Payroll Specialist - Compass Housing Alliance

ABOUT THE POSITION:The Payroll Specialist is an important link to ensure quality services both internally and externally. This position is responsible for processing accurate and timely payroll information, reviewing and performing payroll audits, and serving as a point of contact for questions about payment policies and procedures.The Specialist ensures positive employee relations through proactive problem solving, with a focus on customer service, and on-going process improvement. The Specialist liaises with Human Resources, IT, managers, union representatives, and other departments to ensure quality, timely, and accurate reporting, and documentation.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:Compass Housing Alliance develops and provides essential services and affordable housing for individuals and families experiencing housing instability in the greater Puget Sound region. We envision a world in which every person lives in a safe and caring community. Compass offers an open, supportive, and challenging work environment committed to promoting the dignity and well-being of each person that we serve. We consider the diversity of the staff, guests, residents, and community partners to be an important asset. We recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to the organization. Compass is proud to be an affiliate agency of Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW). LCSNW partners with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope by providing support services in key areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, refugees, and support to aging adults and people with disabilities to live independent lives. To learn more about the agency visit www.compasshousingalliance.org.

LOCATION: South Lake Union Neighborhood (Seattle, WA)

**This position offers a location hybrid model with at-home and in-office days

REPORTS TO: Director of Human Resources

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm (with some flexibility to adjust)

SALARY RANGE: $25.00-29.00 per hour DOE

MEAL PERIOD: Unpaid

FULL TIME BENEFITS INCLUDED: Unlimited Orca Transportation Pass, Medical/Prescription/Vision, Dental, $500 Health Flexible Spending Account 4 Weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO) & 11 Paid Holidays, Retirement Plan, Employee Assistance Program

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. The employee in this position must be able to read, write, and understand English.

Payroll Administration

·         Compile payroll data, process and transmit payroll in an accurate, timely manner in accordance with established payroll processing calendars, and state and federal regulations. Assist managers, timekeepers, and schedulers with systems to ensure accurate time accounting for all employees.

·         Coordinate end to end payroll functions using agency software, including calculating employee paychecks, withholding taxes, and any other deductions, as well as maintaining accurate payroll records.

·         Collect banking information for direct deposit setup and initiate deposits on paydays. Detect and process issues with uncollected payroll.

·         Partner with Human Resources team on coordination and accurate entry of salaries, increases, stipends, deductions, benefits costs, and other pay related data.

·         Audit, monitor and initiate accurate Retirement 403(b) contributions for employees.

·         Process and monitor garnishment orders and other government mandates that impact payroll specifications.

·         Keep abreast of the payroll processing system and changes in wage or tax laws and apply changes as appropriate.

·         Ensure payroll reports are extracted and downloaded, and that data is securely and confidentially maintained.

·         Generate, complete and process quarterly Worker’s Comp filings with the state.

·         Enter and extract data from HRIS and Accounting systems for reporting, compliance, and metrics purposes.

·         Process off cycle or physical paychecks, as needed.

·         Respond to requests, questions, and inquiries in a timely manner, applying excellent internal and external customer service skills.

·         Liaise with internal and external departments or functions (HR, IT, government agencies, retirement and benefits vendors etc.), as necessary.

·         Assist in the management of HR-related content on the OneCompass Intranet.

·         Provide general guidance to managers and staff on payroll processes and procedures.

·         Complete special projects and perform other duties, as assigned.

·         Process in and outgoing payroll related mail and invoices, including state unemployment files and remittances, and other tax agencies as required.

·         Complete timely and accurate employment verifications for former and current employees.

·         Manage employment records retention requirements in relation to payroll functions in accordance with employment law.

Leadership

·         Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the work. All employees are expected to make efforts in their work and in their conduct to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level.

·         Keep direct supervisor promptly and fully informed of all problems or unusual matters of significance.

·         Take prompt corrective action where necessary and appropriate or suggest alternative courses of action.

·         Handle conflict situations proactively and effectively, modeling good conflict resolution skills.

·         Maintain a favorable working relationship with all other agency employees to foster and promote a cooperative and harmonious working climate.

·         Project a favorable image of the organization to promote its aims and objectives and foster and enhance public recognition and acceptance of all its areas of endeavor.

·         Perform all duties and responsibilities in a timely and effective manner in accordance with established agency policies to achieve the overall objectives of this position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

·         Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in payroll processing, including payroll laws and regulations, including federal and state tax laws.

·         Ability to function well in a high-paced and, at times, stressful environment.

·         Strong attention to detail.

·         Strength in both following and improving upon procedures. 

·          

·         Ability to read, analyze, and interpret tax and retirement account documentation, and proactively integrate into organizational practice.

·         Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals for purposes of calculating correct rates of pay and taxes.

·         Ability to set and maintain boundaries in a professional manner.

·         Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality, tactfulness, and respect for staff from diverse backgrounds and identities.

·         Model sound interpersonal boundaries and emotional intelligence.

·         Promote a team environment that values, encourages, and supports differences.

·         Relate openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people, while valuing their differences.

·         Strong problem solving, time and project management skills are required to be successful in this role.

·         Work independently and as part of a team, particularly to exercise sound decision making in the absence of supervision, with strong collaboration skills.

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to communicate effectively about technical problems and solutions.

·         Aptitude for learning new technology skills with Microsoft products and other internet-based software.

·         Ability to learn new functions on office equipment and devices (printer, scanner, projector, mailing machine, copier).

EDUCATION
AND/OR EXPERIENCE

·         At least 2-years of experience working in a position with payroll processing responsibilities, with emphasis on quality customer service, required.

·         At least 2-years of data entry experience, ideally with proficiency and accuracy concerning high volumes of data, required.

·         Experience working in databases (HRIS and/or ATS) such as Oracle Taleo, Abila MIP, or Paylocity, desired.

·         Awareness and/or training around issues of equity, intersectionality, and belonging, desired.

·         Familiarity with topics of housing instability, mental health, substance use, sexual assault, and/or domestic violence. Experience working in an environment where language may be a barrier, desired.

·         Valid WA driver’s license, proof of car insurance, and a driving record that meets Compass standards, required.

·         Work experience is a key factor for success in this role. In addition, success in this role requires a passion for knowledge and drive for continuing professional development or education. A degree or certification in finance, business, public administration, human resources, or related field would be a complement to the required experience.

PHYSICAL
DEMANDS

·         The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

·         The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger/ handle/feel/type, and reach with hands and arms. Requires the ability to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry supplies up to 20 pounds.

·         Work takes place in an office environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, walking to various work areas, going up and down stairs, and standing are required.

Mental efforts like attention to detail, interacting with others in-person and through email, using critical thinking skills to strategize, develop and implement business plans, create, and edit documents, listen, and participate verbally at meetings. 

In compliance with the ADA Amendment Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department via phone at 206-474-1100 or via e-mail at HRInfo@compasshousingalliance.org.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is normal. Compass programs are housed within a human services environment in the Greater Seattle area. Our diverse client/guest/resident community includes many single, formerly homeless adults who lack any family support system. Compounding the constraints of poverty, our community includes individuals who are physically and/or mentally disabled, persons living with AIDS, those who struggle with chemical dependencies, veterans, and vulnerable, elderly adults. Working at Compass will mean that you will be in close proximity to the people we serve.

This position is eligible for occasional remote work per manager approval.

Compass facilities are monitored with camera surveillance equipment for safety and security purposes. The cameras will generally be utilized only in public areas where there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Compass Housing Alliance maintains practices and policies that eliminate barriers to equal employment opportunity and strives to ensure that applicants and employees are treated without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, gender identity, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, political ideology, sensory, physical or mental disability, caste status, the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability and all other groups protected by law. Compass’s policies and practices are intended to promote diversity and equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment, such as: recruitment, selection, compensation, hours of work, work schedules, benefits, training, retention, promotions, demotions, transfers, advertising, layoff, and termination. All employees of the agency are required to comply with the provisions of these policies. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.