Payroll & Benefits Specialist

We are looking for a person to join our payroll work group for Pennington County. This is a new initiative with the Human Resources department and we are excited to offer this opportunity to the right person. The ideal candidate will have payroll and governmental accounting experience, with a collaborative mindset and excellent customer service skills.

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist provides critical support to the Payroll Administrator by assisting with the accurate and timely processing of payroll and coordinating employee benefits administration. This position works closely with departments’ payroll staff, HR staff, and Auditor’s Office to ensure proper time reporting, pay, and benefits compliance for all County employees.

• Assist the Payroll Administrator in processing payroll, including verifying time records, reviewing deductions, and ensuring accurate pay distribution.
• Serve as a liaison between the Payroll Administrator and Departments’ Payroll Staff to ensure timely and accurate submission, entry, and auditing of employee timesheets.
• Maintain and update employee payroll and benefits records, including enrollments, terminations, and changes to deductions or coverage.
• Coordinate with HR and benefit providers to process benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations accurately and within required deadlines.
• Respond to employee questions regarding payroll, benefits deductions, leave balances, and related matters with professionalism and confidentiality.
• Assist with the preparation and submission of required payroll tax reports and year-end documents such as 
   W-2s, 1095s, and ACA forms.
• Perform routine audits of payroll and benefit records to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as County policies.
• Reconcile benefit invoices with payroll deductions to ensure accurate billing and payment.
• Prepare and maintain payroll and benefit reports as needed for internal reporting and audits.
• Support the Payroll Administrator with process improvements and special projects related to payroll and benefits.
• Perform other payroll-related duties as assigned to support County operations.
• Maintain compliance with all County policies and procedures

Education and/or Experience Required:

• Associate degree in accounting, business administration, human resources, or a related field required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of payroll and/or benefits administration experience, preferably in a government or public sector setting.
• Working knowledge of payroll principles, federal and state wage and hour laws, and employee benefit programs.
• Experience with payroll and HRIS systems; proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and reconciliation.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information with discretion.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet multiple deadlines.
• Strong communication skills to interact effectively with employees, department payroll staff, HR, and external benefit providers.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential position functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards
• This position frequently remains stationary for long periods of time and needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copy machine and printer.
• Must be able to move up to 20 pounds unassisted, and move 40 pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively on telephone, in-person and in writing.

Working Environment:

• Most work is performed indoors in an office where noise and interruptions often occur.
• Overtime hours may be required to meet deadlines

Salary : $24