Payroll/Benefits Clerk

Skiatook Public Schools is seeking a Payroll Specialist/Benefits Clerk for the 2026-2027 school year.

JOB DESCRIPTION
PAYROLL/BENEFITS CLERK

Location: Skiatook Public Schools Education Services Center

Supervisor: Superintendent

Contractual Days/Hours: 260 days yearly-Full Time

Status: Non-Exempt

POSITION: PAYROLL/BENEFITS CLERK

Under direction, is responsible for performing payroll and/or benefit functions; performs related duties as required.

Payroll/HR Responsibilities:

• Pays employees by calculating pay and deductions and issuing checks.
• Maintains payroll information by collecting, calculating, and entering data into the payroll system, as well as retrieving data when necessary.
• Updates payroll records by entering changes in exemptions, insurance coverage, savings deductions, and job title and department/division transfers.
• Prepares reports by compiling summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, leave, disability, and nontaxable wages.
• Determines payroll liabilities by calculating employee federal and state income and social security taxes and employer’s social security, unemployment, and workers compensation payments.
• Communicates payroll deductions to retirement administrators for 401(k) plans and other pre-taxation savings plans.
• Assist with monthly, quarterly, or year-end calculations of bonuses and other salary-based compensation.
• Resolves payroll discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information and interacting with HR.
• Provides payroll information by answering questions and requests.
• Maintains payroll operations by following policies and procedures, and reporting needed changes.
• Maintains employee confidence and protects payroll operations by keeping information confidential.

Benefit Responsibilities:

• Administers health and welfare plans, including enrollments, changes and terminations. Processes required documents through payroll and insurance providers to ensure accurate record-keeping and proper deductions.
• Performs customer service functions by answering employee requests and questions.
• Reconciles benefits statements, invoices and reviews bills and costs on a regular basis, examines medical, dental, vision, life insurance billings, and makes necessary adjustments to reflect changes, terminations, qualifying events and new hires.
• Works closely with Human Resources Director and Payroll Administrator to monitor invoice and payroll deduction process pertaining to benefit plans.
• Maintains knowledge of federal and state regulations as they relate to benefits. Assures that Pike County benefit policies and procedures are followed.
• Assists with the administration of COBRA, Family Medical Leave Act and employees on leaves of absence; bills respective employees for premiums due.
• Processes all new insurance enrollments/terminations and any changes regarding the insurance program or employee situations. Process death and disability claims and conversion policies.  Maintain accurate records for claims, insurance coverage, and premiums.  Monitor status of life insurance claims.
• Maintain pending application records and ensure every day filing of benefit forms. Process new hire and termination/resignation/retirement notifications. 
• Maintain and prepare new hire packets and employee files.
• Assists all employees, retirees and COBRA participants with questions regarding employee benefits; identifies problems and concerns regarding benefit issues.
• Composes letters, memos, forms and documents as required for the administration of benefits.
• Calculates benefit eligibility dates and processes paperwork in timely manner.
• Responsible for handling large sums of money received for benefit premiums, retiree and employee benefit payments, COBRA disbursements, etc.
• Assists Human Resources Director with department projects and programs.
• Processes, composes and maintains confidential correspondence, reports and documents, establishes and maintains files, logs and statistics required within the department.
• Reconcile periodic reports to identify missing deductions in payroll system and verify employee enrollments.
• Manages employee personnel and medical files. Documents and archives files of terminating and retiring employees.  Processes employee files for storage in accordance with the file retention policy.
• Assists in the collection and processing of yearly Open Enrollment documents.
• Provide reports and documentation in accordance with internal and external audits.
• Acts as liaison with County departments and personnel at all levels. Interacts with internal and external government departments, outside bureaus, agencies, courts and general public on a daily basis.
• Handles benefit inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution; maintains contact in person, and by phone or mail, with hospitals, physicians, insurance companies, employees and beneficiaries to facilitate proper and complete utilization of benefits for all employees.
• Makes photocopies; mails, scans and emails documents; and performs other clerical functions.
• Assists the Payroll/HR Specialist with annual statement and tax form distributions and mailings.  

Skills and Qualifications:

• Analytical skills
• Data entry skills
• Attention to detail
• Deadline-driven
• Problem solving
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Confidentiality
• General math skills
• Familiarity with financial software
• Familiarity with accounting principles
• Communication skills
• Organizational skills

Education &Experience:

• High school diploma required; associate’s degree preferred
• Experience working in an office setting
• Previous payroll software experience a plus