Payroll & Leave Specialist

Overview

A healthcare organization in Eastern Connecticut is seeking a full-time Payroll & Leave Specialist to manage payroll processing, timekeeping, HRIS records, benefit invoice reconciliation, leaves of absence, workplace accommodations, and worker’s compensation issues.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday with a flexible start time between 8:00am and 4:30pm EST.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll accurately and on schedule, including reviewing timesheets, earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, and direct deposit changes.
• Maintain and update employee data and payroll records in the HRIS system, ensuring accuracy, integrity, confidentiality, and security.
• Administer leaves of absence from initial notice through return-to-work, including completion of State of Connecticut paid leave paperwork, tracking benefit continuation payments, and obtaining ongoing status updates.
• Reconcile and prepare invoices for payment related to employee benefit plans such as medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, long-term disability, life insurance, and voluntary benefits.
• Track workplace injuries, coordinate reporting with the worker’s compensation carrier, and complete all required OSHA reporting.
• Manage employment verifications including NHSC and other requests, ensuring proper releases are in place.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in payroll processing, leave and benefit administration, or human resources.
• At least 2 years of experience working in a hybrid work environment to qualify for remote work.
• Minimum of 3 years experience using Paylocity or Paycom payroll systems.

Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of payroll practices, wage and hour laws, and federal and state employment laws including FMLA, ADA, worker’s compensation, and Connecticut paid leave.
• Experience with payroll requirements in states beyond Connecticut is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with payroll platforms such as Paylocity, ADP, or similar systems.
• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, organization, and recordkeeping.
• Strong ethical decision-making and fairness.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills to clearly explain processes to employees and managers.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to self-manage and make sound decisions.

Compensation and Benefits

• Flexible schedules.
• Competitive salary.
• Generous paid time off including 3 weeks vacation, 4 floating holidays, and 10 sick days annually.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with 6% employer contribution.
• Paid life and disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Additional voluntary benefits.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Location

Eastern Connecticut, with remote work eligibility based on hybrid work experience.