Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Payroll and Benefits Specialist
The Berkeley Carroll School

Brooklyn, NY (Park Slope, On-Campus) | Full Time, 12-Month
Salary: $90,000 to $120,000
Posted: September 24, 2026

 

The Berkeley Carroll School is a Pre-K through grade 12 college preparatory school of approximately 1,000 students located in the Park Slope section of New York City. Our vibrant intellectual community draws students from all over the city, admission to the school is competitive, and both our parents and students value achievement and community.

 

Berkeley Carroll is looking for a Payroll and Benefits Specialist. This is a full-time, 12-month on-campus position. The Payroll and Benefits Specialist will be responsible for the administration of all payroll-related functions, management of payroll data, compliance, reporting, and reconciliation, and for administering benefits programs. This position reports to the Chief Financial & Operating Officer.

 

Responsibilities

 

Payroll

 

• Accurately process semi-monthly payroll using ADP while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage and hour laws, and best practices.

• Prepare and enter payroll journal entries into the NXT accounting platform.

• Respond to employee questions related to payroll and provide support to employees for utilizing ADP self-service.

• Maintain accurate employee payroll records, including tax withholding forms, payroll deductions, changes in employee status, and other payroll information.

• Review employee contributions and deductions for accuracy and consistency with employee election of benefits.

• Maintain employee data integrity and ensure confidentiality and security of data.

• Review periodic employer federal and state tax returns and ensure payroll tax deposits are timely and accurate.

• Develop the schedules, calendars, and communications for payroll.

 

Benefits

 

• Administer all aspects of employee benefits plans, including health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, group term and voluntary life, workers' compensation, 403(b) retirement, unemployment, and pre-tax expense programs.

• Enhance the employee experience by ensuring timely, knowledgeable, and empathetic responses to all benefits inquiries.

• Manage benefit plan operations, plan changes, and benefit-related claims, including open enrollments; administer open enrollment in ADP and ensure data flows correctly to Health Equity, etc.

• Serve as primary contact with carriers and third-party administrators; respond to benefits inquiries from employees relating to status changes, plan provisions, and other general inquiries.

• Process, review, and respond to unemployment claims and workers' comp claims with appropriate documentation. Review unemployment statements.

• Reconcile bills by producing and balancing reports to ensure accuracy of billing.

• Process monthly billings and administrative fees for all group plans accurately and timely.

• Process leave of absence requests, disability paperwork, FMLA, medical, and personal leaves.

 

Other Duties

 

• Oversee the effective and strategic use of ADP, including ensuring its data integrity.

• Participate in and prepare reports and reconciliations for the annual year-end financial audit, IRS 990, 403(b), 5500, 8955, and Workers' Compensation audits.

• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and review policies to maintain compliance.

• Gather data for compliance reporting, including the NYC EDC bond compliance reporting and the annual DASL reporting.

• Serve as a backup for onboarding in ADP and the creation of ID cards.

• Support the human resources function of the school, as needed.

 

Qualifications

 

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or other related field required.

• Minimum 5 years' experience administering payroll and benefits and extensive knowledge of HR functions.

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations impacting payroll operations.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills that lead to the cultivation of relationships with colleagues.

• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects concurrently.

• Strong knowledge of the ADP system is a must.

• Sound knowledge of Google Suite and Microsoft applications (Excel, Word) is strongly preferred.

• Experience in a school setting is preferred.

• Candidates fluent in Spanish preferred.

• PHR or SPHR certification is preferred.

 

Commitment to Belonging

 

Berkeley Carroll is committed to creating an environment that includes a diversity of perspectives and to cultivating an equitable, inclusive learning community in which everyone has the opportunity to experience a sense of belonging. Candidates with a demonstrated commitment to and experience with diversity, equity, or inclusion work are especially encouraged to apply.

 

Salary and Benefits

 

Salary and benefits are highly competitive and will be offered commensurate with experience and credentials. The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $120,000. This full-time position begins as soon as possible.

 

How to Apply

 

Candidates should send a cover letter, resume with a list of references, and the completed Berkeley Carroll Application (found on berkeleycarroll.org) to:

 

Karen Benson, CFOO: kbenson@berkeleycarroll.org
Betsy Goldfarb, Director of Human Resources: bgoldfarb@berkeleycarroll.org