Employment Opportunity

Employment Opportunity: Payroll and Benefits Technician

General Statement of Duties

Performs responsible paraprofessional and administrative work in the payroll and benefits programs for the City

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class administers a variety of benefits programs and prepares payroll for City employees. The employee serves as the primary contact for employees regarding benefit questions or issues, coordinates open enrollment procedures, processes workers’ compensation claims, maintains personnel files, and coordinates with employees and benefits vendors.  Work includes maintaining accurate leave and benefits information for each employee.  The employee must exercise judgment in completing assigned tasks and tact and courtesy in frequent contact with employees, department heads, and the general public. Work requires knowledge of FLSA and paraprofessional accounting principles and practices as well as accuracy and the ability to organize work to meet deadlines.  Work is performed under regular supervision and is evaluated for providing accurate and timely information, service orientation, and knowledge of benefits administration issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

  • Serve as the employee’s primary contact regarding benefit questions or issues; answers questions regarding health insurance, sick leave, and vacation, and provides related information in person, by phone, and through email.
  • Conducts new employee enrollment into payroll and benefits; provides new employees with personnel policies.
  • Participates in the administration of FMLA and shared leave; answers supervisory and employee questions.
  • Schedules health, dental, and vision insurance and other benefits open enrollment process including coordinating employee meetings, assisting employees in understanding and choosing options; entering benefits changes into the database; balances insurance billings.
  • Enters timesheet data to create a database for bi-weekly payroll; reviews time sheets; prepares payroll reports; distributes paychecks/stubs; processes payments for payroll vendors; maintains accurate database information for the retirement system, 401-K, etc.
  • Maintains personnel files and records up to date; assists with personnel policy updates and distribution.
  • Administers retiree health insurance.
  • Participates in other human resources activities and programs as needed including research, problem-solving, arranging logistics, and other issues; takes applications in person and online; places employment advertisements; may coordinate pre-employment drug screens or physical examinations; may prepare wellness grant applications and/or coordinate wellness fairs and programs.
  • Establishes, prepares, and maintains a variety of records and reports.
  • Prepares a wide variety of payroll records and reports; prepares child support payments, garnishments, and other deductions; processes W-2s; prepares and submits quarterly tax reports and payments.

Additional Job Duties

  • Fills in for absent staff and/or backs up staff as needed.
  • Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices of benefits management.
  • Knowledge of the laws, principles, court cases, and regulations that apply to benefits, personnel policies, programs, and practices in the public sector including the Fair Labor Standards Act and Family Medical Leave Act.
  • Knowledge of the application of information technology to payroll, benefits administration, and utility billing.
  • Knowledge of the City’s personnel policies.
  • Working knowledge of paraprofessional accounting principles and practices.
  • Some knowledge of the principles and practices of modern human resources management.
  • Skill in problem-solving, customer service excellence, and collaborative conflict resolution.
  • Ability to make mathematical calculations and use office technology.
  • Ability to analyze facts, programs, and benefits costs and make recommendations and reports in oral and written forms.
  • Ability to maintain the confidentiality of personnel records and discussions.
  • Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other officials, department heads, employees, and the general public.
  • Ability to be innovative and creative in designing new benefits programs and proposing policy changes.
  • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
  • Accuracy in data entry and ability to proof own work.

Physical Requirements

  • Must be able to perform the basic life operational skills of climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
  • Must be able to perform light work, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up-to 120 pounds of force frequently, and/or up a negligible amount of force constantly to lift objects.
  • Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform accounting tasks, operate a computer terminal, and do extensive reading.

Desirable Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited community college with a degree in human resource management, public administration, accounting, or related field and experience in payroll and/or benefits administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Salary range: $40,000 – $51,000. The hiring salary is based on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits package.

Deadline: Open until Filled.  Application online at cityofsouthport.com. Send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

Southport

2022