Payroll & Benefits Specialist - FT

General Description of Position Under the general direction and supervision of the Administrative Director, Payroll, the Payroll & Benefits Specialist’s responsibilities may include but are not limited to processing the bi-weekly and monthly payroll, printing paychecks and direct deposit advice, processing payments to benefit providers, communicating with employees regarding their benefits, processing the monthly and annual leave accruals, performing roll-over procedures for the leave system, processing leave entry corrections, processing entries for the Catastrophic Leave Bank, issuing replacement W-2 tax forms, filing reports with various state reporting agencies, including but not limited to preparing federal/state labor reports and unemployment reports, issues stop payment orders for payroll, images all payroll records. This may include operating personal computers, printers, calculators, pressure sealers/folders, scanners, copy machines, fax machines, and automated mailing machines. May require assigned duties at various campus locations. This full-time regular position.

Southeast Community College offers competitive compensation and a robust benefits package, including, but not limited to, medical/dental insurance, 403(b) retirement with College matching contribution, vision insurance, a flexible spending account, a variety of employee-paid supplemental benefits at discounted group rates, and tuition reimbursement. Southeast Community College also offers extensive leave plans. In addition, Southeast Community College makes available to all full-time employees the use of “Ben Dollars” (cash-in-lieu potential for certain coverage levels) to cover medical and dental premiums.

Essential Functions

Payroll Verify payroll documentation and ensure supporting data is complete before processing changes. Proof I-9 and W-4 forms for IRS compliance, verify deductions for State and Federal taxes, and reconcile payroll data for accuracy and completeness. Generate and verify new employee identification numbers and enter new hires’ demographic, tax, benefits, and payroll deduction information. Enters employee changes in the system. Run reports for unapproved timecards and follow up with supervisors to obtain necessary approvals. Verify payroll data-entry forms and documentation for accuracy and compliance with College policies. Enters garnishments and court-ordered deductions for child support or taxes. Prepare direct deposit ACH files for bi-weekly and monthly payrolls. Reconcile employee deductions for retirement, life, health, and reimbursement accounts, and prepare the unemployment and labor reports. Forward all payroll annuities to Accounts Payable and Accounting for funding. Assists with preparing, printing, and filing W-2 tax forms. Issue duplicate W-2 forms as requested. Provides oversight to other clerks in the business office working with payroll. Assists with filing quarterly 941 & 941N tax returns. Benefits In collaboration with Human Resources, Payroll, and Administrative Services, provides assigned support to the area of employee benefits. Assist with employee benefits enrollment, reconcile provider billings, and process payments to benefit providers. Transmit contribution files to TIAA-CREF and monitor contributions to the 403(b) and 457(b) plans for IRS compliance. Enroll employees in leave plans, manage monthly and annual leave accruals, fiscal year-end leave procedures, corrections, and donations to the Catastrophic Leave Bank. Modify and terminate employee benefits upon request. Imaging & Filing Scan, index, and image bi-weekly and monthly payroll files. Files final billings from benefits provider. Develop and Maintain the Payroll Procedures Manual: Assist in developing and maintaining the Payroll Procedures Manual. Coordinate cross-training of payroll staff for area-wide procedures. Communication & Public Relations: Communicates with the public, students, faculty, and staff on a daily basis. Maintain excellent customer service at all times. Handles phone inquiries concerning payroll deductions. Promote/Support Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Access Work toward creating a welcoming, inclusive, equitable, and productive work and learning environment, where all students, faculty members, and college employees are valued and may contribute to their full potential, regardless of their differences. Make concerted efforts to implement accessible and inclusive practices and processes aimed at creating a diverse and equitable learning and work environment. Commit to fostering and maintaining a safe environment of respect and inclusion for students, employees, and members of the community, and promote and support the College’s policies and programming related to access, fair employment, EEO, equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Marginal Functions

Perform other related duties within the division/program as assigned. May be required to perform associated duties, functions, or assignments in other divisions/programs/areas as required. Perform other College functions and duties as assigned. Must be able to work varied days, hours, shifts, locations, and campuses as required. Work schedules (hours/days/work location) are scheduled by Southeast Community College based on the needs of the College. Work hours, shifts, days, and work locations may vary depending on the needs of Southeast Community College and are subject to modification. Emergency or scheduled special activities may require hours outside of the regular workweek.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Proficiency in basic math functions and calculator usage. Experience in bank account management. Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately proof, edit, and sort data. Familiarity with operating a switchboard phone system, including voicemail. Provide strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse group of students, staff, and members of the public. Proficient in oral and written business communication, with a solid understanding of business etiquette. Experience operating personal computers, imaging software, scanners, spreadsheets, databases, and word processing software. Skilled in data entry and inquiry, with proficiency in PC operation. Ability to perform physical tasks such as transporting supplies, including lifting items weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds from floor level to a height of 36 inches. Capable of performing repetitive motions, such as wrist, hand, and finger movements, and tasks, such as opening, pulling, pushing, reaching, carrying, collating, dialing, filing, and inserting. Flexibility to work at various campus locations as assigned. Must possess the necessary skills and abilities to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation, or demonstrate equivalent skills through other means. Ability to communicate effectively both in writing, in person, and on the phone. Ability to use basic computer skills. The individual must possess the above skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities. Minimum Qualifications Associate’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a directly related field of study, OR two (2) years of post-secondary coursework in Accounting, Finance, or Business* Three (3) years of work experience in an Accounting, Finance, Payroll, Benefits, Compensation, or Business capacity relating to the area of work responsibilities* * Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Management, or Public Administration may substitute for up to two (2) years of required work experience.

* Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) may be substituted for two (2) years of the required work experience.

* Qualifying related work experience, (beyond the required three (3) years minimum work experience), in an Accounting, Finance, Payroll, Compensation, Benefits, or Business capacity may be substituted for the listed educational requirements on a year-for-year basis. Desired Qualifications Certification as a Payroll Professional (CPP) Payroll/Accounting work experience in a higher education institution Knowledge of the College’s payroll and accounting software and programs

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