Payroll and Benefits Assistant

Payroll and Benefits Assistant JobID: 15133 + Position Type: Secretarial/Clerical/ Payroll + Date Posted: 1/23/2026 + Location: ELSC + Date Available: 2025-2026 u00a0u00a0 CLASSIFICATION: $23.22 per hour - 1.0 FTE 12-month position / 261 days a year. Hourly Non-Administrative Meet and Confer Work Group H - All benefits in accordance with work agreement. LOCATION: Educational Leadership & Support Center Reports to Payroll and Benefits Manager Department hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday except for designated weeks in June/July that are 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday. Occasional overtime may be required during peak payroll periods or to meet project deadlines. SUMMARY: The Payroll and Benefits Assistant supports Payroll Specialists and the Benefits team in ensuring the accurate and efficient processing of bi-weekly payroll and employee benefits. This role involves verifying submissions, resolving discrepancies related to hours worked, leave taken, and benefits eligibility while assisting employees with enrollment, direct deposit, external verifications, and providing guidance on utilizing payroll and benefits resources. The assistant is responsible for managing employee life cycle changes, auditing data, and ensuring confidentiality and accuracy in payroll and benefits-related tasks. Key responsibilities include addressing inquiries, completing documentation and calculations, data entry, and supporting event coordination and special projects. The position requires strong customer service skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments. KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: + Compile and verify employee payroll and/or benefits data. + Calculate, enter, and maintain system data with awareness of IRS regulations, union contracts, work agreements, and Board of Education policies. + Process employee change requests using School ERP Pro, Time Clock Plus, Employee Navigator, Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications, specific vendor sites, and other relevant applications. + Research and resolve discrepancies to ensure accuracy and compliance. + Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess and address cross-departmental impacts. + Conduct thorough audits of reports and system data, maintaining a high level of attention to detail. + Respond promptly to phone, in-person, and email inquiries, providing accurate and helpful payroll and benefits related information. + Guide employees in utilizing payroll and benefits resources and applications effectively. + Monitor HR new hire orientations to ensure data has been received for direct deposit and taxes. + Interpret benefit eligibility and determine related enrollments. + Complete documentation for external entity verifications as requested. + Participate in training district employees and co-workers as needed. + Adapt easily to shifting priorities and complete tasks within established timeframes. + Scan, upload, and maintain files in an organized manner. + Assist with the setup and takedown of special events and meetings. + Complete other duties and projects as assigned. KEY DEPARTMENT EXPECTATIONS: Customer Service: Providing efficient and professional service is critical, as employees and vendors will rely on clear and timely communication regarding payroll and benefits. Dependability, Prioritization, and Time Management: Being punctual and dependable helps ensure work is completed, deadlines are met, and workload distribution remains equitable. Role may face competing demands, so being able to prioritize tasks is important for completing routine work and handling issues as they arise. Attention to Detail: Given the complexity of payroll and benefits administration, accuracy is essential to avoid costly mistakes or miscommunications. It is important to maintain a high expectation for accountability to district employees. Analytical Skills: Payroll and benefits management often requires problem-solving, troubleshooting, and adapting to new regulations or internal changes. Strong critical thinking is essential for identifying and resolving discrepancies or inefficiencies. Ownership of Responsibilities: Taking ownership goes beyond simply completing assigned tasks-it's about taking initiative and demonstrating a sense of accountability for the success of the team and the department as a whole. Actively looking for opportunities to help, whether it's volunteering for additional tasks, supporting colleagues during busy times, or stepping in when something needs attention creates a dynamic environment where everyone pitches in. Ownership also involves identifying areas for improvement, suggesting solutions, and taking the lead on initiatives that improve department performance. Flexibility: The ability to adapt to changing priorities is crucial in a dynamic environment, where last-minute changes can occur in payroll or benefits processing. Collaboration: Working well both independently and with other team members is key to ensuring smooth workflow and productively resolving problems that may arise in a team setting. Working effectively with other departments ensures seamless integration of payroll and benefits processes. This involves sharing information, troubleshooting issues, and coordinating educational efforts across different areas to support overall organizational goals and maintain smooth operations. Relationship Building: Building good relationships with employees, vendors, and the public helps foster trust and ensures effective communication. Clear Communication: Whether explaining complex details or answering routine questions, clarity and comprehension in both written and spoken communication will be vital. Professionalism: Upholding confidentiality and exhibiting a professional demeanor promotes a culture of trust and ensures sensitive payroll and benefits information is handled appropriately. Inclusivity: Supporting an environment of respect and inclusion is important to creating a positive work culture and allowing all employees to feel valued and heard. Willingness to Work Beyond Standard Hours: Demonstrate the ability to manage workloads that may occasionally require working beyond the standard 40 hours to meet deadlines, ensure accuracy, and complete essential tasks. This includes being proactive in managing time to ensure the work gets done, even during peak periods or when unexpected challenges arise, while maintaining a positive attitude and a focus on quality. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each key responsibility and expectation satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE: + Three or more years of experience with customer service and progressive administrative responsibilities. + Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting or related field preferred but not required. + Strong computer skills including accurate data entry, professional use of email, and proficient utilization of Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite products. + Experience using Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS); payroll and benefit systems preferred. + Proven experience working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities with frequent interruptions. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, understand, and communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written form. Ability to effectively write reports, training documents, and communications to varied stakeholder groups and respond to questions from staff. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to perform basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, decimals and fractions. Ability to use formulas, spreadsheets, calculators, and databases. Ability to assist staff in implementing these mathematical concepts and tools. REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve problems effectively. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel objects, tools or controls; talk and hear. The employee frequently must squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and forward 0-24 inches and on occasion up to 36 inches. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk more than the average person while performing the duties of this job. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 0-12 feet and occasionally up to 20 feet, such as instructional materials, equipment, desks, chairs, and boxes. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables and carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus while conducting classes or working with computers, written materials, reports, assessment data, etc. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet but depends on the volume of employees and conversations occurring at any given time. The position requires the commitment of professional working hours that may require the employee to extend beyond a typical 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. workday. The employee will work in different areas of the district including in/at desks, on or near the floor, standing, in movement while instructing or assisting others, etc. The employee will usually work in indoor temperatures. The information contained in this job description follows the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. The Cedar Rapids Community School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Federal law obligates an employer to provide reasonable accommodation(s) for the known disabilities of applicants, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the employer. If you require accommodation in the hiring process, contact Human Resources at or 319-558-2747.

Created: 2026-01-29