People Operations Specialist

Job Title: People Operations Specialist (only local applicants will be considered)

Role Overview

The People Operations Specialist is the execution arm of the People function, carrying out the day-to-day operational work of payroll, HRIS administration, benefits, and compliance under the direction of the Chief People Officer, who owns these areas and leads the transition from a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) to in-house infrastructure. This is a hands-on, detail-driven role for someone who processes accurately, keeps systems and records clean, and supports the CPO in standing up and running in-house People Operations.

Core Responsibilities

HRIS Administration & Data

1. Administer and maintain the HRIS day to day — employee records, position and org data, workflows, and data integrity — under CPO direction.
2. Process new hires, status changes, and terminations in the system; run standard and ad hoc reports.
3. Support HRIS configuration, testing, and data migration from the PEO and legacy systems during implementation.

Payroll Processing

1. Process end-to-end payroll across all pay groups and jurisdictions — timekeeping intake, earnings, deductions, garnishments, and final pay.
2. Prepare payroll tax filings, registrations, and remittances (federal, state, local) and year-end W-2/1099 processing for CPO review.
3. Reconcile payroll with Finance and resolve discrepancies; help ensure FLSA, wage-and-hour, and multi-state pay accuracy.

Compliance Support

1. Maintain state tax and unemployment registrations, required postings, and recordkeeping across operating jurisdictions.
2. Prepare mandated filings (EEO-1, ACA) and administer I-9/E-Verify; support workers’ compensation and unemployment claim administration.
3. Track compliance deadlines and escalate issues and regulatory changes to the CPO.

Benefits Administration

1. Administer health, welfare, and retirement plans — enrollments, life events, eligibility, COBRA, and carrier feeds.
2. Support open enrollment and the transition of benefits from the PEO’s master plans to company-sponsored plans; answer employee questions.

Operations & Vendor Support

1. Maintain process documentation and standard operating procedures.
2. Coordinate day to day with payroll, benefits, and HR-technology vendors; prepare HR and payroll reports and support audit-readiness.

Key Requirements & Skills

1. Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Accounting, or related field, or equivalent experience.
2. 3+ years of hands-on HR operations, payroll, and/or HRIS experience.
3. Experience processing multi-state payroll and administering benefits; familiarity with payroll tax and employment-law requirements.
4. Proficiency with HRIS/payroll platforms (e.g., Paycor, ADP, Paylocity, UKG) and strong spreadsheet skills.
5. High attention to detail, strong organization, and discretion with confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Payroll certification (FPC/CPP)
2. Experience supporting a PEO-to-in-house transition or an HRIS implementation.