Job Title: Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Department: District Business Office

Reports To: Daryl Kent

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, twelve-month working period, classified salary schedule, 1 sick day/month, 4 personal days annually, annual paid vacation.

Contact Information:

Daryl Kent
Phone: (208) 436-4727 ext. 1105
Email: dkent@minidokaschools.org

JOB SUMMARY:

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist performs a variety of technical and accounting duties involved in the processing of the District’s payroll, including calculating all wage assignments, reconciling payroll against submitted time sheets and payroll data, calculating and remitting all applicable withholding liabilities, and state and federal reporting. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment.

ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

High School or GED equivalent required;
Bachelor’s Degree and advanced business training preferred;
Five years accounting or payroll experience preferred; or
Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Knowledge of:

Principles and procedures of payroll processing, accounting and record keeping;
Federal, state, local and other application regulations, practices and policies, including, but not limited to payroll administration, EEO/Affirmative Action, Fair Labor Standard’s Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho;
Current office practices and procedures;
English grammar and punctuation.

Ability to:

Operate standard office equipment and a personal computer and job-related software applications for word processing, spreadsheets, and other required applications;
Work independently in all aspects of computerized payroll processing, retroactive calculations and payments, online checks for routine corrections, and preparation of payroll reports;
Maintain complete confidentiality, within guidelines, of all payroll records and reports;
Mathematically calculate payroll information;
Interpret and apply related payroll Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);
Interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations;
Maintain records efficiently and accurately and to prepare clear and concise reports;
Prepare and maintain accurate and grammatically correct written reports, records, logs, and documentation;
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner;
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other District employees, supervisory personnel, vendors, and the public.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (or other duties assigned by the Superintendent or Board).

Reviews pay data, including but not limited to timesheets, contracts, and leave;
Conducts preliminary edit of time entered, processes payroll calculations, and conducts post-run review of reports and pay checks; ensures accuracy, completeness, authorization, and adherence to District administrative regulations and guidelines;
Maintains complete confidentiality, within guidelines, of all payroll records and reports;
Develops and maintains payroll data base and records including, but not limited to, establishing payroll processing pay periods and pay cycles, employee payroll history and deductions, tax tables and deduction grids;
Calculates and remits all applicable withholding liabilities for all District employees on a timely basis, including, but not limited to: quarterly and annual federal and state payroll reporting returns;
Calculates, prepares, sorts, and disburses accurate paychecks for District’s payroll, within strict timelines;
Responds to payroll-related requests for information from District departments, employees, and from outside agencies;
Prepares and collects all new employee benefit packets and processes that information into the payroll software system;
Researches and remains current on federal and state payroll tax law changes, pension, benefit, and other applicable laws and regulations affecting payroll administration;
Assists in administration of District health insurance and benefits program;
Serves as a research facilitator and the secretary of the District Insurance Committee;
Establish and maintain worker’s compensation claims and files on personnel, reportable to State Insurance Fund according to appropriate deadlines;
Provides information to personnel and retirees regarding active and retirement benefits, payroll data and payroll history;
Answers incoming phone calls and greets walk-in customers, provides general information to the public, answers questions and inquiries, provides specific information about payroll and benefits, and provides referrals to other departments or staff as needed;
Provides data entry services, faxing, typing, and filing in support of department functions;
Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with District policies, procedures and safety practices;
Cross train district office assistant(s) in payroll functions.
Other duties as assigned.

EVALUATION:
The performance of this position will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on the Evaluation of Classified personnel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions). The physical demands and work environment indicated below are examples of the physical aspects this position classification must perform in carrying out essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person and hear sounds within the normal range of conversation; prepare and review documents and process them in a prescribed order and organize documents and materials; operate a keyboard or type, handle materials, and operate standard office equipment; lift or move objects that weigh up to 30 lbs; and to work in a classroom environment. Jobs in this class require performing repetitive hand movement in gripping, and hand/wrist/arm movements. Related job tasks may require, with or without reasonable accommodation, walking, standing, sitting, lifting, stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, crouching, pushing, grasping, and reaching.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
All classified employees of the Minidoka County School District #331, including those in this position, are “at will” employees, meaning employment may be terminated by either the employer or employee at any time for any reason, consistent with applicable state or federal law. This job description/classification specification does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change as the needs of the District and position requirements evolve. Employment is contingent upon Board approval, successful completion of a federal background check, and a pre-employment drug-free workplace screen. The “at will” policy can only be altered if authorized in writing and approved by the Board of Trustees of District 331.

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