HR Specialist

Payroll and Benefit Specialist (Direct Hire) Job Location: Chesapeake, VA Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00am-5:00pm Overview The Payroll and Benefit Specialist supports the daily functions of the Human Resources (HR) department, focusing on the administration of benefits programs, payroll, HR systems, and compliance. This role works closely with the HR Manager and other team members in the HR department to support and advise management on HR operations matters. The Payroll and Benefit Specialist also assists in assessing and anticipating the HR-related needs of the organization. Responsibilities include maintaining HR systems, employee benefits programs, processing workers’ compensation claims, assisting with audits, preparing analytical reports, payroll processing, and employment law compliance. Job Duties Oversee and maintain optimal function of HR systems, including installation, customization, development, maintenance, and upgrades to applications, systems, and modules. Collaborate with leadership to identify system improvements and enhancements; recommend and implement solutions. Serve as the main point of contact and liaison between HR and external HR systems’ vendors. Create, manage, and maintain employee personnel records and HRIS information, including processing all changes into employee records, preparing reports and statistical summaries from records, and providing verifications of employment and reference checks for active and terminated employees. Assist in managing the open enrollment process and administering employee benefit plans. Work with the third‑party administrator to resolve claim disputes with providers when necessary. Review and verify monthly provider bills. Respond to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes, and other general inquiries in conjunction with the third‑party administrator. Process and administer all leave‑of‑absence requests and disability paperwork: medical, disability, and FMLA. Effectively assist with interpreting FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absence/disabilities and reasonable accommodation requests. Manage bi‑weekly payroll process, including bi‑weekly updates to employee files, bonus pay, tracking vacation/sick pay, inputting exceptions, hourly employee validations, and benefit changes. Assist in maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, recommend best practices, and review policies and practices to maintain compliance. Act as primary back‑up for HR Representative, as needed. Qualifications 3+ years of experience with ADP Payroll software and benefits. Excellent data entry skills and attention to detail. Prior experience in a corporate or manufacturing environment preferred. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, ethics, and cultural awareness. Resourceful, problem‑solving aptitude and thorough knowledge of HR procedures and policies. Advanced MS Office and ADP software skills, and comfortable learning new technical systems as needed. Knowledge of HR federal laws and regulations. Ability to deliver effective results and meet deadlines. Strong organizational and time‑management skills. Physical Requirements Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times. Must be able to access and navigate each department. #J-18808-Ljbffr Abacus Solution Group