Part-time Payroll Specialist

Part-time Payroll Specialist

Reports To: Director of People and Culture

Department: Human Resources Employment Status: Part-time, 20 hours per week

Compensation: $50-$55 per hour

Position Summary

The Part-time Payroll Specialist serves as the lead payroll administrator for the school network and provides high-level operational support across Human Resources. This position is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, maintaining employee records, and administering leave tracking while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, maintains confidentiality, and thrives in a fast-paced educational environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Serve as the primary payroll administrator for all school employees.
• Process bi-weekly payroll accurately and on schedule.
• Review and validate employee timesheets, time-off requests, and attendance records.
• Ensure payroll changes, including new hires, terminations, salary adjustments, stipends, bonuses, and deductions, are processed accurately.
• Audit payroll reports prior to payroll submission to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Coordinate year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation and reconciliation.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, wage and hour, and tax regulations.

Customer Service & Employee Support

• Serve as a resource for employees regarding payroll, benefits, and HR policies.
• Deliver exceptional customer service while maintaining professionalism and discretion.
• Build collaborative relationships with school leaders and staff.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee information.
• Prepare HR and payroll reports for leadership.
• Support annual audits and regulatory reporting.
• Assist with policy implementation and HR process improvements.
• Maintain employee leave records, including FMLA, Paid Family Leave, disability, workers' compensation, and other leaves.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field preferred.
• Associate's degree with equivalent payroll and HR experience will be considered.

Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years of Human Resources and payroll experience.
• Experience processing payroll for 100+ employees preferred.
• Experience in K–12 education or charter schools strongly preferred.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and timekeeping systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of payroll administration and wage and hour laws.
• Knowledge of HR best practices and employment law.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, payroll software, and HRIS platforms.
• Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ADP Workforce Now, or similar payroll systems.
• Experience with New York State payroll and education-related employment regulations.

Core Competencies

• Payroll Administration
• HR Operations
• Compliance & Confidentiality
• Customer Service
• Data Accuracy
• Time Management
• Problem Solving
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Accountability
• Continuous Improvement
• Equity & Inclusion

Onsite requirements:

• This role is hybrid with 1-2 days per week onsite.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and computer work.