Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Payroll & Benefits Specialist

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist at the Village of Los Lunas is a crucial role responsible for efficiently and accurately managing payroll processing and overseeing employee benefit programs. Reporting to the Human Resources Director, the Payroll/Benefits Specialist plays a central role in ensuring timely and accurate payment of wages and effective administration of employee benefit plans.

Responsibilities:

• Process bi-weekly paychecks for all Village employees, ensuring accuracy and adherence to relevant regulations.
• Maintain accurate payroll records, including employee information, wages, deductions, and tax withholdings.
• Review timesheets, attendance records, and other relevant documents to calculate employee compensation.
• Process adjustments, retroactive payments, and special payroll transactions accurately and promptly.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and other departments to ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll-related changes.
• Stay informed about payroll regulations, tax laws, and wage and hour laws to ensure compliance.

Benefits Management:

• Lead the management of employee benefit programs, including life, disability, health, dental, vision, Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), and other related plans.
• Maintain accurate records of employee benefits enrollment, changes, and status updates.
• Coordinate with benefit providers to ensure timely processing of vendor payments and accurate benefit coverage.
• Prepare and submit required benefits-related reports to regulatory agencies as needed.
• Assist employees with benefit inquiries, enrollment, and issue resolution, providing excellent customer service.
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices related to employee benefits and retirement plans.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 4-5 years of experience in payroll and benefits management.
• In-depth knowledge of payroll processing, wage and hour laws, and tax regulations.
• Proficiency in using payroll software and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for accurate calculation of wages and deductions.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Effective communication skills for interacting with employees and benefit providers.
• Detail-oriented and able to maintain a high level of accuracy in recordkeeping.
• Experience with benefits administration and knowledge of retirement plans (e.g., PERA) is a plus.