HR Specialist 1 - Payroll - Job ID 14079

Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.

POSITION SUMMARY :

The Human Resources Specialist I is a key member of the Payroll team, responsible for accurately processing payroll and maintaining highly confidential salary and compensation data with the utmost integrity. This role requires close collaboration with site-based administrative staff, internal Human Resources team members, and Business Services to ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality service delivery.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Process biweekly payroll under the guidance of senior Payroll staff, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with policies and legal requirements.

• Enter, audit, and maintain accurate payroll and employee data in the payroll system.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Payroll inbox, proactively monitoring and responding to employee inquiries in a timely, professional, and customer-focused manner. Research and resolve routine payroll questions, ensure clear and accurate communication, and appropriately escalate complex or sensitive issues to senior payroll staff or leadership as needed to ensure prompt resolution.

• Process Personnel Action (PA) forms for employee personal changes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Serve as the primary backup for separation PAs and cross-train on all PA types to support consistency and operational flexibility.

• Process adjustments, mileage reimbursements, union dues, live checks, and employee verification requests in compliance with policies and regulations.

• Assist with distributing payroll reports and verifying information for accuracy.

• Report to Payroll Manager regarding daily activities and issues.

• Deliver high-quality, responsive customer service to employees by addressing payroll questions clearly, resolving issues promptly, and ensuring a positive and professional experience.

• Maintain confidentiality and follow established payroll procedures and timelines.

• Comply with all company policies and procedures.

• Other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY :

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES :

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Written & Oral Communication - Speaks and writes clearly; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly without compromising quality/reliability.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate's degree (AA) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school, or one year related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Minimal travel to schools, programs and/or trainings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standing (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Walking (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Sitting (continually, more than 2/3)
• Reach with hands and arms (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Climbing or balancing (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Ability to work outdoors (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Moderate Noise

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Group Health Insurance Plans
• Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability & Short-Term Disability options
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable
• Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA)
• Comprehensive benefit time package
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bereavement time & Religious Holidays
• Credit Union Access
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Network Groups
• Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career!
• Benefit from our exclusive partnership with Springfield College, offering a 15% discount on tuition for next-level degree programs to support your academic and career aspirations!

Based on terms and conditions during your employment, specific to your job classification and collective bargaining agreement.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION STATEMENT:

CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice - ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions - that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT :

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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