Payroll and Benefits Specialist closing date 1/14/2022

Description

This position is responsible to administer timekeeping and payroll processing procedures to ensure timely, accurate payment of wages to all Zoo employees. The position serves as a primary point of contact for employees’ payroll- and benefits-related needs, and provides general administrative support for the HR department.  

Essential Functions:

• Enters employee information into the employee database including new hires, terminations, and changes to pay rates, deductions, withholdings, and other personnel data.
• Audits and compiles weekly work hours for all non-exempt employees, researching missed or irregular time entries to ensure accuracy. 
• Completes all bi-weekly payroll processing procedures to ensure accurate direct deposit funds and printed payroll checks are available to employees in accordance with Zoo policies.
• Prepares mid-cycle payroll checks as needed and maintains accurate documentation for payroll records.
• Accurately prepares payroll checks for distribution, maintaining appropriate records of paycheck receipt.
• Maintains regular communication with payroll service representatives to streamline individual or company-wide requests and changes.
• Prepares and enters payroll journal entries. 
• Documents and tracks employee leaves of absence.
• Provides new employees with insurance benefit information and ensures timely enrollment into group insurance plan(s).  Answers employee questions and processes mid-year enrollment changes as needed.  Participates in annual open enrollment process as requested.
• Reconciles benefits statements in an accurate and timely manner, preparing benefit worksheets for allocation to the appropriate department.
• Accurately enters benefit billing statements into A/P system for payment and prepares related journal entries.
• Creates and distributes PTO reports to department management.
• Ensures all personnel files and other employee files are maintained in an organized, secure, legally-compliant manner.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of federal and California wage & hour laws and HR best-practices, and implements policy changes as needed.
• Participates in planning and executing Zoo events, both public and internal, as requested
• Provides back-up support for Accounting Department as needed.
• Answers incoming phone calls in a friendly, professional manner when needed.  Assists callers or routes to the appropriate party.
• Monitors all staff radio communication and responds to calls to Base as needed.
• Consistently maintains a high level of confidentiality with sensitive information.
• Performs other projects and tasks as requested.

Qualifications

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements:

• Associate’s degree or higher degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field from an accredited college or university.  HR certification a plus. 
• Minimum two years’ related experience and/or training preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite is required.
• Experience using Paycom software preferred. 
• Excellent written and verbal English communications skills required.  Bilingual communication skills a plus. 

Physical Requirements

These are physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed.  Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position.  Upon request for a reasonable accommodation, the Zoo may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.

• Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading.  
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication (in person and via telephone), at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken information to others in individual and small group settings.
• Hand and finger dexterity sufficient for typing and other administrative tasks.
• The employee is regularly required to lift and/or carry up to 10 pounds, and occasionally up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

• The position functions primarily indoors, with occasional exposure to outdoor heat and cold.
• Occasional local travel may be required.