Payroll/Onboarding Specialist

 Job Summary 

The Payroll & Onboarding Specialist performs a dual role vital to County operations.   This position is responsible for the end-to-end bi-weekly payroll process for all employees.   Additionally, this role serves as the primary point of contact for new hires, ensuring a seamless, compliant onboarding experience that aligns with civil service regulations and organizational culture.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Payroll Administration & Compliance

• Processing: Execute full-cycle processing of payroll, including verifying timecards, processing specialized shift differentials, overtime, and civil service step increases.
• Deductions & Benefits: Accurate administration of public employee benefit deductions, including state retirement systems (e.g., PEBA), deferred compensation (401k/457b), union dues, tax levies, and court-ordered garnishments.
• Reporting & Tax Compliance: Prepare and submit quarterly and annual tax filings (W-2s, 941s). Generate payroll reporting for internal auditing, state retirement portals, and budget analysis.
• Discrepancy Resolution: Serve as the primary contact for employee payroll inquiries, auditing time tracking errors, and correcting discrepancies in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and local ordinances.
• Responsible for employment verifications.

Onboarding 

Orientation Facilitation: Lead comprehensive onboarding sessions for new hires, presenting information on local government policies, code of ethics, and structural hierarchies.

• System Integration: Accurately enter new hire data into the Human Resources Information System (HRIS, Paylocity) and payroll databases, ensuring clean data integrity from day one.
• Documentation Management: Collect and verify state and federal required documentation (I-9 verification, E-Verify compliance, tax withholding forms).

What you bring:

• Experience: Four years of Human Resources and/or Payroll experience is preferred
• Education: An associate’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and substantial, hands-on experience in recruitment and payroll
• Skill Highlight: Proficiency in data analysis, clear interpersonal communication, and the ability to interpret technical and mathematical information (including percentages, decimals, and statistical formulas)
• Licenses/Certifications: Strong organizational skills, the ability to maintain confidentiality, and a high level of comfort with office technology and HR systems

What We Offer: Our benefits package is designed to provide you and your family with peace of mind and long-term stability. 

• Health & Wellness: SC PEBA State Health Plans, Dental Coverage (Basic & Plus Options), Vision Coverage (Full Vision options)
• Retirement & Security: Pension options with SCRS or PORS Enrollment, Life Insurance (Employer-paid basic), Disability options (short and long term)
• Time to Recharge: 13 paid Holidays, Annual Leave (vacation), Sick Leave (accrued monthly)
• Additional Perks: Tax Savings (HSA & FSA accounts for medical/dependent care), Supplemental Plan Options (Cancer, Accident, and Critical Illness), Local business partnerships and discounts.

More information about benefits options can be found at PEBA: https://www.peba.sc.gov/employees 

Laurens County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Employees of the County of Laurens and applicants for employment shall be afforded equal opportunity in all aspects of employment without regard to race, color, religion, political affiliation, national origin, disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, or age. 

Reasonable accommodation(s) may be available to employees or applicants of this position under the ADA/ADAA if given prior notice by the employee or applicant.

The information contained within this document indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed by an employee within this classification. It is not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or work required of employees assigned to this position.