Payroll & Benefits Specialist - HR Generalist

Job Title: Payroll & Benefits Specialist - HR Generalist

Looking for candidates who reside in the Birmingham, AL area. It does allow for a hybrid work opportunity.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring Rampart IC team members are paid timely and accurately and that benefits programs are administered efficiently and compliantly. As the company’s payroll administrator, you will manage full-cycle, multi-state payroll processing and serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits enrollment and maintenance. This position requires strong technical knowledge, a high level of discretion, and excellent organizational skills to support a rapidly growing team. The position has HR Generalist duties and is responsible for completing a variety of tasks to support the daily operations of the HR department, including but not limited to employee onboarding and new hire administration and offboarding responsibilities. This position reports to the VP of Human Resources.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Consistently model the core values of the company both internally and externally.
• Own processing multi-state, company-wide payroll for both semi-monthly and bi-weekly payroll cycles.

Payroll and Benefits Administration

• Maintain payroll records and ensure accurate input of data related to new hires, terminations, promotions, compensation changes, deductions, stipends, reimbursements, and time tracking.
• Process variable pay items monthly and quarterly, including sales variable compensation, bonuses, and hourly wages.
• Prepares and processes garnishments.
• Ensure all federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and reporting are accurate and timely (including state specific deductions and requirements).
• Prepares withholding and unemployment insurance set-up processes upon hiring employees in new states and maintains appropriate tax percentages by making necessary updates in payroll software.
• Ensures I-9 and E-Verify requirements are executed and compliant; executes E-Verify process.
• Administer and maintain benefits programs via platforms such as Employee Navigator and 401(k) websites, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and 401(k) plans.
• In partnership with Human Resources, prepares for and assists in conducting annual Open Enrollment (ensures all team members complete annual elections, benefits carriers receive accurate information, team members have positive experiences with the employer-sponsored benefits).
• Serve as the point of contact for employees regarding payroll, benefits, payroll & benefit software related questions or concerns.
• Collaborate with Finance and HR to support compliance, audits, and internal reporting.
• Support year-end processes including W-2, ACA reporting, Form 5500, 8955, and benefits renewals.
• Develop in depth understanding of payroll reporting to create ad-hoc reports as needed.
• Complete employment verifications.
• Complete unemployment documentation.
• Assist in educating and ensuring Supervisors and all employees maintain compliance with wage and hour laws.
• Identify and recommend process improvements to enhance payroll and benefits efficiency.
• Protects organization and team members by always maintaining confidentiality of payroll and personnel information.
• Assist with resume review or phone interviewing as needed.

Workers' Compensation Administration

• Administer workers' compensation claims, including reporting workplace injuries and coordinating required documentation.
• Serve as liaison between employees, managers, healthcare providers, and insurance carriers regarding workers' compensation matters.
• Monitor claim status and facilitate communication to support timely resolution and return-to-work processes.
• Maintain accurate records related to workplace incidents and workers' compensation claims.

Employee Onboarding & New Hire Administration

• Coordinate the end-to-end onboarding process for all new hires to ensure a positive employee experience and timely integration into the organization.
• Schedule and monitor pre-employment background checks, drug screenings, and other required employment verifications.
• Track onboarding milestones and proactively communicate hiring status updates to hiring managers, candidates, and internal stakeholders.
• Schedule and facilitate new hire orientation sessions and onboarding activities.
• Process new hire information in ADP, ensuring accuracy of employee records and payroll-related documentation.
• Order, coordinate, and track employee equipment, technology, and other onboarding resources to ensure readiness for start dates.
• Partner with IT and department managers to ensure new employees have necessary system access, equipment, and tools.

General HR Support

• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records in accordance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Assist with implementation and communication of HR programs, initiatives, and employee engagement activities.
• Coordinate employee celebrations.
• Manage ordering, distribution, and tracking of employee gifts for anniversaries, holidays, birthdays, and special occasions.
• Support HR compliance efforts by maintaining personnel files and required employment documentation.
• Generate HR reports and track key onboarding, hiring, and employee data metrics.
• Assist with recruiting, talent acquisition, and other HR projects as needed.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve HR processes, employee experience, and operational efficiency.
• Perform any other related duties as required by leadership.

Offboarding & Termination Procedures

• Prepare termination documentation and process employee status changes within HRIS systems.
• Coordinate collection of company property, equipment, and system access removal.
• Ensure final pay, benefits notifications, COBRA information, and other separation-related requirements are completed accurately and timely.

QUALIFICATIONS / EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s or associate’s degree in business, Accounting, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in multi-state payroll administration.
• Experience using ADP for payroll and Employee Navigator for benefits administration strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience handling payroll for teams with variable pay structures, such as commissions and bonuses.
• Strong understanding of payroll tax regulations and compliance.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Experience working under pressure and meeting tight deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and payroll software platforms.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Body Positions: Regularly required sitting, standing, and walking for pro-longed periods of time.
• Body Movements: Full range of body movements including the use of hands and fingers, to handle or feel objects, including computer equipment and peripherals, and bending, reaching, lifting, and crouching.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Analytical: Able to synthesize payroll and benefits data effectively.
• Problem Solving: Identify and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively and clearly.
• Confidentiality: Must consistently demonstrate sound judgment regarding sensitive employee data.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer monitor and/or operating a keyboard.
• Work may include extending periods of time standing and sitting.
• Work will hybrid, working from home and from office as needed and determined by Team Member and supervisor.