HR & Payroll Specialist

About Piedmont Environmental Council

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is a community-supported nonprofit dedicated to conserving and restoring the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont while fostering sustainable communities. Established in 1972, PEC emphasizes education, engagement, and empowerment to drive positive changes locally. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) entity and an accredited land trust.

Position Overview

The PEC seeks a part-time HR & Payroll Specialist based at its Warrenton, VA headquarters. This role entails supporting daily HR functions with a focus on payroll accuracy and extensive administrative tasks. The specialist will handle payroll operations for a staff of around 60, manage employee relations, onboarding, benefits, and ensure compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct biweekly payroll for hourly and salaried employees, ensuring correct coding, hours worked, and resolving discrepancies.
• Maintain payroll records, processing employee status updates such as salary changes, bonuses, deductions, and onboarding entries.
• Handle wage garnishments, payroll tax adjustments, and prepare quarterly/year-end reports.
• Create and provide payroll reports to designated personnel.
• Act as the main contact for payroll-related employee queries, resolving issues confidentially.
• Manage payroll schedules and electronic transfers for HSA and FSA accounts.
• Support recruitment activities, including job postings, offer letters, employment verifications, background checks, and project management via Asana.
• Assist onboarding and offboarding procedures, paperwork processing, and personnel file maintenance.
• Help administer benefits during open enrollment, maintain benefit records, and reconcile insurance billing.
• Engage with staff, board members, and donors on HR and benefit matters.
• Maintain accurate records of accrued leave, manage leave carryover, and support FMLA, ADA, and paid leave programs.
• Review unemployment claims, prepare documentation, and respond to agencies within required timelines.
• Support workers’ compensation claims, return-to-work coordination, compliance, and reporting.
• Participate in occasional travel within PEC's service area and attend events outside regular hours when necessary.

Work Environment

This role primarily functions in an office setting requiring prolonged sitting or standing and computer use. Some outdoor event attendance in various weather conditions and occasional lifting of materials up to 40 lbs may be needed.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in a related field or equivalent practical experience.
• Between 1 to 3 years’ experience managing payroll and supporting HR activities.
• Familiarity with automated payroll platforms like Dominion Payroll or iSolved.
• Basic understanding of employee benefits administration.
• Strong dedication to PEC’s mission and values.
• Proficiency or eagerness to learn project management tools such as Asana, plus MS Office and Google Suite.
• Excellent organizational skills to juggle multiple projects efficiently while meeting deadlines.
• Effective interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse individuals.
• High attention to detail and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently with initial guidance and manage priorities under direction.

Preferred Qualifications

• HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP) or a Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.
• Experience working within a nonprofit organization.

Compensation and Benefits

This part-time, non-exempt role offers an hourly wage between $25 and $30, based on experience. Benefits for part-time or seasonal staff include a hybrid and flexible work environment, reimbursement for cell phone expenses up to $75 monthly, and travel/mileage reimbursements.

Work Schedule

The position requires 15-20 hours weekly, typically two to three days onsite at the Warrenton office, with some hybrid flexibility. The workweek consists of four days and occasional evening or weekend commitments may arise.

Equal Opportunity and Application Process

PEC embraces equal employment opportunity irrespective of diverse personal characteristics. Applications must include a cover letter and resume submitted in PDF format. The review of candidates is ongoing until the opening is filled. Reasonable accommodations during application or interviewing are available upon request.

Selection Process

• First round: Virtual interviews with panel/hiring manager.
• Second round (if needed): Virtual or in-person interviews.
• Final round: In-person interview with hiring manager and president preferred.
• Reference checks, offer letter, and background check completion following selection.