Payroll and Human Resources Administrator in PUTNEY, Vermont at The Putney School

The Putney School is seeking a full-time Payroll and Human Resources Administrator to begin working as soon as possible. The Payroll and Human Resources Administrator is a key member of Putney's business office and people operations. This position partners with senior leadership to ensure the school’s employment practices are legally sound, equitably administered, and aligned with Putney’s values. The role spans the full arc of the employee experience — from recruiting and onboarding through payroll, benefits, employee relations, and workplace investigations. In a small community where relationships matter and discretion is essential, this person serves as a trusted resource for staff, faculty, and administration alike.

The Payroll and Human Resources Administrator reports directly to the Chief Finance and Operations Officer and is a 12-month, in-person, exempt position.

About The Putney School: Putney is a progressive boarding school for 220 hardworking and curious students in a beautiful corner of Southern Vermont. Since 1935, Putney has prepared intellectually curious, community-minded students by joining time-tested educational principles and cutting-edge progressive teaching methods. The school blends high expectations and unique levels of student agency so that they achieve college success and grow into inspiring and well-rounded people. Hands-on learning is embedded in the school’s culture: a working dairy farm, expansive arts offerings, a robust work program, miles of wooded trails, and large solar arrays serve our curriculum.

The school cultivates and sustains an educational community that values difference. Community members explore how they contribute to building a home at Putney where everyone, especially those from historically marginalized populations, can honor their individual racial, gender, political, ethnic, and socio-economic identities. Putney recognizes this is difficult, communal work, and the school supports all its employees in developing this critical skill set.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for employee questions regarding payroll, benefits, and employee relations concerns.
• Manage all aspects of bi-weekly payroll, ensuring the accuracy of timekeeping records, wages, deductions, withholdings, benefits, and employee data in compliance with federal, state, and local tax and labor laws.
• Manage employee benefits administration, including correct setup of new hires and special enrollments periods, overseeing open enrollment, communicating with benefits vendors, and ensuring compliance with ACA and other requirements.
• Conduct or coordinate workplace investigations into complaints of misconduct, harassment, or policy violations with appropriate discretion and thoroughness; advise senior leadership on employee relations matters, escalating as needed; and support a culture of accountability and respect across faculty and staff.
• Coordinate all school hiring, including partnering with hiring managers to develop and maintain accurate job descriptions, posting positions in compliance with pay transparency laws, managing applicant flow, running background checks, and supporting all aspects of onboarding new employees.
• Oversee and track employee requests for leaves of absence under the federal FMLA, Vermont PFLA, and internal short-term disability, paid parental leave, and bereavement leave policies; coordinate workers compensation claims and audits.
• Maintain personnel files and coordinate the annual review and update to the employee handbook and employment agreements.
• Remain current on federal, state, and local payroll tax and labor laws, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title IX (employment side), and Vermont-specific requirements, and advise leadership accordingly.
• Crosstrain in other aspects of business office operations, including accounts payable, school store operations, and supporting the CFOO during audit periods.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Salary range of $55,000 to $70,000 depending on qualifications and experience.
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability, and optional group insurance plans, HSA/FSA options, paid time off, and 403(b) retirement plan contributions.
• Annual professional development opportunities.

• Three or more years of experience in an HR generalist or similar role required, including demonstrated experience with payroll processing, benefits administration, and conducting or supporting workplace investigations.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax and labor laws required.
• Proficiency with MS Office, Google Workspace, and HRIS software required.
• Ability to pass a criminal-background check and authorization to work in the United States are required.
• Experience developing or revising HR policy in a small organization, experience in an educational or non-profit setting, and/or general accounting experience preferred.
• Relevant college degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field preferred.
• PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent certification considered an asset.
• The ideal candidate will possess exceptional discretion and sound judgment in handling sensitive and confidential information, strong organizational skills and attention to detail, the ability to communicate clearly and empathetically with employees at all levels, and the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a small-office environment.