Grade Level & Salary Range: I08|$57,057.00 - $64,189.50

Location: This position is based in our Hampden, Maine facility with flexibility for teleworking 2 days per week.

Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), Monday to Friday

FLSA Designation: Exempt (Salaried)

Closing Date: February 24, 2023

Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs. Retirement with up to 6% matching contribution. Three weeks of vacation, personal and sick time off benefits, and much more!

Your Role in Our Mission:

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for administering all payroll functions and benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and 403b plan. The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is the primary resource for all staff inquiries related to payroll and benefits, upholding the highest standard of customer service, care, and support. The Payroll and Benefits Specialist will also provide support for the HR (Human Resources) team that enhances the overall employee experience.

In This Position, You Will:

Focus on Customer Service

• Respond to employee requests and questions mailed to the shared HR email address; escalate requests to HR Manager and Employee Experience Specialist as needed.
• Respond to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes, and other general inquiries.
• Support employee education and understanding of total rewards with an emphasis on benefit education.
• Coordinate workflows and procedures for activities and tasks with shared responsibilities.

Administer Compensation & Benefits Programs

• Prepare bi-weekly payroll for review and submission by HR Manager.
• Process required documents for and through payroll and insurance providers to ensure accurate record-keeping and proper deductions.
• Administer benefit plans, including health and dental care, ancillary insurance, retirement, workers' compensation, and other benefits.

Enjoy Compliance & Administration

• Review, track, and document compliance with mandatory and non-mandatory training, continuing education, and work assessments. This may include safety training, anti-harassment training, professional licensure, aptitude exams, and certifications.
• Support legal compliance by monitoring and implementing applicable human resource federal and state requirements.
• Conduct, record, and maintain qualified driver files; maintain DOT drug randoms program.
• Reconcile benefit invoices and enrollment statements.
• Reconcile quarterly and year-end tax filings, including 941’s, W-2s, and 1095 forms.

Assist with Recruitment & Onboarding

• Help with new-hire procedures, including organizing employee orientation, creating new employee files, administering employee handbooks, and ensuring all necessary paperwork is correctly filled out and submitted to appropriate persons.
• Maintain physical and electronic personnel records.
• Support maintenance and administration of DOT-qualified driver program and alcohol and drug testing program.

Oversee Wellness Programming

• Support development and implementation of employee well-being sessions and events.
• Create and distribute wellness and benefit communication materials.

Milestones of Success:

In the first 30 days, you will:

• Meet with Good Shepherd leadership team members and participate in orientation activities.
• Explore the Paylocity HRIS system to create building blocks for success.
• Shadow the HR Manager through payroll processing and benefit enrollment activities.
• Utilize shared tools and technologies to understand better how the organization collaborates and partners together.
• Start reviewing Good Shepherd Food Bank plan provisions and vendors.

In the first 90 days, you will:

• Start processing the Good Shepherd Food Bank payroll with support from the HR Manager.
• Field some customer service-related questions in the HR inbox and respond to staff requests as appropriate.
• Become familiar with the organization’s record-keeping systems and personnel records.
• Continue learning about the organization’s benefit plans and contracts and build expertise.
• Attend and participate in HR team meetings.
• Start enrolling staff members in benefits with support from the HR Manager.
• Become familiar with onboarding processes and support new hire orientations.

In the first 6 months, you will:

• Independently process payroll.
• Have a solid understanding of the HRIS system and other third-party portals and technology utilized by the HR team.
• Respond to staff questions and requests for information in the HR inbox.
• Independently enroll staff members in benefits and process benefit changes.
• Be comfortable explaining the Good Shepherd Food Bank plan provisions and benefits enrollment process.
• Begin learning how to support the HR team and the HR functions of the organization.
• Learn more about the organization’s culture and values.

In the first 12 months, you will:

• Be able to problem-solve complex issues related to payroll and benefits.
• Act as an expert resource for staff to support understanding of the organization’s total rewards.
• Provide frequent communication updates to staff regarding their benefits, payroll, and other compliance-related topics.
• Assist with year-end reporting towards gaining expertise.
• Be an invaluable member of the HR team, supporting and coordinating work as needed.

At Good Shepherd Food Bank, we believe in and uphold these Core Values:

Partnership

• Listening to understand and learn from others; conveying ideas and facts using language that is tailored to the reader or audience; grasping information written in English and applying the information to work activities.
• Building constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect; Promoting cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and deliverables; Influencing others to build commitment to the organization's mission and strategic objectives.

Agility

• Adapting to changing needs, conditions, and responsibilities; Responding positively to change and embracing and using new practices or values to accomplish goals and solve problems.
• Managing change in a way that reduces the concern and confusion experienced by others, clarifying priorities when leading others through change.
• Maintaining work effectiveness in new situations and using data to make decisions.

Inclusion

• Acknowledging our personal role and responsibility in conflict situations; Encouraging everyone to bring difficult issues into the open for discussion; Offering an open exploration of differing ideas and solutions.
• Demonstrating compassion, care, and consideration for others in all interactions.

As a Successful Candidate, You Have:

• Boundless optimism, an appreciation for change, and the ability to blend care and kindness with policy and procedures.
• Three years’ experience in HR and/or payroll and benefits administration.
• Extensive knowledge of employee benefits and applicable Maine state laws.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.