Payroll and Benefits Specialist Full time position - 40 hours per week Must be located in Minot, North Dakota or Minneapolis, Minnesota We offer: Competitive PTO 12 Paid Holidays 20% Rent Discount Volunteer Time Off each Quarter Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/AD&D Benefits – 1st of Month after Start Date Stock Purchase Plan 401k match up to 5% match Tuition Reimbursement Centerspace was founded in Minot, North Dakota, in 1970. You can find our corporate support offices located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and in Minot North Dakota, along with onsite operations in eight states. From Denver, CO to Minneapolis, MN, our company continues to grow throughout the Midwest, proudly providing apartment homes to thousands of residents, extending our vision to be the premier provider of apartment homes in vibrant communities by focusing on integrity and serving others. Centerspace is built around our employees. Our Mission and Vision unites our employees as one team. Summary The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll and administration of team member benefits. This role handles processing the company’s bi-weekly payroll and provides integral support in managing existing benefits programs. Collects, verifies, and stores organizational payroll and benefits data. Processes changes in HRIS, which include updates to employment statuses, exemptions or withholdings, compensation, bank information, and benefits enrollment. Ensures payroll and benefits compliance with all legal requirements and government reporting regulations. Expectations This position will follow established policies and procedures to complete routine assignments. Able to follow instructions, prioritize duties, and comply with deadlines. Generally expected to be self-directed once trained. A high level of confidentiality is required, as well as the ability to work effectively with a variety of audiences. Attention to detail and professional communication skills are required. Handles moderately complex issues and problems and refers more complex issues to higher-level staff. Possesses solid working knowledge of subject matter. Essential Duties&Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Payroll Bi-weekly payroll administration and support. Handles timesheets, processes payroll, and runs payroll reports. Reconciles payroll-related general ledger and prepares reports summarizing payroll-related accounts. Verifies and reconciles payroll-related tax filings with applicable federal, state, and local agencies. Handles wage garnishments following relevant rules, regulations, and laws, ensuring accurate processing in payroll and proper communication with the appropriate agency or department. Processes off-cycle payroll, including stock payroll, as needed. Processes promotions, transfers, pay adjustments. Comply with all legal requirements and government reporting regulations regarding payroll processing. Understands and follows laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Equal Pay Act (EPA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and individual state regulations regarding overtime calculations, and employment/tax laws affecting payroll. Monitors any applicable law changes. Supports payroll audit inquiries to ensure accuracy of data, correct discrepancies and or missing data. Recommends payroll process improvements. Responds to inquiries regarding payroll issues or concerns and resolves payroll related issues with all levels of team members and management providing a high level of customer service and confidentiality. Benefits Manages benefit enrollment activity to include new hire, qualifying life event changes, and termination of benefits for departing team members. Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and team members on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes, and other general inquiries. Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information. Supports payroll to ensure benefits changes are identified and completed within HRIS. Audits monthly invoices against payroll deductions and online enrollment statuses to check for discrepancies and complete billing. Performs annual compliance to include 5500, PCORI fees, NDT, and ACA per federal, state, and local requirements. Manages the annual benefits open enrollment process including coordination of timeline with vendors, brokers and TPA’s; delivering Open Enrollment information meetings; manages communications and benefits materials; assists with enrollment questions, close process, file transmission and audit for completion. Manages Leave of Absence program for all team members in compliance with local, state, and federal leave legislation. Effectively interpret FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences/disabilities to team members and managers. Files Workers Compensation claims and offers support and guidance to team members and leaders regarding the Workers Compensation process. Manages Workers Compensation annual audit. Maintains strong and compliant employee benefit files and benefits recordkeeping. Maintains professional and technical knowledge and stays abreast of the ERISA and the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) compliance changes. Other duties may be assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Travel: Travel is not expected but could occur as the result of occasional business needs. Equipment Issued: Standard computer package. Qualifications Education and/or Experience: associate or bachelor’s degree in business administration or related or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred. 2-4 years of hands-on multi-state payroll and benefits administration. Knowledge of US tax laws related to State, Local, and Provincial withholding taxes. HRIS experience with UKG is highly preferred. Certificates and/or Licenses: FPC or CPP certification preferred but not required. Detail-oriented, strong analytical skills and an ability to detect inconsistencies in data, and an ability to work with minimal supervision. High proficiency in Microsoft Excel is strongly preferred. Computer Skills: Centerspace utilizes Microsoft 365, Teams, and SharePoint. This position will also use various software related to talent and culture (human resources), benefits, and talent acquisition. The ability to effectively use these programs and software is necessary to be successful in this role. Exposure to a fast-paced, multi-task work environment is a plus. Highly responsible with the ability to meet deadlines with a profound sense of urgency. Ability to work well in a highly collaborative team environment. Hybrid work environment: standard office setting. Work permitted from home. Centerspace Values: 6 Keys Centerspace expects team members to adhere to our 6 Keys, which outline the expectations in place for all team members regarding the attitudes and behaviors displayed while doing the work assigned in any position. Do the Right Thing: Integrity, ethics, and accountability guide all our decisions, with a laser focus on delivering results. One Team: We have one mission, one vision, one family, one team. Collaborate. Empower. Communicate. Serve Others: Respect everyone. Build trust. Listen. Deliver outstanding customer service. Develop our communities. Dare to Win: Be courageous. I seek continuous improvement. Be bold. Speak up. Exceed expectations. Embrace Change: Be flexible. Innovate the future. Thrive. Encourage and reward creativity. Take Action: Lead the market. Be proactive. Execute the strategy. Capitalize on opportunity. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Additional details regarding competencies and other duties are available upon request. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of this position. “Centerspace is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: Centerspace is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Centerspace are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, […], family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Centerspace will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on characteristics. Centerspace encourages applicants of all ages.”