Payroll and Benefits Specialist

About the role

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is a key member of the Human Resources team responsible for administering payroll and employee benefits programs with accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance. Reporting to the Human Resources Manager, this position ensures employees are paid accurately and on time, maintains payroll and benefits records, administers deductions and enrollments, and serves as a primary resource for employee payroll and benefits inquiries. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist works closely with employees, managers, benefit providers, and payroll vendors to ensure compliance with company policies and applicable federal and state regulations.

What you'll do

• Process semi-monthly payrolls accurately and timely in accordance with established payroll schedules.
• Review and verify employee timesheets, timekeeping records, time off requests, and attendance data to ensure accuracy and policy compliance.
• Calculate wages, overtime, bonuses, retroactive pay adjustments, and other compensation components as required.
• Maintain payroll records and employee compensation data within payroll and human resources information systems (HRIS).
• Enter and update payroll-related information, including tax withholdings, direct deposit information, benefit deductions, and employee status changes.
• Administer and coordinate employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and related benefit plans.
• Process new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, open enrollment changes, and benefit terminations.
• Reconcile payroll deductions and monthly benefit invoices to ensure accuracy.
• Process wage garnishments, tax levies, child support orders, and other court-ordered deductions.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, employee concerns, and payroll-related inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, payroll regulations, and company policies.
• Prepare payroll, benefits, and compliance-related reports for management, audits, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with year-end payroll processing, including W-2 preparation, payroll reconciliations, and related reporting.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee payroll, benefits, and personnel information.
• Provide exceptional customer service and support to employees regarding payroll and benefits matters.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience administering payroll and employee benefits, preferably in California and/or multi-state environments.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, wage and hour laws, payroll tax administration, benefit programs, and related compliance requirements.
• Experience working with Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), payroll platforms, and timekeeping systems required; Rippling experience strongly preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, including payroll reconciliations, reporting, and data analysis.
• Excellent customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively support employees, managers, and external vendors.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive employee payroll, benefits, and personnel information.
• PHR or SHRM‑CP certification preferred but not required.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment.

Physical Demands & Abilities

• Ability to remain seated and work at a computer for extended periods while communicating by phone, video conference, and email.
• Ability to perform repetitive data entry and administrative tasks with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to work onsite Monday through Friday, with flexibility to work additional hours during payroll processing periods, open enrollment, audits, or other business needs.

Our Benefits

• Salary range $30.00 - $38.00 /hour, DOE.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off, 48 hours sick leave and 8 paid holidays.
• 401k with 4% matching after 1 year service.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Medical and Dependent Care options.
• Onsite team building.