Human Resources and Payroll Specialist in Bellingham, Washington at Bellingham Technical College

Priority Consideration: 8/19/26

Summary: Join our Human Resources team and play a key role in supporting employees throughout the college! This position provides a diverse range of HR and payroll support, from benefits, compensation, recruitment, and employee records to answering questions and helping resolve complex issues with accuracy and professionalism. If you are organized, detail-oriented, and enjoy working with a wide variety of people, we invite you to bring your HR expertise and customer service skills to our team.Salary:

Starting salary is $4,957 per month which is based on $59,480; $28.49 per hour

Under general supervision, performs technical human resource tasks such as explaining, interpreting and applying human resource rules, policies, regulations or procedures; and processing, reviewing and ensuring the accuracy of human resource documents and records. Work includes performing assignments in one or more human resource functional areas such as employment, benefits, employee relations, classification, compensation, human resource information systems and training. Independently performs a variety of paraprofessional, technical, and clerical duties in support of the college’s human resources and payroll operations. Provides information and consultation to clients. Interpret, explain, and apply human resources guidelines, policies and procedures, rules, and regulations applicable to human resource functional area(s). Assist Payroll Coordinator and serve as back-up to the Payroll Coordinator, with payroll functions including processing, answering employee questions, fixing processing errors, distributing checks, and reconciling payroll.

• Responds to inquiries and provide information about the College and other human resource rules, policies, regulations or procedures within functional areas such as employment examination requirements, benefits eligibility criteria and program offerings, classification, compensation and/or leave rules and procedures
• Receives, reviews, and ensures the accuracy and completeness of, compile and/or maintain human resource data, documents and records such as leave and salary records, benefits enrollment or claims forms and employee data forms
• Assist human resource staff in administering a variety of human resource functions such as conducting screening interviews, serving on screening committees, administering and scoring employment examinations, notifying applicants of results, employee training and orientation, salary surveys, benefits enrollment and temporary appointments
• Schedule and arrange meetings, employment examinations and interviews; prepare examinations and job advertisements; assist in preparation at job fairs and other outreach activities
• Enter and/or retrieve data from human resource information systems
• Compile data and prepare reports, graphs, charts, statistics and statistical summaries, narrative summaries or graphic representations of data; Prepares correspondence and spreadsheets
• Maintain confidential personnel and office files
• Prepare human resource documents and enter into HR software; establish and maintain human resource records: layoff lists, leave records, classification specifications and position descriptions, hiring notices, and other documentation
• Prepare and monitor the HR Budget; prepare reports from the budget, including cost of advertising by position, training costs, travel, and the like
• As requested, provide information concerning college and other human resources rules and benefits
• Update and maintain all employee handbooks and college procedures manuals assigned to the HR Office
• Assist in developing internal office procedures
• Respond to inquiries and resolve problems in areas such as benefits eligibility or calculations, leave administration, compensation, and payroll;
• Perform clerical work as required in support of the Director of Human Resources
• Perform duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Ability to communicate with a wide variety of individuals
• Ability to diffuse emotional incidents effectively
• Ability to complete mathematical computation duties with a high degree of accuracy
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to pass a Washington State Background Check
• Contingent upon successfully completing a job-related background check in accordance with Washington State law
• 3 years of office, clerical or HR experience

OR

• HR certificate, education and 2 years of clerical work experience

OR

Equivalent education/experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2 or more years of experience working in an HR or payroll department
• Experience working in payroll or absence management in a Human Resources Information System
• HR certificate
• Payroll certificate

Physical Work Environment:

• Prolonged periods of standing and/or sitting varying from 4-7 hours per day
• Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds at times

Compensation, Work Schedule and Benefits:

Starting salary is $4,957 per month which is based on $59,480; $28.49 per hour

Work schedule:

This position’s hours will be based on 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, primarily between the hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Candidate must be willing and able to work on-site.

Benefits:

Bargaining Unit:

• The position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the Bellingham Educational Support Team (BEST). Benefits are subject to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

This position will receive prorated leave based on the BEST CBA:

• 8 hours per month of sick leave
• 10.75 starting at hours per month of vacation leave
• 24 hours of personal leave per calendar year
• 13 paid state/college holidays per calendar year

Benefits also include a Washington State insurance package including selecting one of:

• 6 medical options
• 3 dental plan options
• 3 vision plan options

Include:

• life insurance
• long-term disability

Retirement benefits package including one of:

• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plan 3

Two voluntary investment (not matched) programs

• TIAA (403b)
• State Deferred Compensation (457) plan

Additional optional benefits include ability to participate in:

• Medical Flexible Spending plan
• Limited Purpose Flexible Spending plan
• Health Savings Account
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Discounts for automobile and homeowner insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Up to 21 days of military leave
• Up to 5 days of paid bereavement leave
• Paid civil/jury duty

• Ability to participate in a shared leave program

Bargaining Unit:

• The position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the Bellingham Educational Support Team (BEST). Benefits are subject to the CBA.

Application Procedures and Deadline:

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online at http://www.btc.edu/jobs and received by 12 p.m. on August 18, 2026, for priority consideration. Application materials received after this date and time may be considered until the position is filled. More information about Bellingham Technical College is at www.btc.edu or contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 752-8354. You will be contacted if selected for an interview. At this time, BTC is not sponsoring H-1B Visas.

Required Online Application Materials:

• Completed BTC Online Employment Application & Supplemental Questions
• Resume (Word or PDF file attachment)

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for September 9-10th