UNIVERSITY STAFF-PUBLIC MAY APPLY-PAYROLL AND BENEFITS SPECIALIST

Code: 133 Posted: 09/01/2015

Payroll and Benefits Specialist
Office of Human Resources

Position Location: The University of Wisconsin-Parkside seeks applicants for a Payroll and Benefits Specialist position in the Office of Human Resources.  

Responsibilities: Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, this position requires the employee to perform highly complex payroll processing and benefits administration responsibilities with the Office of Human Resources. The Payroll and Benefits Specialist will be responsible for administration of fringe benefits, payroll and leave accounting, benefits orientations and retirement activities. This position will also be responsible for system entry of benefit enrollments, changes and termination of coverage. 

The person occupying this position must have in-depth knowledge of human resources (HR), payroll, time and labor, absence management, and understanding of complex policies in order to perform the required duties within the PeopleSoft Human Resources System (HRS) higher education environment. With the HRS modules being highly integrated and relational, this position requires an understanding of the HR, payroll and benefits modules and the impact changes have between modules. The roles and responsibilities of this position encompass the operational management and interpretation of the payroll process and benefit administration. This position will perform other duties as assigned.  

A. 70% Administer Fringe Benefits

A1. Administer all benefit programs and be knowledgeable about the provisions in the various plans.

A2. Conduct new employee benefits orientation sessions and provide assistance in identifying benefit eligibility.

A3. Research and be knowledgeable of State Statutes, Wisconsin Administrative Codes, labor agreements, rules and regulations and Board of Regent Policies to determine correct interpretation and application to each specific individual being counseled.

A4. Provide pre-retirement counseling, compute estimated benefits and discuss options such as purchasing forfeited Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) or other creditable service, early retirement versus normal retirement, etc., interpret State and Federal rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to the WRS.

A5. Determine eligibility and assist employees anticipating terminating employment or who are in lay-off status, including counseling on continuation rights under insurance programs, such as COBRA rights, life insurance conversion, etc.

A6. Distribute COBRA notifications and benefit change notifications.

A7. Assist in benefit reconciliations, audits and benefit billing.

A8. Counsel employees on benefits options resulting from life changes including marital status changes, birth, death, address changes, and dependent changes. Inform employees of their benefits options regarding leave of absence and military leave (FMLA/WFMLA administration).

A9. Work directly with vendors regarding policies and assist employees in resolving claim problems.

A10. Coordinate open enrollments for employees and annual insurance updates; income continuation; individual and family group life; dual choice health insurance, dental and employee reimbursement accounts.

A11. Distribute annual staff benefit and WRS retirement statements. 

 

B. 20% Payroll Administration

B1. Serve as primary contact to coordinate and set up voluntary deductions; enter deductions as needed.

B2. Assist in employee notifications regarding missing timesheets and leave reports. 

B3. Assist with unclassified additional pay entries.

B4. Assist in reviewing payroll transactions for accuracy.

B5. Serve as primary contact to coordinate and set up voluntary deductions; enter deductions as needed.  

 

C. 10% Other Duties as Assigned

C1. Conduct and or coordinate trainings for employees and HR staff on benefit procedures, time reporting and absence management, and other topics as needed.

C2. Attend various UW System teleconferences and campus meetings regarding payroll, benefits and human resources issues.

 

Essential Knowledge And Abilities:

  • Comprehensive knowledge of benefit administration and payroll processes.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of FLSA, COBRA, FMLA and defined benefit plans.
  • Working knowledge of HRIS systems such as HRS, image document systems, report writing and writing queries.
  • Working knowledge of electronic time entry, including absence management.
  • Working knowledge of desktop hardware and standard business software programs (ie word processing, spreadsheets, databases) and the Internet.
  • Ability to think logically, perform work with accuracy and attention to detail, and an aptitude for numbers and calculations.
  • Ability to work with a diverse population with varying skill levels and understanding of technology and of payroll and benefits.
  • Ability to give excellent customer service with a sense of urgency and a desire to resolve issues, while building positive relationships with staff, students, faculty and administration.
  • Ability to think and react proactively to improve processes and make positive recommendations to the HR team.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive employee data.
  • Ability to work some nights, weekends and occasional holidays.

 

Ergonomic Requirements (ie excessive mobility to make deliveries on campus, climbing ladders, extensive computer use)

  • Extensive keyboarding and use of a PC terminal
  • Frequent use of various office machines, such as copiers, scanners and scanning station for ImageNow, various stamps and seals, etc.
  • Bending for filing
  • Frequent use of the phone
  • Light to medium lifting
  • Frequent movement up and down, in and out of chairs, and walking within and outside of the office.  

 

Qualifications:

Required

  • 2 or more years of benefit administration and payroll processing
  • HR generalist work experience

 

Preferred

  • Training or education in HR, payroll or benefits, such as: a BA or Master’s in Human Resources or related field, HR certificate, SPHR/HR, payroll certification or related training or experience
  • Experience working in government or higher education 

 

Salary: The hourly rate of pay for this position is $13.70-$22.60, based on qualifications and experience. The University of Wisconsin provides a liberal benefits package, including participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS).

Legal Notices :The University of Wisconsin Parkside is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applicants from women, people of color, persons with disabilities and all veterans.

Under a court approved settlement agreement and Wisconsin Statutes, we are required to provide a list of all nominees and applicants who have not requested in writing (addressed to the UW Parkside Human Resources Office) that their identity not be revealed. Persons agreeing to be final candidates will have their identity revealed as a final candidate.

Employment will require a criminal background check in accordance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act.

In compliance with the Clery Act of 1998, the University of Wisconsin Parkside Crime Statistics Report is available at https://www.uwp.edu/live/offices/universitypolice/crimestats.cfm. Call the UW-Parkside Campus Police Office at 262-595-2455 for a paper copy of the annual report.  

Review of Applications: You must apply online by Thursday, September 23, 2015. 

How to Apply: STEP 1: Please select the applicable link below: 

www.careers.wisconsin.edu :  

STEP 2: You must login before you can apply. Input your "User Name" and "Password" and select "Login"  

If you have not yet registered, click "Register Now" to begin the registration process. 

Under "Basic Job Search" enter the Keyword "Parkside" and click the Search button.

Select "Payroll and Benefits Specialist".

Click "Apply Now".  

STEP 3: Submit application materials:

Please be sure to complete all required fields and include all required documents before submitting your application. Once submitted, you will not be able to edit or attach any application materials. Please include the following documents: 

- Cover letter that specifically addresses qualifications for the essential job functions
- Resume
- Names and contact information for three references 

In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from a candidates application materials whether she/he meets all of the required qualifications, or if all of the application materials are not submitted, they will be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications and may be excluded from further consideration. 

You must select "SUBMIT", selecting "Save" will not forward your application materials to the search committee.  

Questions or concerns should be addressed to:
Jill Jarapko
Human Resources
University of Wisconsin Parkside
Office: 262-595-2204
Email: jarapko@uwp.edu  

Contact Name: Jill Jarapko

Contact Phone: (262) 595-2204

Contact Email: jarapko@uwp.edu 

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