career!
• Benefit from our exclusive partnership with Springfield College, offering a 15% discount on tuition for next-level degree programs to support your academic and career aspirations!
  
  

Based on terms and conditions during your employment, specific to your job classification and collective bargaining agreement.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement

CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice—ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions—that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.

Disclaimer Statement

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To access the job description and salary range please click https://www.crec.org/careers/jobs.php