Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Harbor's Edge is a premier 5-star, resort-style Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) located alongside the beautiful harbor in Norfolk, Virginia. Our community consists of 300 Independent Living Residential Units, a 33-bed (Medicare/private) Skilled Nursing Healthcare Unit, a 40-bed Assisted Living Unit, and 34-bed Memory Support Unit.
We are seeking a highly qualified, full-time Payroll & Benefits Specialist to join our team to assist in delivering excellent care for our residents. The ideal candidates will have senior living experience (e.g., long-term care, assisted living, memory support) with a passion for working with an elderly population.
The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible to work closely with the Human Resources Manager and team in all aspects of payroll and employee benefits. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, process bi-weekly payroll in an accurate and timely manner, appropriate auditing and reporting, provide training to managers regarding time and attendance compliance, and assist employees with payroll inquiries, concerns, and/or issues. Responsible to accurately handle all payroll and benefits processes in a timely, professional manner to include proper employee pay deductions, timely report creation and submission, and vendor and regulatory inquiries.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Enter biweekly payroll and process information in the payroll system in an accurate and timely manner. Information may include bonus, commissions, and/or other compensation, time worked, paid leave and holidays, benefits deductions, tax deductions and withholding, garnishments, child support orders, and tax levies according to policy/regulation. Issue, or reissue, physical or replacement checks, or direct deposits due to payroll errors or final discharge. Maintain payroll files according to policy, regulatory guidelines, and best practices. Secondary contact for Payroll/HRIS vendor relationship, including data feeds, and reporting.
• Ensure payroll records are properly maintained in a survey-ready state. Participate in local, federal, and state inspections of employee and payroll records as required.
• Perform regular auditing of payroll and benefits information to ensure accuracy, including 403(b) deferrals and employer match calculations.
• Ensure accuracy of third-party vendor documents and distribute required notices to employees. Provide resource information to complete loan and hardship applications.
• Reconcile payroll and vendor statements to ensure accuracy to the General Ledger.
• Prepare routine reports using applicable software as necessary to include wage and hour reports, Payroll Based Journal (PBJ), etc.
• Ensure the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRMS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information. Performs quality checks of benefits-related data.
• Assist employees and managers with benefits, claim issues, and plan changes as needed. Distribute all benefits communication as needed.
• For 403(b), promptly respond to inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts. Manage the annual catch-up contribution enrollment.
• Process and administer all leaves of absence requests and disability paperwork: medical, short- and long-term disability, FMLA, and ADA.
• Assist Human Resources Manager with the annual open enrollment process and ensure advance preparation with adequate time for a smooth implementation.
• Administer a variety of programs including the Tuition Reimbursement Program.
• Provide training to new hires during New Employee Orientation, as well as relevant payroll, time and attendance, and benefits training to new and existing managers as needed.
• Ensure appropriate documentation and updating of processes as needed in accordance with regulations, industry norms, and company policies.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or Human Resources or comparable field; or a minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible work experience in all facets of payroll and benefits may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Knowledge of federal and state employment laws related to all areas of payroll and benefits.
• Professional certification strongly preferred (e.g., CEBS, CCP, CBP, CPP).
• Strong service excellence skills, highly organized, adaptable, time management skills, able to multi-task, and effectively meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of internal and external partners. Frequent interaction with the elderly in a courteous and friendly manner.
• Consistently demonstrate exceptional verbal and written communication skills, communicate in a pleasant, clear manner, listening skills, and ability to utilize excellent negotiation and persuasion skills.
• Remain knowledgeable and current in all aspects of payroll and benefits.
• Proficient in a variety of databases and computer programs including Microsoft Office Suite, strong Excel reporting, HRMS Systems (Paylocity experience strongly preferred).

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off + Six Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer Paid - Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• Employer Paid - Short-term and Long-term Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan w/ Employer Contribution

• College Tuition Reimbursement
• Employer Paid - Certification Training
• Legal Resources & Identity Protection Plan