Salary: $34.14 - $43.91 Hourly
Location : Madison, WI
Job Type: Full time (1.0FTE)
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2024-00561
Department: Administration
Opening Date: 12/20/2024
Closing Date: 1/9/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 1871
Description
Dane County Employee Relations has a current vacancy for a full time (1.0 FTE) Payroll and Benefits Specialist. The Eligibility List created will be used to fill future vacancies over the next six (6) months.
Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence - the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
DEFINITION
This position is a key component of the processing of payroll and benefits for the entire County. This includes auditing, overseeing the payroll entries, processing payroll distribution, benefit administration and reconciliation and various other related functions. This position provides back-up payroll and benefit functions for the Clerk III, other Benefit and Payroll Specialists and the Payroll Manager.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Payroll Administration
Records management for the Payroll function in all forms and areas, ensuring compliance with state and federal law, county ordinance, bargaining unit contracts, employee benefit handbooks and Payroll best practices. This position requires knowledge of Federal Reserve, Internal Revenue Service, and Wisconsin Department of Revenue rules and guidelines. Assists in processing payroll and advises other departments on proper payroll procedure. Also executes a variety of complex payroll duties and acts as lead worker for department by resolving complex issues in the Manager's absence and providing administrative support as needed. Interfaces with all other departments to share information, answer questions, instruct in proper payroll procedure, and clarify information.
Benefit Administration
Administers benefit programs for county employees as assigned. This position communicates with employees to ensure thorough understanding and implementation of benefits, enrollments, changes and terminations. This requires knowledge of COBRA, HIPPA, active and retiree benefits. This position is also responsible for benefit reconciliations.
Education, Experience & Special Requirements
Education and Experience :
Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree, and two years' experience keeping fiscal records which include demonstrated experience in automated payroll processing, benefits administration and double-entry bookkeeping. Experience must include environment with complex policies and regulations. Must also have experience in electronic data processing applications (Microsoft Office and Excel) and demonstrated ability to learn proprietary multi-user software. Experience using ePersonality and or NEOGOV preferred.
Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 - 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Payroll and Benefits:
Knowledge of State, Federal and County regulations, employee benefit handbooks, and bargaining agreements as they relate to the processing of payroll and benefits; Knowledge of the principles and practices of bookkeeping and accounting; knowledge of standard office practices and procedures; knowledge of FLSA guidelines, COBRA and HIPAA requirements; knowledge of State Retirement System and unemployment; Knowledge of Federal and State withholding taxes and bi-weekly tax payments; knowledge of automated payroll and accounting systems; knowledge of benefits administration; knowledge of office procedures and equipment; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to interpret and implement complex policies and regulations; ability to complete financial reports; ability to establish and maintain work and public relationships; ability to use a 10 key calculator proficiently; and ability to use modern office equipment; ability to use Microsoft Office Suite software.
Become a part of the Dane County Team!
We offer a wide range of benefits including fully paid dental and HMO health insurance premiums for full time employees/pro rated for part time employees. The County will also provide contributions towards POS health insurance premiums and short/long term disability. Additional benefits available include long term care, vision coverage, flex spending account and deferred compensation programs paid in full by the employee and a wellness program. For further details on insurance benefits visit
Bilingual Pay: Employees who work in bilingual designated positions receive an additional $2.00 per hour.
Undesirable Hours Premium Pay: Employees may receive undesirable hours pay of $2.00 for anytime worked between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m and for anytime on Saturday and/or Sunday. (not applicable with all employee groups).
Paid Parental Leave: Dane County also provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption of a child.
Caregiver Leave: Dane County offers 80 hours of paid leave to care for an ill family member.
Telecommuting: Telecommuting allows employees to work remotely for all or part of their workweek. Dane County considers telecommuting to be a viable, flexible option when both the employee and the job are suited to such an arrangement. Dane County will permit telecommuting when it benefits the productivity of the employee and their department and if determined by employee's department that telecommuting is not detrimental to either the County or the employee.
Student Loan Forgiveness: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
WI Retirement System: Employees hired after 7-1-11 must be expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours annually to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System when hired.
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Dane County participates in E-Verify. For more information see the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters here" and then the 'here' links to this page:
01
Do you have any combination of training and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree AND two years' experience keeping fiscal records which include demonstrated experience in automated payroll processing, benefits administration and double-entry bookkeeping? Please explain.
02
THIS QUESTION IS GRADED. Please provide an overview of your education and work experience with payroll. In detail, describe a situation where you successfully met tight payroll deadlines without compromising accuracy. How did you manage the workload to ensure timely processing?
03
THIS QUESTION IS GRADED. Please provide an overview of your education and work experience with benefits, including any experience specific to the open enrollment process for employee benefits. In detail, describe a situation in which you had to resolve a complex benefit-related issue for an employee. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
04
THIS QUESTION IS GRADED. The Payroll and Benefits Administration Specialist will be responsible for Countywide communication and answering questions. In detail, share an example of how you communicated complex payroll or benefits information to employees who had little understating of the subject matter. How did you ensure they understood?
Required Question