Human Resources Generalist & Payroll Specialist

Note that although this position is a hybrid role, the successful candidate will initially work onsite for training.

About North Park

Founded in 1891, North Park University is a Christian university affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church of over 3,200 students from around the country and the world.

North Park University is located in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago, one of the most ethnically diverse zip codes in the United States. It is nine miles from downtown Chicago. The North Park campus has often been referred to as an oasis in the heart of the city – a place where students from urban, rural, and suburban backgrounds alike can call home. And all of this within the major metropolitan backdrop of Chicago: one of the world’s largest and most diversified economies, renowned for its museums and music, and voted best large city in the U.S. for four years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler.

Mission

The mission of North Park University is to prepare students for lives of significance and service through education in the liberal arts, professional studies, and theology.

Vision

Building on our core institutional identity—Christian, city-centered, intercultural—our vision is to create a university of uncommon character and enduring excellence, where faith, learning, and service meet.

Summary

Under the direction of the Senior Human Resources Director, the Human Resources Generalist & Payroll Specialist is responsible for performing HR duties on a professional level and carries out the responsibilities in the following areas: payroll processing, processing leaves, terminations and unemployment claims, preparing employment reports, coordinating and communicating the agency’s policies and procedures, and conduct new hire orientation, as needed, and ensure integrity within the HRIS tools. Provide overall HR office administrative support as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll by for 400 workers, including students, part-time hourly and non-exempt employees, which includes students’ stipends.
• Process semi-monthly payroll for 350 exempt faculty and staff, which includes, stipends, extra pays, etc.
• Process reports to analyze payroll data for integrity and verify all entries before printing the checks/advices.
• Enter, maintain, and/or process information in Ellucian Colleague; information may include employees hourly rates, salaries, commissions, bonuses or other compensation, time worked, paid leave and holidays, deductions and withholding, address changes, and other information.
• Ensure proper processing of payroll deductions for taxes, benefits, charitable contributions, and other deductions.
• Assist employees with questions about their wages, taxes and/or deductions maintaining state and federal compliance.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local jurisdiction payroll regulations and guidelines.
• Prepare recurring and ad-hoc reports as needed.
• Serve as department Subject Matter Expert on topics related to benefits, payroll, time and attendance, record keeping and HR & Bank policies and procedures.
• Prepare year-end employee tax slips or forms, and submit government filings to meet deadlines
• Maintaining confidential information by adhering to legal and ethical standards
• Monitor the usage of college work-study funds.
• Support employees with completing payroll paperwork and various benefit forms. Contact employees who have not completed required personnel paperwork. This includes sending multiple reminders to submit timesheets.
• Follow up with appropriate parties when there is an issue or concern regarding payroll compliance.
• Perform annual audits of employee payroll records, including benefit forms, tax forms, direct deposit forms, and support audit of I-9 forms, etc.
• Process all employment verifications in a timely manner both via the phone and paper requests.
• Post jobs, send notification emails, and provide application updates to applicants when required.
• Process direct deposit transactions through ACH according to payroll schedule.
• Serve as principal monitor of the Human Resources email box.
• Participate in the employee lifecycle by performing a variety of HR tasks.
• Assisting in the recruiting process as needed, including scheduling of Teams and in-person interviews.
• Generating official internal documents such as offer letters, appointment letters and warning letters
• Creating onboarding plans and educating newly hired employees on HR policies and internal policies and procedures
• Maintaining physical and digital files for employees and their documents, benefits and attendance records
• Assisting in the creation of various HR events, including benefits fairs and Open Enrollment

Requirements

Required:

• Must have at least one year experience transacting bi-weekly and semi-monthly payrolls in Ellucian Colleague Payroll. Candidates without this experience cannot be considered further.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least two (2) years’ experience in Human Resources.
• Strong knowledge of compensation, benefits and tax regulations concerning payroll.
• Ability to manage multiple projects or assignments at one time and ability to multi-task
• Thorough research and problem-solving skills
• Expert at meeting deadlines while maintaining compliance standards
• Capable of providing a balanced and common-sense approach to routine and complex issues
• Demonstrate a kind and collaborative demeanor emphasizing customer service.
• Have good attention to detail and excellent organizational and planning skills.
• Committed to and an articulate supporter of the university’s mission, identity, and Christian faith commitment.
• A high level of computer literacy, including knowledge of Microsoft Excel, and payroll systems.
• Must possess the ability to maintain confidentiality; and be able to work both independently and as team player

Desired:

• Benefits/Payroll Certifications (CPP, CEBS, etc.)
• HR Certifications (SHRP-CP/SHRM-SCP or PHR/SPHR, etc.)
• Ability to work independently, and with others, and proactive.
• Have experience with Enterprise Systems.
• Comfortable with using new technology.

Abilities and Skills:

Excellent oral and written communication, supervisory, organizational, leadership, analytical, and management skills; strong training skills; ability to identify and research problems and develop, recommend, implement, and monitor solutions; must be able to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and be tactful and diplomatic; must be able to demonstrate cultural competency in working with individuals and/or groups. Must possess the ability to maintain confidentiality; and be able to work both independently and as team player.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Prescription Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter Benefit
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Remission
• Helwig Recreation Center