HR Payroll and Benefits Specialist

HR Payroll & Benefits Specialist As the HR Payroll and Benefits Specialist, you will provide critical administrative and operational support to the day-to-day HR function. You will serve as the primary internal contact for employees and coordinate closely with our third-party administrators to ensure health plans, welfare plans, and leave programs are administered smoothly and in accordance with federal and state regulations. Additionally, you will own the end-to-end payroll process for the Firm, ensuring accurate and timely submission, while supporting essential HR functions including onboarding, multi-state compliance, employee relations, and HRIS maintenance. Duties and Responsibilities Payroll Administration: Execute timely and accurate processing of Firm payroll, ensuring proper deductions and regulatory compliance. Benefits Management: Administer health and welfare plans, including enrollments, changes, and terminations. Leave of Absence (LOA) Coordination: Serve as the primary internal point of contact for employees requesting leave; partner closely with our third-party vendor to manage, track, and process FMLA and state-specific Paid Family Leave (PFL) claims. Vendor Liaison: Coordinate between employees, insurance providers, and the third-party leave vendor to resolve inquiries and ensure seamless communication. Onboarding & Offboarding: Facilitate new hire onboarding, complete and verify Form I-9 documentation, and assist with termination processing. Compliance & Audits: Conduct regular audits of payroll, benefits, and leave programs; maintain and review departmental SOPs to meet internal and external standards. Financial Reconciliation: Assist with the reconciliation of monthly benefits statements. Data & Systems: Manage data entry, record-keeping, and file maintenance within the HRIS (ADP Workforce Now), ensuring leave statuses are accurately updated for payroll. Performance Support: Assist with the administration of the performance review and promotion processes. Employee Relations: Respond comprehensively and courteously to daily internal HR inquiries, providing superior customer service. Administrative Support: Prepare HR correspondence, maintain employee files, and complete other duties as assigned. Job Requirements Values Alignment: Ability to build consensus and commitment around the Firm's Core Values. Technical Knowledge: Basic knowledge of benefit programs (health, disability, dental, life, 401k) and employment regulations (I-9, W-4, COBRA, ADA, ACA, FMLA, and state-specific paid family leave laws). Vendor Management: Experience or comfort acting as the liaison between internal staff and an external third-party administrator (TPA). Confidentiality: Proven ability to handle highly sensitive medical and financial information with absolute discretion and HIPAA compliance. Autonomy: Strong self-motivation with the ability to work effectively under limited supervision. Execution: Solid reasoning, sound judgment, and project management skills to meet conflicting deadlines under pressure. Communication: Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Software Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ADP Workforce Now. Adaptability: Ability to multitask and stay organized in a fast-paced environment; willingness to work extended hours when necessary. Qualifications and Skills Education: Bachelor's degree in human resources management preferred (relevant experience may be substituted for education). Experience: 24 years of experience in an HR or payroll environment preferred, with exposure to tracking employee leave or working with an external leave vendor. Systems Experience: Experience administering timekeeping and payroll using ADP Workforce Now is preferred (willing to train the right candidate). Physical Requirements Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Competencies Accountability 20% Communication 25% Compliance and Discipline 20% Ethics/Integrity 25% Problem Solving & Decision Making 10% Travel This position requires up to 0-5% travel. Travel excludes local commute. Compensation and Benefits Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, Life, Accident, Critical Illness, Long-Term Care, Pet Insurance, 401k, Profit Sharing, and Student Debt Retirement Savings Program. Paid Time Off (PTO)/ Paid Holidays Gurstel Law Firm, P.C. (hereinafter "the Firm") is a multi-state litigation law firm representing creditors in all aspects of legal collection process. The Firm is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota with offices in Arizona, California, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah, and Wisconsin. Its practice is focused on the development of attorneys' litigation skills, strategies and industry knowledge. Culture At Gurstel, we operate on our Core Values of Doing Right, Achieving Results, and Maintaining our Integrity. We champion diversity and are a very fast-paced, enthusiastic group of people! Success is celebrated and we are looking for people who share those same values with the drive to exceed expectations and think outside the box! Our culture is what makes our Firm a fun and rewarding place to work. EOE- Gurstel Law Firm, P.C. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/W/D/V) dedicated to diversity in the workplace and offers a great work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Notice To Third Party Agencies : Gurstel Law Firm, P.C. (hereinafter "Gurstel") does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of Gurstel and Gurstel will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.