HR Specialist: Payroll & Benefits

Title: HR Specialist: Payroll & Benefits

Location: Huntsville, AL United States

Full time

Job Description:

The HR & Benefits Specialist provides operational support across payroll, benefits, onboarding, and general HR administration. This role is responsible for maintaining accurate employee records, supporting payroll processing activities, administering benefits, and ensuring a smooth onboarding experience for new hires. The position partners closely with, Finance, Program Control, Contracts and external vendors to ensure compliance, data integrity, and a positive employee experience.

General job duties:

• Provide day-to-day HR support across benefits administration, employee relations, performance management, recruiting, training, affirmative action, and policy implementation.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, EEO, SCA, and applicable union agreements.
• Serve as the HR subject matter expert for government contracting requirements, ensuring HR practices align with contract terms and federal regulations.
• Support and respond to ISO, government, and compliance audits, including preparation of required documentation.
• Maintain and administer HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of personnel records, confidential medical files, and required documentation in accordance with record‑retention requirements.
• Communicate policy updates and procedural changes to employees and management.
• Administer employee benefit programs, including eligibility, enrollments, changes, invoicing, and issue resolution.
• Manage and support the company's 401(k) plan, including contribution calculations, coordination with payroll and third‑party administrators, audit support, and employee inquiries.
• Ensure proper administration of union benefits and fringe requirements, including compliance with collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and Service Contract Act (SCA) obligations.
• Support annual open enrollment and employee benefit communications.
• Support administration of the Affirmative Action Program (AAP) and preparation of required reports, including EEO‑1 and VETS‑4212.
• Partner with finance, payroll, and contracts teams to ensure accurate labor reporting and compliance with government contract requirements.
• Support the full recruitment and onboarding process, ensuring completion of required documentation and compliance training.
• Provide employee relations support, including performance management guidance, investigations, corrective actions, and offboarding.
• Assist with union-related matters, including interpretation of contract provisions and grievance support, as needed.
• Maintain HRIS data in ADP and Unanet, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.
• Generate HR and benefits reports to support leadership, audits, payroll, government reporting, and workforce planning.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting HR operations and benefits administration in a regulated or compliance-driven environment.
• Experience supporting or administering 401(k) plans, including coordination with payroll and third‑party administrators and responding to employee questions.
• Experience working with unionized workforces and administering benefits and employment practices in accordance with collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
• Familiarity with government contracting environments, including Service Contract Act (SCA) requirements.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems (e.g., ADP, Unanet) and strong Excel and reporting skills.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Desired / Preferred Qualifications

• Experience assisting with union negotiations, grievances, or contract interpretation.
• Knowledge of benefits compliance related to SCA, union fringe calculations, or multi‑plan environments.

Pay & Job Details:

Based on experience but generally between- $60,000-$75,000

Benefits include health insurance (BCBS), gap insurance, dental, vision, short and long term disability, company paid $50K life insurance policy and other optional benefits.

Each full time employee is given a benefit allowance to help cover the costs of their benefits.

Hybrid work schedule and flexibility available