Payroll & HR Specialist

Payroll & HR Specialist

At Stratum, we are looking for a Payroll & HR Specialist who brings both strong payroll processing experience and a deeper understanding of payroll compliance, taxes, deductions, reconciliations, and reporting. This role goes beyond processing payroll and requires someone who can analyze payroll data, identify discrepancies, troubleshoot issues, and help ensure payroll is processed accurately and compliantly from start to finish.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys digging into details, solving problems, identifying discrepancies before they become larger issues, and ensuring employees are paid accurately and compliantly every payroll cycle. You will play a critical role in supporting payroll operations for a growing property management company while partnering closely with Human Resources, Finance, and our payroll provider, Paylocity. This position will work collaboratively across departments to help ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, reconciliations, reporting, and ongoing payroll process improvements.

If you are someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys analytical work, values accuracy, and takes pride in getting things right, we encourage you to apply.

Position: Payroll & HR Specialist

Location: Wilsonville, Oregon

Schedule: Full-Time | 40 Hours Weekly

Classification: Non-Exempt

Pay Range: $28.00-33.00 per hour DOE

Cell Phone Stipend: $50/month

Position Summary

The Payroll & HR Specialist is responsible for processing and auditing semi-monthly payroll while supporting payroll compliance, reporting, benefit deductions, garnishments, payroll reconciliations, and HR administration.

This position requires a strong understanding of payroll taxes, taxable wages, pre-tax deductions, garnishments, payroll balancing, and payroll reporting. The ideal candidate understands both the transactional and analytical sides of payroll and can proactively identify discrepancies, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with internal teams and payroll providers to resolve concerns accurately and efficiently.

This role also supports Human Resources operations including employee records management, onboarding administration, compliance tracking, reporting, and various HR coordination functions.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Process semi-monthly payroll accurately and timely.
• Review and audit payroll data including hours worked, earnings, deductions, taxes, benefit deductions, garnishments, and pay adjustments.
• Maintain payroll records including new hires, terminations, pay changes, bonuses, and deductions.
• Audit payroll registers and reports prior to payroll submission.
• Review payroll reports after processing to ensure accuracy and proper balancing.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and calculation issues.
• Partner with payroll providers to troubleshoot payroll configuration and processing concerns.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
• Assist with year-end payroll processing including W-2 review and reconciliation.

Payroll Reconciliation & Compliance

• Reconcile payroll liabilities including taxes, garnishments, benefit deductions, and 401(k) deductions.
• Review taxable wages and ensure proper taxation of earnings and benefits.
• Audit benefit deductions and payroll feeds for accuracy.
• Review and validate 401(k) eligible earnings and deduction calculations.
• Monitor garnishment processing and reconcile agency payments and balances.
• Analyze payroll reports and identify discrepancies or trends requiring correction.
• Assist with payroll audits, implementation corrections, and process improvements.
• Support Accounting and Finance teams with payroll balancing and reporting.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of payroll and employee information.

Human Resources Support

• Maintain accurate employee records within the HRIS system.
• Support onboarding and employee data entry processes.
• Assist with benefits administration and payroll deduction updates.
• Support performance review tracking and HR compliance documentation.
• Respond to employee payroll and HR-related questions professionally and timely.
• Assist with audits, reporting requests, surveys, policy acknowledgements, and special projects.
• Support HR process improvements and administrative workflows.

What You Bring

• 3+ years of payroll processing experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of payroll taxes, garnishments, taxable wages, and deductions.
• Experience reconciling payroll reports, liabilities, and deductions.
• Understanding of pre-tax benefits, benefit taxation, and 401(k) processing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to identify discrepancies and research payroll issues independently.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.
• Experience working with payroll providers and HRIS systems.
• Paylocity experience strongly preferred.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel/reporting skills preferred.
• Multi-state payroll experience preferred.

Preferred Experience

• Property management payroll experience preferred.
• Experience with payroll implementations or payroll corrections strongly preferred.
• Experience working closely with Accounting or Finance teams preferred.
• Experience managing garnishments and agency reconciliations preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Supplemental Insurance Options
• 401(k) with 100% company match up to 4%
• Employee Assistance Program available on first day of employment
• Paid holidays including your birthday
• Paid sick time
• Cell phone stipend
• Mileage reimbursement for approved business travel

Physical Requirements

This position requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, twisting, and repetitive hand and wrist movements while operating office equipment and computers. Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds may be required. The ability to remain organized, accurate, and effective during high-volume payroll periods and deadlines is essential.

Why Stratum?

At Stratum, we are a future-focused property management company dedicated to creating thriving communities while fostering an environment where employees can grow professionally and personally.

We believe payroll is one of the most important functions within an organization because employees depend on accuracy, consistency, and trust. We are looking for someone who values precision, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

At Stratum, your work matters. You won't simply process payroll you will help strengthen systems, improve processes, and support employees across the organization.

Additional Information

Background Check: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check following a conditional offer of employment.

E-Verify: Stratum participates in E-Verify and verifies employment eligibility for all new hires.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Stratum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace free from discrimination and harassment.

If you are ready for a payroll role where analytical thinking, accuracy, compliance, and problem-solving truly matter, we encourage you to apply.