Job description:
POSITION SUMMARY
The Payroll, Benefits & Leave Administration Specialist is responsible for administering payroll operations, employee benefits programs, and leave of absence management. This role serves as the subject matter expert for UKG Ready payroll administration, benefits carrier management, and employee leave programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
The Specialist exercises independent judgment in interpreting payroll policies, benefits eligibility, and leave regulations, and is responsible for ensuring payroll accuracy, benefits compliance, and proper administration of leave programs. This role partners with HR leadership and management to analyze and resolve complex payroll, benefits, and leave issues while ensuring operational compliance.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Responsibilities:
Payroll Administration
- Administer and oversee payroll operations using UKG Ready, ensuring accurate and compliant payroll processing. Generate payroll reporting and perform payroll audits to ensure ongoing compliance and accuracy.
- Audit payroll data, earnings, deductions, and tax calculations prior to payroll finalization. Analyze payroll reports and investigate discrepancies, resolving issues related to pay calculations, deductions, and tax withholdings.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws.
- Ensure proper payment of prevailing wages under Davis-Bacon and related federal or state prevailing wage regulations, including review of classifications and wage determinations where applicable.
- Manage payroll deductions including benefits, garnishments, and voluntary deductions.
Benefits Administration
- Administer and interpret employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans. Serving as a primary resource to employees regarding benefits eligibility, coverage questions, and plan interpretation.
- Manage employee enrollments, qualifying life events, and eligibility changes and maintain and manage carrier portal administration and eligibility records.
- Reconcile monthly carrier billing with internal enrollment records and resolve discrepancies.
- Coordinate open enrollment activities including system configuration, communication, and employee education.
Leave of Absence & ADA Administration
- Administer employee leaves including FMLA, state leave programs, medical leave, parental leave, and company leave policies. Determine leave eligibility and ensure regulatory compliance with federal and state leave laws.
- Manage ADA accommodation requests and facilitate the interactive process, including documentation and evaluation of reasonable accommodations.
- Track leave usage and ensure proper payroll and benefits coordination during leave periods.
Compliance & HR Operations
- Manage unemployment claims and VOE requests and employer responses, including documentation and agency communications. Complete Verification of Employment (VOE) requests.
- Maintain compliance with employment laws related to payroll, benefits, and leave administration.
- Evaluate existing payroll, benefits, and leave processes and recommend improvements to enhance operational efficiency and compliance.
- Employee support with timesheets, pay slips, benefits (open enrollment, new hire enrollment).
Experience:
Required
- 3–5+ years of experience in payroll, benefits administration, and HR operations
- Extensive hands-on experience with UKG Ready payroll administration with a strong understanding of payroll compliance, wage and hour regulations, and HRIS systems.
- Experience ensuring compliance with Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements or other prevailing wage regulations
- Experience administering FMLA, state leave programs, and ADA accommodations
- Experience reconciling benefits billing with insurance carriers
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
Preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration or human resources management
- SHRM-CP Certification
- Experience working in construction, field service or similar operational environment with non-exempt workforce
Computer Skills:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint
- Proficient in Outlook & Email Communication
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
