HR and Payroll Specialist

Position Summary:

The Payroll & Benefits Clerk is responsible for accurately processing semi-monthly payroll and assisting with the administration of employee benefits programs. This position ensures compliance with federal, state, and college policies while maintaining confidential employee records. The role also provides support to employees with payroll and benefits inquiries and assistance as necessary.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Process semi-monthly payroll for all employee groups with accuracy and timeliness.

· Maintain and audit employee payroll and benefits records in accordance with college and legal requirements.

· Verify time sheets, contracts, and pay adjustments to ensure correct earnings and deductions.

· Assist in administering health, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement benefits programs.

· Coordinate benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations, ensuring timely and accurate processing.

· Respond to employee inquiries related to payroll, benefits, and leave in a professional and confidential manner.

· Prepare and distribute payroll reports, benefit statements, and reconciliation data for HR and Finance.

· Support new hire onboarding by reviewing benefits information and assisting with enrollment forms.

· Assist with annual processes including open enrollment, W-2 distribution, and audit preparation.

· Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

· Associate degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field required; bachelor’s degree preferred.

· Minimum of two years of experience in payroll processing and/or benefits administration, preferably in a higher education or public-sector environment.

· Experience with ADP Workforce Now or similar HRIS/payroll systems strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Strong understanding of payroll and benefits regulations, including FLSA, FMLA, ACA, and related compliance requirements.

· High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and organizational skills.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

· Excellent communication and customer service skills.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and Outlook.

· Ability to work collaboratively within a team and meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Statement of Commitment:

As part of Terra State Community College’s ongoing commitment in providing the highest quality education and training to our students, faculty, staff and community, the College will:
 

• Educate students by means of free, open, and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth.
• Equip students with an opportunity to develop the intellectual skills they need to reach their own, informed conclusions.
• Not require, favor, disfavor, or prohibit speech or lawful assembly.
• Create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth, and tolerates the differences in opinion that naturally occur in a public higher education community.
• Treat all faculty, staff, and students as individuals, will hold them to equal standards, and provide them equality of opportunity, with regard to those individuals’ race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.