Payroll Specialist

We are looking for a Payroll Specialist to join a healthcare organization in Rochester, New York in a contract-to-permanent capacity. This position is suited for a payroll specialist who can manage complex payroll operations across multiple states while maintaining accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. The role will support employees and leaders with payroll-related questions, reporting, and training, while helping ensure smooth payroll processing for a large workforce.

Responsibilities:

• Administer end-to-end payroll processing for weekly and semi-monthly cycles across multiple states, including employee onboarding changes, separations, compensation updates, and imported earnings and tax data.
• Review payroll records for completeness and accuracy, maintain employee tax withholding information, issue payroll payments, process reimbursements, and manage payroll file submissions.
• Validate and correct workforce data such as new employee loads, pay rate changes, position details, and labor distribution coding to support accurate payroll results.
• Prepare and transmit recurring and year-end tax-related files, and coordinate required payments for items such as garnishments and charitable deductions.
• Track and troubleshoot payroll system and timekeeping issues within UKG and Asureforce environments, escalating unresolved matters to external vendors when appropriate.
• Produce payroll reports, monitor timecard and close-cycle metrics, manage payroll schedules, and support year-end activities including W-2 preparation and distribution.
• Maintain payroll and deduction schedules using payroll systems and spreadsheets to ensure timely processing and reporting.
• Respond to employee and supervisor questions regarding time worked, earnings, deductions, and employment verification requests.
• Deliver payroll and timekeeping training for supervisors and newly hired employees, including support for clock enrollment, direct deposit, pay cards, mobile access, and related payroll tools.
• Identify compliance or process risks within payroll procedures and recommend practical improvements aligned with organizational policy and regulatory expectations.
• Demonstrated experience processing full-cycle payroll in a high-volume environment.
• Hands-on knowledge of multi-state payroll administration and related compliance requirements.
• Ability to manage payroll for organizations with more than 500 employees.
• Proficiency with UKG Pro and UKG Ready, including payroll data review and file handling.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify discrepancies and resolve issues quickly.
• Experience supporting employees and supervisors with payroll questions and training needs.
• Working knowledge of payroll taxes, deductions, garnishments, and year-end processing responsibilities.