POSITION: Human Resources/Payroll Specialist

REPORTS TO: Chief Talent Officer


PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Human Resources/Payroll Specialist is responsible for the production of an accurate payroll for the Chester Upland School District utilizing an enterprise payroll system. The position is responsible for processing all salaries for 10 and 12 month employees, generating supplemental pays, calculating adjustments and calculating flex payments. Additionally, this position researches and prepares all tax returns and PSERS reports for employee contributions, retirement information, refunds and purchase of service. This individual serves as a technical point-of-contact for HR and payroll and assists subject matter experts while ensuring data integrity, testing of system changes, report writing and analyzing data flows for process improvement opportunities. This position also supports payroll system upgrades, patches, testing and other technical projects as assigned. The Human Resources/Payroll Specialist is focused on analyzing and developing payroll procedures and processes and is responsible for the successful transmittal of bi-weekly payroll. The Human Resources/Payroll Specialist is also responsible for the support and maintenance of the payroll system.

The Human Resources/Payroll Specialist is responsible for the administration of all benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, voluntary benefits, and 403(b) plan.

The Human Resources/Payroll Specialist must be able to act independently and make decisions within regulated practices and procedures of the organization. This position assists the Director of Human Resources with other related projects as assigned.

MISSION: The Chester Upland School District is committed to providing all students the opportunity to achieve excellence in the four A's: Academics, Athletics, Arts, and Activities.

The senior leadership team continues to build a talented and committed team to ensure all students are prepared to graduate from Chester Upland schools career and college ready! The C.O.R.E. is the foundation of the Chester Upland School District's vision and mission.

C.O.R.E.:
C- Children First: The well being and continuous learning of every child will drive decisions.
O- One Chester Upland: With dedicated community of partners, parents, students and staff, we will excel, united as One Chester Upland.
R- Reimagining: Through a mode of continuous improvement, we will apply four important levers for change, collaboration, capacity building, deepening knowledge of pedagogy, and focusing direction to improve outcomes for all.
E- Equity, Excellence, and Emotional Intelligence: We will ensure equitable access to a quality education that includes emotional intelligence and leads to excellence across all opportunities and services.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PAYROLL:

1. Oversee the entire payroll process ensuring payroll is completed in an accurate and timely manner in compliance with local, state and federal laws. This includes preparing spreadsheets with salaries, hourly payroll, troubleshooting and making adjustments for medical deductions and salary information, supplemental payments, payroll transmission, balancing and release.
2. Assist in the review, testing and implementation of HRMS system upgrades and patches.
3. Write, maintain and support a variety of reports or queries utilizing appropriate reporting tools. Assist in development of standard reports for ongoing customer needs. Help maintain data integrity in systems by running queries and analyzing data.
4. Research and respond to all payroll related questions and concerns.
5. Spearhead payroll audits on a consistent basis and make recommendations for improvement.
6. Assist in the development of overall payroll procedures by recommending improvements or changes for greater efficiency.
7. Prepare PSERS reports for employee contributions, retirement information, refunds and purchase of service. Research issues as they relate to adjustments for all previously reported service and/or contribution errors. Report on-line monthly employee contributions to the bank for payment and notify the business office to issue a wire for the correct amounts.
8. Analyze account budget code changes to the payroll system and send a report to the Business Office of all reported changes to ensure previously reported payroll data is moved to the correct budget code.
9. Calculate salary each pay period for new hires, terminated employees, unpaid leave of absences, employees who return to work after a leave of absence and employees who need an adjustment to their pay rate due to a salary or position change, and communicate information to employee in a salary letter. Salary letters include detailed calculations and information regarding rates, payment process and pay schedule.
10. Communicate verbally and in writing with employees who were overpaid and follow-up to ensure payment is received through future payroll deductions or personal checks. Counsel employees to ensure understanding of calculations. Generate adjustments in payroll system to ensure W-2's are correct.
11. Issue manual checks for missed pays and corrections and prepare manual check memos. Generate stop payment requests and reissue checks which were lost. Prepare a monthly report of all manual checks for the Business Office.
12. Analyze and load the check detail and year-to-date information prior to starting a new payroll cycle. Run reports to calculate tax and money figures for the business office for wires, direct deposits and timely tax payments.
13. Comply with pay data and W-4's for unemployment, child credit, worker's compensation, social security, court orders and employment verifications.
14. Prepare and report taxes bi weekly.

BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION:

1. Ensure the accuracy of all benefits enrollments to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information.
2. Assist with new-hire orientations.
3. Perform quality checks of benefits-related data.
4. Assist employees regarding benefits plan changes.
5. Distribute all benefits enrollment materials and determines eligibility.
6. Enroll employees with carriers and process life status changes.
7. Respond to benefits inquiries from employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
8. Respond to 403(b) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts. Manages the annual catch-up contribution enrollment.
9. Assist with the open enrollment process.
10. Provide necessary reports for allocation/billing charges.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATION:

1. Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Human Resources, Business Management or related field
2. 1-2 years direct payroll experience
3. 1-2 years of human resources or benefits experience
4. 1-2 years of leave management experience, with a focus on FMLA
5. Strong knowledge of the leave requirements and other legal protections afforded by the FMLA, ADA, and other applicable laws

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Word, payroll software systems, and payroll reporting systems.
• Strong understanding of HR processes and data, including local, state and federal laws with regard to payroll processing, eligibility and enrollment rules, and benefit procedures in order to ensure correct implementation.
• Strong understanding of HRMS database design, structure, functions and processes, and experience with databases tools.
• Previous experience working with PSERS retirement system
• Excellent customer service skills to deal with a variety of employees, clients, and vendors.

UNION AFFILIATION: Not applicable

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

• Receipt of a completed application, resume and cover letter
• A minimum of three current written letters of reference from previous or current directors, principal, and supervisors
• Personal interview(s)

The information in this job description is for compliance with the Chester Upland School District Board Policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities and qualifications for the position. The incumbent may perform or be assigned other duties.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Chester Upland School District (CUSD) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CUSD ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources at 610-447-5886.