Payroll and Benefits Specialist

New Year - New Career!

Join our team as a Payroll and Benefits Specialist (entry or advanced level) within the Division of Personnel Management. We are looking for a talented individual to assist with payroll and benefits processing for employees working at Southern Wisconsin Center (SWC) in Union Grove, WI. This is one of seven facilities managed by the Department of Health Services (DHS).

This full-time position will be headquartered at SWC in Union Grove and may work remotely up to 2 days per week after the training period. We offer a team-oriented atmosphere with daytime working hours, Monday - Friday. The schedule may vary based on training and operational needs.

As an employee of the State of Wisconsin, you'll also have access to an amazing benefits package, including:

• 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays and ample sick time. 
• Top rated health plan options starting at $42/month for single plans and $104/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service. 
• Premium pension plan with at least a 6.95% employer match in 2025. Plus, a tax advantaged supplemental retirement savings plan which allows you to save money directly from your paycheck for retirement. Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package!  
• Several flex spending accounts: medical, dependent care, commuter, parking and High Deductible Health Savings.
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program employer.

Position Summary

In this role, you will perform payroll and benefits activities for the staff at SWC. Duties include processing biweekly payroll; coordinating and processing employee benefit services; managing leave accounting; interpreting and applying wage and benefit provisions; providing direction to staff and managers on time and attendance and providing expert advice and counsel to management and staff on a variety of payroll and benefits related issues. Additionally, you may assist as needed with worker’s compensation duties, including managing claims.

These positions require a high level of confidentiality, discretion, attention to detail, time management and professionalism.

Salary Information

• The starting pay is between $24.75 and $30.00 per hour (approximately between $51,500 and $62,400 per year), depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits. 
• A 12-month probationary period is required.
• The position will be filled at either the Payroll and Benefits Specialist, pay schedule/range 81/05, or the Payroll and Benefits Specialist – Advanced level, pay schedule/range 81/04. The level of the position and salary will be determined based on the qualifications of the selected candidate at the time of hire. 
• Pay for current or former state employees will be set based on the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction. 

Job Details

• All applicants who may be appointed to this position will be required to allow DOA to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.
• All staff at SWC will be required to receive a TB test, which will be administered by medical personnel approved by the facility prior to their start date. 
• DOA does not sponsor work visas for this position, thus, in compliance with federal law, selected candidates will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire.

Qualifications

At a minimum, you’ll need the following:

• Experience working in one of the following roles: payroll, benefits, fiscal support, or Human Resources administrative support, performing duties such as processing payroll or benefits transactions, modifying employee timesheet entries, employee benefits administration, completing accounts receivable/payable transactions, bookkeeping, scheduling interviews, applicant or employee communication, background checks, etc. 
• Experience reviewing, auditing, and resolving data discrepancies, performing duties such as analyzing and verifying data, researching issues, making timesheet or benefit adjustments, reconciling, correcting data entry errors, etc. 
• Experience using computer programs such as Microsoft Office applications to perform duties such as typing correspondence, reviewing reports, entering data, sorting or filtering data, etc. 

It’d be great if you also have at least one of the following:

• Experience using a Human Resources Information System (e.g., PeopleSoft, Workday, SAP, ADP, etc.) for payroll or benefit processing activities.
• Experience processing payroll and/or benefits for a large organization (i.e., 200 or more employees).
• Experience performing payroll or benefit duties in a public sector, 24/7 or healthcare setting.
• Experience managing or processing worker’s compensation claims, including reviewing documents from medical providers and consulting with employees and supervisors.  

Your letter of qualifications is limited to one page. For a guide on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here.

How To Apply

Applying is easy! Click “Apply for Job” to start the application process.  Sign into your account or click “Register Now” to create an account before applying for the job. Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application.

Helpful Tips:

• Once an application is submitted, no changes are allowed. Click “Save” to allow changes to your application as needed before submitting by the deadline.
• You may want to save a copy of the job posting for referencing after the deadline.

Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts according to the qualifications above. Please monitor your email for communications related this position. Current or former permanent, classified, state employees must complete the online application process to be considered.

If viewing through an external site, please apply directly at Wisc.Jobs.

DHS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce.

Veterans are encouraged to apply. For complete information on veterans’ hiring programs with the WI Department of Veteran’s affairs, click here.

For questions or a copy of the full position description, please contact Alyssa Kjin at Alyssa.kjin@wisconsin.gov. 

For assistance with technical difficulties, please contact the Wisc.Jobs help desk at 608-267-1012 or wiscjobs@wisconsin.gov.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is January 13, 2025 by 11:59 pm. Applicants are strongly encouraged to allow ample time to finalize their applications keeping in mind that technical assistance is only available Monday through Friday 7:45 am – 4:30 pm.  Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

This position was previously posted October 16, 2024 - October 23, 2024. Applicants that applied previously should not apply again.