HR Specialist - Payroll, Benefits, and Leave
- Management Information Exchange
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Full Time
HR Specialist - Payroll, Benefits, and Leave
Human Resources Specialist - Payroll, Benefits, & Leave
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) provides civil legal services to low-ie New Mexicans to promote family and economic stability, helping clients access food, shelter, security, and to preserve their unique cultural heritages. NMLA has locations throughout the state, including Santa Ana Pueblo, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Gallup, Roswell, Silver City, and Taos.
This position is based in the Albuquerque office and reports to the Human Resources Manager.
The Human Resources Specialist - Payroll, Benefits, & Leave is primarily responsible for payroll administration, benefits coordination, leave administration, and employee lifecycle processes for a multi-office nonprofitanization. This role serves as a key operational partner within Human Resources, helping ensure accurate payroll and benefits administration, maintaining HRIS data integrity, supporting employee transitions, and assisting with operations,pliance and collective bargaining processes.
This position works closely with Human Resources, Finance, Grants, employees, benefits vendors, andanizational leadership to support operational efficiency, employee support, and accurate administration of payroll, leave, retirement, and benefits programs.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Process payroll accurately and timely in accordance withanizational policies, collective bargaining requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.
Maintain and update employee records,pensation data, payroll deductions, benefits information, and leave balances within the HRIS system.
Review payroll, leave, and benefits data for accuracy and resolve discrepancies related to employee records, deductions, accruals, and payroll processing.
Coordinate administration of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, STD, LTD, retirement, and related benefit offerings.
Organize and coordinate annual open enrollment activities in partnership with external benefits administrators, including timelines, employeemunications, enrollment tracking, and related documentation.
Serve as an internal resource for employee questions related to benefits, payroll, leave, and HRIS information, while coordinating with external vendors and administrators as needed.
Support leave administration processes, including tracking leave donations and leave usage, maintaining documentation, coordinating employeemunications, auditing leave balances, and assisting withpliance requirements related to FMLA and other leave programs.
Support administration of workplace amodation processes, including documentation management, coordination, tracking, and employeemunication support.
Process and trackpensation changes, annual step increases, and related Personnel Action Forms in accordance withanizational policies.
Coordinate retirement plan administration activities, including enrollments, payroll deductions, reporting, and related documentation for theanization's 403(b) plan.
Assist with onboarding and offboarding processes, including HR documentation, benefit transitions, final payroll coordination, exit meetings, and preparation of final accounting and benefits information for separating employees.
Prepare and maintain HR and payroll-related reports, records, and supporting documentation for audits, grants,pliance activities, budgeting, collective bargaining support, grievances, and internal review.
Participate in collective bargaining negotiations and assist with gathering payroll, benefits, leave, andpensation-related data and documentation as needed.
Collaborate with Human Resources and Finance to ensure accurate payroll processing, employee data integrity,pensation administration, and benefits coordination.
Research payroll, benefits, leave, HR, and HRIS issues proactively and assist in resolving discrepancies or operational concerns.
Identify opportunities for process improvement and support operational efficiency across HR and payroll functions.
Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive employee information.
Provide ongoing operational and administrative support for Human Resources functions, including backup coverage and cross-functional assistance as needed to support employees and departmental operations.
Provide operational and administrative support for Grants and Finance functions and initiatives as they relate to Human Resources, as needed.
Other duties and projects as assigned.
This role requires stronganizational skills, initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while supporting employees with professionalism, responsiveness, and sound judgement in a fast-paced environment.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
Experience supporting payroll, benefits administration, leave coordination, and HR operations.
Knowledge of payroll processes, employee benefits administration, leave management, HRIS systems, and employment-relatedpliance requirements.
Experience maintaining confidential employee information and records.
Stronganizational, analytical, and problem solving skills.
High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to research issues independently and exercise sound judgement in resolving problems.
Strong written and oralmunication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and provide employee-centered support.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR/payroll systems.
Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new technology systems, troubleshoot issues, research solutions independently, and effectively utilize software platforms to support operational efficiency and accuracy.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in Human Resources or Accounting within a nonprofit or unionized environment.
Experience administering benefits and leave programs.
Experience participating in open enrollment coordination and benefitsmunication processes.
Experience with HRIS and payroll platforms such as iSolved.
Experience with other software such as DocuSign, LegalServer, or MIP.
Company Benefits
100% employer-paid BCBS medical, plus dental and vision for employees; generous contributions for dependents
3 weeks vacation time, 6 days personal time, plus sick pay and federal holidays off
Hybrid work schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote).
37.5-hour work week
403(b) Retirement Plan
Click here for more information
Salary: $65,000 - $75,000 DOE
Application Deadline: Until filled. Resumes reviewed on a rolling basis.
Applicants must submit a current resume, three references, and a cover letter that explains your interest in this position and the mission of NMLA. Your application will not be considered unless we receive all of these documents. To apply, visit: newmexicolegalaid.isolvedhire/jobs/
Applicants will be subject to a background check. Please do not let this deter you from applying. NMLA ismitted to a strong workforce and recognizes that persons with marks on their record may still be able to perform admirably.
NMLA is an EEO Employer.
Department:
Human Resources
Submission Deadline:
8/1/26
Human Resources Specialist - Payroll, Benefits, & Leave
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) provides civil legal services to low-ie New Mexicans to promote family and economic stability, helping clients access food, shelter, security, and to preserve their unique cultural heritages. NMLA has locations throughout the state, including Santa Ana Pueblo, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Gallup, Roswell, Silver City, and Taos.
This position is based in the Albuquerque office and reports to the Human Resources Manager.
The Human Resources Specialist - Payroll, Benefits, & Leave is primarily responsible for payroll administration, benefits coordination, leave administration, and employee lifecycle processes for a multi-office nonprofitanization. This role serves as a key operational partner within Human Resources, helping ensure accurate payroll and benefits administration, maintaining HRIS data integrity, supporting employee transitions, and assisting with operations,pliance and collective bargaining processes.
This position works closely with Human Resources, Finance, Grants, employees, benefits vendors, andanizational leadership to support operational efficiency, employee support, and accurate administration of payroll, leave, retirement, and benefits programs.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Process payroll accurately and timely in accordance withanizational policies, collective bargaining requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.
Maintain and update employee records,pensation data, payroll deductions, benefits information, and leave balances within the HRIS system.
Review payroll, leave, and benefits data for accuracy and resolve discrepancies related to employee records, deductions, accruals, and payroll processing.
Coordinate administration of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, STD, LTD, retirement, and related benefit offerings.
Organize and coordinate annual open enrollment activities in partnership with external benefits administrators, including timelines, employeemunications, enrollment tracking, and related documentation.
Serve as an internal resource for employee questions related to benefits, payroll, leave, and HRIS information, while coordinating with external vendors and administrators as needed.
Support leave administration processes, including tracking leave donations and leave usage, maintaining documentation, coordinating employeemunications, auditing leave balances, and assisting withpliance requirements related to FMLA and other leave programs.
Support administration of workplace amodation processes, including documentation management, coordination, tracking, and employeemunication support.
Process and trackpensation changes, annual step increases, and related Personnel Action Forms in accordance withanizational policies.
Coordinate retirement plan administration activities, including enrollments, payroll deductions, reporting, and related documentation for theanization's 403(b) plan.
Assist with onboarding and offboarding processes, including HR documentation, benefit transitions, final payroll coordination, exit meetings, and preparation of final accounting and benefits information for separating employees.
Prepare and maintain HR and payroll-related reports, records, and supporting documentation for audits, grants,pliance activities, budgeting, collective bargaining support, grievances, and internal review.
Participate in collective bargaining negotiations and assist with gathering payroll, benefits, leave, andpensation-related data and documentation as needed.
Collaborate with Human Resources and Finance to ensure accurate payroll processing, employee data integrity,pensation administration, and benefits coordination.
Research payroll, benefits, leave, HR, and HRIS issues proactively and assist in resolving discrepancies or operational concerns.
Identify opportunities for process improvement and support operational efficiency across HR and payroll functions.
Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive employee information.
Provide ongoing operational and administrative support for Human Resources functions, including backup coverage and cross-functional assistance as needed to support employees and departmental operations.
Provide operational and administrative support for Grants and Finance functions and initiatives as they relate to Human Resources, as needed.
Other duties and projects as assigned.
This role requires stronganizational skills, initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while supporting employees with professionalism, responsiveness, and sound judgement in a fast-paced environment.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
Experience supporting payroll, benefits administration, leave coordination, and HR operations.
Knowledge of payroll processes, employee benefits administration, leave management, HRIS systems, and employment-relatedpliance requirements.
Experience maintaining confidential employee information and records.
Stronganizational, analytical, and problem solving skills.
High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to research issues independently and exercise sound judgement in resolving problems.
Strong written and oralmunication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and provide employee-centered support.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR/payroll systems.
Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new technology systems, troubleshoot issues, research solutions independently, and effectively utilize software platforms to support operational efficiency and accuracy.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in Human Resources or Accounting within a nonprofit or unionized environment.
Experience administering benefits and leave programs.
Experience participating in open enrollment coordination and benefitsmunication processes.
Experience with HRIS and payroll platforms such as iSolved.
Experience with other software such as DocuSign, LegalServer, or MIP.
Company Benefits
100% employer-paid BCBS medical, plus dental and vision for employees; generous contributions for dependents
3 weeks vacation time, 6 days personal time, plus sick pay and federal holidays off
Hybrid work schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote).
37.5-hour work week
403(b) Retirement Plan
Click here for more information
Salary: $65,000 - $75,000 DOE
Application Deadline: Until filled. Resumes reviewed on a rolling basis.
Applicants must submit a current resume, three references, and a cover letter that explains your interest in this position and the mission of NMLA. Your application will not be considered unless we receive all of these documents. To apply, visit: newmexicolegalaid.isolvedhire/jobs/
Applicants will be subject to a background check. Please do not let this deter you from applying. NMLA ismitted to a strong workforce and recognizes that persons with marks on their record may still be able to perform admirably.
NMLA is an EEO Employer.
Department:
Human Resources
Submission Deadline:
8/1/26
Job ID: 521869352
Originally Posted on: 5/20/2026
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