Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Position Title: Payroll and Benefits Specialist Reports To: Payroll and Benefits Manager Category: Full-Time, Exempt Department: Finance Location: Juneau, Alaska Work Location Requirements This position is based in Juneau, Alaska, the heart of our company’s operations and culture. We strongly believe that experiencing our Alaska Native corporate environment firsthand is essential to understanding our mission, values, and the way we work together as an organization. Remote work may be approved for candidates residing in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, or Idaho; however, maintaining a strong connection to our Juneau headquarters is a core expectation of this role. All remote employees are required to travel to the Juneau office for their first week of employment to support onboarding, relationship building, and direct exposure to our corporate culture. In addition, remote employees will return to Juneau approximately 1–3 times per year to stay engaged with our team, strengthen collaboration, and remain connected to our corporate culture. Position Summary The Payroll & Benefits Specialist supports the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll for Huna Totem Corporation and its subsidiary entities, covering a workforce of 500 employees across seasonal and year-round operations. This role coordinates closely with Human Resources, Finance, and ADP to ensure all personnel actions, time records, and benefit elections are properly documented, approved, and reflected in payroll systems. The position requires a high level of accuracy, discretion, and adherence to regulatory requirements. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Payroll Processing Assist in processing bi-weekly payrolls in ADP Workforce Now across multiple entities Review timecards and exception reports for accuracy and compliance Ensure timely payroll submission and funding Validate earnings, deductions, taxes, and benefit elections Process off-cycle payrolls, adjustments, and corrections HR Coordination & Data Management Process personnel actions in ADP, including hires, terminations, pay changes, and job changes Verify all payroll-related actions are approved and properly documented Maintain accurate employee master data Coordinate with Human Resources to resolve payroll discrepancies Compliance & Internal Controls Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations Monitor overtime calculations and Alaska labor law requirements Support ACA tracking, garnishments, and workers’ compensation reporting Maintain payroll controls, procedures, and documentation Reporting & Reconciliation Prepare payroll registers, funding reports, and audit documentation Reconcile payroll to the general ledger and benefit invoices Support month-end and year-end close processesAssist with year-end tax reporting, including W-2 processing Provide payroll data for audits, budgeting, and financial analysis Process Improvement & Employee Support Maintain and update payroll procedures and documentation Identify and implement process improvements Support system upgrades and integrations Respond to employee payroll inquiries Research and resolve discrepancies Perform other duties as assigned Physical Requirements & Work Environment Primarily office-based or remote work environment Regular travel to Juneau required for remote employees Travel may include small aircraft Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally Qualifications Education & Experience Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or Human Resources preferred 2–6 years of payroll administration experience supporting a workforce of 300 employees Experience with multi-entity or seasonal workforces preferred ADP Workforce Now experience strongly preferred Technical Skills & Competencies Proficiency with payroll and timekeeping systems (ADP required) Advanced Excel skills for reconciliation and reporting Knowledge of payroll tax, wage and hour laws, and benefit administration Ability to integrate payroll data with HRIS and accounting systems Strong attention to detail and accuracy Effective organization and time management skills Ability to maintain confidentiality Clear and professional communication skills Huna Totem Corporation is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, with Native Preference under P.L. 93-638. Compensation details: 72000-80000 Yearly Salary #J-18808-Ljbffr