Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Nature of Work:ThePayroll & Benefits Specialistis responsible foraccurate,timely, and well-controlled weekly payroll processing and for the day-to-day administration and reconciliation of employee benefit programs.

The position also administers employee leaves, including FMLA, Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave, and other approved leaves, and supports compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The role requires strong payroll judgment, disciplined follow-through, precise documentation, confidentiality, and the ability toidentify, investigate, resolve, and promptly escalate discrepancies.

The Specialist partners closely with managers, Human Resources, Finance, employees, benefit carriers, brokers, and system vendors tomaintainaccuraterecords and deliver responsive service.

Essential Functions: PayrollAdministration and Controls Process weekly payroll in the HRIS/payroll systemin accordance withthe established payroll calendar and submission deadlines.

Enter andvalidateemployee pay changes, status changes, deductions, garnishments, direct deposits, tax changes, leave accruals, retroactive adjustments, and other authorized payroll transactions.

Run and review pre-processing audit and exception reports; investigate unusual entries or variances before payroll isfinalized.

Confirmrequired approvals and supporting documentation are complete.

Escalate missing approvals or unresolved discrepancies before the payroll deadline.

Complete andretainthe payroll processing checklist, control totals, approvals, and reconciliation documentation for each payroll cycle.

Conduct post-payroll review and reconciliation,identifyerrors, coordinate corrections, and document root causes and preventive actions.

Maintainaccuratepayroll recordsin accordance withagency policy, legal requirements, and record-retention standards.

Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll questions; research issues, communicate findings clearly, and resolve or escalate concerns promptly.

Identifyrecurring timekeeping, payroll, or data-entry issues and recommend training, controls, or process improvements.

BenefitsAdministration andReconciliation: Administer employee enrollments, changes, qualifying life events, and terminations for health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and other agency-sponsored benefits.

Coordinate the effective start and stop dates of benefits and payroll deductions to meet payroll, carrier, and plan deadlines.

Perform monthly reconciliation of benefit carrier invoices, enrollment records, and payroll deductions.

Identifyand resolve discrepancies, including missing deductions, incorrect coverage levels,terminatedemployeesremainingon invoices, retroactive adjustments, and benefit arrears.

Maintain clear documentation of reconciliation findings, corrections, credits, refunds, and unresolved items; prepare reconciliation reports for HR and Finance review.

Respond to employee benefit questions accurately and courteously and provide education...