Payroll and Benefits Specialist

About the role

This position serves as the Payroll and Benefits Specialist for the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains. Reporting to the HR Director, this role is full-time and exempt.

Responsibilities

• Process end-to-end payroll accurately and on schedule for all staff.
• Review and verify payroll data, including hours, earnings, deductions, and grant-funding allocations.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage laws.
• Reconcile payroll data in coordination with Finance and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Maintain payroll records and support audit readiness in coordination with the HR Director.
• Respond to payroll-related questions from staff promptly and professionally.
• Conduct internal payroll audits and identify and resolve discrepancies independently, escalating material issues to the HR Director.
• Cookbook employee benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations.
• Absorb employee benefits questions and issue resolution.
• Communicate directly with benefits providers to resolve concerns and ensure accurate coverage.
• Support open enrollment processes and distribute benefit information to all staff.
• Absorb compliance tracking related to ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA.
• Process and track employee leave requests including FMLA, ADA accommodations, and other leave types.
• Provide guidance to employees and supervisors on leave procedures in coordination with the HR Director.
• Maintain accurate leave records and coordinate with payroll for proper tracking.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records in Human Resources Information System (HRIS) platforms.
• Assist with offboarding processes, including final pay coordination and benefits termination.
• Support recruitment coordination on an occasional basis as directed by the HR Director, including scheduling interviews or preparing offer letters.
• Absorb onboarding documentation and I-9 verification on an as-needed basis.
• Provide general HR reporting and compliance documentation support to the HR Director as needed.
• Provide brief front desk backup coverage on an occasional basis when both the HR Assistant and primary front desk staff are unavailable.
• Ensure HR and payroll records meet federal and state recordkeeping requirements.
• Support compliance with grant-related HR documentation requirements as directed by the HR Director.
• Maintain confidentiality of all employee and payroll data in accordance with organizational policy and applicable law.
• As required by South Dakota law (SDCL 26-8A-3) and BGCA national standards, this position carries mandatory reporting obligations for suspected child abuse or neglect.

Requirements

• Average 2 to 4 years of experience in payroll, benefits administration, or HR support.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of federal and South Dakota state employment and wage laws.
• Proficiency with payroll and HRIS systems such as ADP, Paychex, Paylocity, or BambooHR.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and recordkeeping.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information.
• Effective communication and customer service skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Skills

• Strong alignment with the Club mission and values.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment, consistent with BGCA national standards and our commitment to youth safety.
• HR or payroll certification such as PHR, SHRM-CP, or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
• Experience working in a nonprofit or youth-serving organization.
• Familiarity with nonprofit funding structures and grant-related payroll allocations.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus.

Benefits

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to operate general office equipment including PC, telephone, and copier.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must have the mental and physical capacity to observe, interact, and communicate with youth, staff, volunteers, and parents at the Club.

Pay

Salary range: $45,000 - $55,000 annually

Schedule

Full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM