Human Resources Payroll and Benefit Specialist
Ferrum, VA
Full Time
Human Resources
Experienced
Department: Human Resources
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary: $45,000–$50,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications
Reports To: Director of Human Resources
Who We Are?
Ferrum College is a private liberal arts college nestled in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive campus where employees are valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact on the student experience.
The Human Resources team serves as a trusted partner across the College by delivering exceptional service, ensuring compliance, and fostering a positive workplace culture. We are seeking a detail-oriented HR professional who is passionate about payroll, benefits administration, and delivering outstanding customer service.
What We're Looking For
Ferrum College is seeking an experienced Human Resources Payroll & Benefits Specialist to manage the administration of payroll-related employee data, benefits, leave programs, and HR records throughout the employee lifecycle.
This position plays a critical role in maintaining accurate HR and payroll records, administering employee benefits, managing leave programs, processing HR-related invoices, and ensuring compliance with college policies and applicable employment laws. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with employees, managers, Payroll, Finance, and external benefit partners to deliver exceptional service while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and accuracy.
Key Responsibilities
You are a highly organized and detail-oriented Human Resources professional who enjoys ensuring that employees are paid accurately, receive excellent benefits support, and have a positive employment experience.
You thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy solving problems, and have the ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and integrity. You communicate effectively, provide exceptional customer service, and are committed to accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Minimum Qualifications
At Ferrum College, you'll join a collaborative team dedicated to supporting our faculty, staff, and student employees. You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping create an exceptional employee experience while supporting the College's mission.
We offer:
Interested applicants should submit:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
Ferrum College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary: $45,000–$50,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications
Reports To: Director of Human Resources
Who We Are?
Ferrum College is a private liberal arts college nestled in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive campus where employees are valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact on the student experience.
The Human Resources team serves as a trusted partner across the College by delivering exceptional service, ensuring compliance, and fostering a positive workplace culture. We are seeking a detail-oriented HR professional who is passionate about payroll, benefits administration, and delivering outstanding customer service.
What We're Looking For
Ferrum College is seeking an experienced Human Resources Payroll & Benefits Specialist to manage the administration of payroll-related employee data, benefits, leave programs, and HR records throughout the employee lifecycle.
This position plays a critical role in maintaining accurate HR and payroll records, administering employee benefits, managing leave programs, processing HR-related invoices, and ensuring compliance with college policies and applicable employment laws. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with employees, managers, Payroll, Finance, and external benefit partners to deliver exceptional service while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and accuracy.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain employee records from onboarding through separation, ensuring accurate HRIS and payroll data.
- Process employee status changes, compensation updates, tax changes, deductions, and terminations.
- Administer employee benefits, including enrollments, qualifying life events, and benefit terminations.
- Manage Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), short-term disability, and other leave programs, including eligibility, documentation, communication, and return-to-work coordination.
- Coordinate annual Open Enrollment activities, including employee communications, meetings, enrollment processing, and system updates.
- Process, reconcile, and maintain all Human Resources-related invoices, including benefits, leave administration, and background checks.
- Serve as the primary Human Resources contact for payroll and benefits-related questions.
- Coordinate with insurance carriers, brokers, retirement plan providers, and benefit vendors to resolve employee issues and maintain accurate enrollment records.
- Handle payroll data entry for student employees and assist with payroll-related processing.
- Maintain confidential employee records and support HR compliance, audits, and record retention requirements.
- Assist with onboarding, orientation, offboarding, and other Human Resources initiatives.
- Collaborate with the Human Resources team to improve processes and leverage technology to enhance operational efficiency.
- Provide administrative support and perform special projects and other duties as assigned.
You are a highly organized and detail-oriented Human Resources professional who enjoys ensuring that employees are paid accurately, receive excellent benefits support, and have a positive employment experience.
You thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy solving problems, and have the ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and integrity. You communicate effectively, provide exceptional customer service, and are committed to accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Psychology, or a related field;
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in payroll administration and Human Resources operations.
- Strong knowledge of FMLA and other leave administration requirements.
- Experience processing payroll changes and maintaining employee records.
- Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive information.
- Experience with payroll systems such as ADP, Paycom, Paycor, or similar platforms.
- Experience working with HRIS systems and benefits administration platforms.
- Experience in higher education or a similarly complex organizational environment.
- SHRM-CP, PHR, or other Human Resources certification preferred.
At Ferrum College, you'll join a collaborative team dedicated to supporting our faculty, staff, and student employees. You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping create an exceptional employee experience while supporting the College's mission.
We offer:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, retirement, paid leave, and educational benefits in accordance with college policies.
- Professional development and continuing education opportunities.
- A collaborative, supportive, and mission-driven work environment.
- The opportunity to contribute to initiatives that enhance employee engagement, operational excellence, and organizational success.
Interested applicants should submit:
- Letter of Interest
- Resume
- Completed Employment Application
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
Ferrum College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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