Payroll and Benefits Specialist - Marshall, MN

Interested candidates: to be considered an eligible applicant for this position, candidates must complete a City of Marshall Employment Application at · Job Overview · The City of Marshall, MN invites applications for this full-time Payroll and Benefits Specialist position. We a ...

Job description

Interested candidates: to be considered an eligible applicant for this position, candidates must complete a City of Marshall Employment Application at

Job Overview

The City of Marshall, MN invites applications for this full-time Payroll and Benefits Specialist position. We are seeking candidates that have excellent attention to detail, the ability to self-initiate tasks, and work collaboratively with a variety of department supervisors, administrative staff, elected officials, and the public. This is an excellent opportunity for a talented professional to work for a city that places a high value on customer service, and takes a team-oriented, collaborative approach to the way it does business. If you desire a work environment that is fast-paced and rewarding, this is the right position for you

This position is responsible for the preparation and processing of a bi-weekly payroll; maintenance of payroll/benefit transactions and records; implementation and communication of employee benefit plans; processing of worker's compensation claims; completion of a variety of mandated reports; and support of the human resource department by completing other duties as assigned.

A complete job description is available at

Responsibilities

• Ensure timely and accurate paycheck preparation and distribution (City and Library operations). Review activity in bi-weekly payroll for accuracy and compliance with internal policies, labor contracts, pay schedules, legal and contractual requirements, and approved accounting standards.
• Generate and verify final payroll reports and payroll registers; coordinate wire transfer of funds for direct deposit, payroll taxes, and employee deductions to various banking institutions.
• Maintain payroll files in accordance with City, state, and federal retention/destruction regulations.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment process; develop comprehensive informational packets for distribution; communicate to and follow up with active employees and COBRA/Retiree employees to complete election process; audit elections and rectify errors, problems and issues to ensure successful set up; maintain records of employee insurance benefit elections.
• Provide benefit education and information on an on-going basis to employees; promote employee utilization of benefit programs; serve as a liaison between employees and vendors, as requested.
• Coordinate and maintain records of employee leave benefits and accruals administration, as assigned. Maintain and update employee leave and accrual records. Calculate and verify employees' sick leave and vacation accruals, and maintain accurate records of benefit accruals, usage, and balances; verify annual carryover benefits.
• Generate accounts receivable statements for applicable departments related to benefits and payroll administration.
• Maintain compliance with state and federal employment programs (e.g., COBRA, Military Leave laws, FMLA, etc.),employment laws, and privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA) as relates to payroll and benefits administration; maintain FMLA, Military leave, worker's compensation, etc. payroll records.
• Process vendor payments and prepare data for the electronic transfer of direct deposit, state tax deposits, federal tax deposit, P.E.R.A., deferred compensation, employee insurances, union dues, federal levies, garnishments, child support, and other voluntary deductions. Also responsible to process vendor payments and prepare data for electronic transfer, as well as monthly billing pertaining to Public Housing employee insurances. Prepare and remit monthly billing for BLR task force.
• Reconcile payroll deductions and prepare remittances coded to appropriate expense and liability accounts for payroll deductions, as needed.
• Review and reconcile third party administrator health insurance claims/summaries and flex accounts; prepare journal entries.
• Implement and maintain compliance to the Affordable Care Act employer directives. This includes but is not limited to tracking/monitoring employee hours and eligibility status; notifying supervisors of employee eligibility status; filing forms and reports, etc.
• Prepare a variety of monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reports, as directed and or required, such as federal withholding tax, state withholding tax, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development, payroll generated Affordable Care Act required filings, W-2's, GASB45, GASB75, auditor reports and census reporting.
• Maintain records for the processing of workers compensation claims and compile the information for the audits as pertains to the City and the Library. Complete and maintain federally mandated First Reports of Injury and OSHA300logs.
• Monitor worker compensation reimbursements received, calculate employee payroll checks while on worker's compensation, and monitor guidelines regarding length of coverage; prepare payroll reporting for worker's compensation and calculate and administer leave adjustments.
• Monitor employees' P.E.R.A. coverage eligibility and deferred compensation programs. Process and input data from enrollment forms and input changes into the payroll system.
• Complete data entry for employee status changes in HRIS system from point of hire through termination.
• Advise Supervisor of payroll issues involving pay and benefits related to policy language, labor agreement language, etc. Provide technical assistance to Supervisor on proposed language implementation issues.
• Schedule pre- and post-employment medical, hazmat, hearing, and drug/alcohol tests, as directed. Schedule random alcohol/drug testing in compliance with DOT regulations on a quarterly basis for selected CDL holders, deliver notices and consent forms to drivers. Maintain testing records/results as directed and required by law.
• Receive, research, and respond to inquiries from City staff on questions related to the City's personnel policies and employee benefits. Serve as primary contact for employees in understanding employee insurance and benefit plans and/or appropriately refer employees to vendors for information.
• Research and analyze payroll and benefits related regulatory updates and other information impacting the payroll system to determine actions necessary for compliance and to reduce liability; implement required changes to system.
• Generate and maintain payroll procedural manual.
• Generates (report-writing) reports from HRIS for routine processes (e.g., monthly reports, benefit statements, and other as requested, assigned).
• Calculate final compensation and benefit payments due to terminating employees including, but not limited to vacation, severance, compensatory time, sick leave and other compensation, as applicable.
• Perform new employee policy, payroll, and benefit orientations. Prepare new employee orientation packets and ensures proper completion of required new employee orientation and coordination of support to new employees.
• Perform filing into employee personnel files, as directed.
• Complete mandatory surveys and other human resource related surveys, as directed.
• Perform employment and benefit verifications as requested.
• Prepare and monitor qualifying event benefit packets and administer changes/updates.
• Perform new hire driver's license verifications and utilize the DOT Clearinghouse system to run compliance queries and enter results for CDL holders.
• Assist in maintaining the department's records per the City's, state, and federal retention/destruction policies.
• Update and maintain employee benefit website including benefit and payroll forms, provider websites and information.
• Attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associates/Technical degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Accounting, or closely related field.
• Two (2) years' experience in payroll processing.
• Two (2) years' experience in Business Administration, Human Resources, Accounting, or closely related field.
• Maintain a valid driver's license.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Experience with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) preferred.

Pay: $ $40.73 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person