Position Title: Payroll and Benefits Specialist
Reports To: Payroll and Benefits Manager
Category: Full-Time, Exempt
Department: Finance
Location: Juneau, Alaska

Work Location Requirements

This position is based in Juneau, Alaska, the heart of our company’s operations and culture. We strongly believe that experiencing our Alaska Native corporate environment firsthand is essential to understanding our mission, values, and the way we work together as an organization.

Remote work may be approved for candidates residing in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, or Idaho; however, maintaining a strong connection to our Juneau headquarters is a core expectation of this role.

All remote employees are required to travel to the Juneau office for their first week of employment to support onboarding, relationship building, and direct exposure to our corporate culture. In addition, remote employees will return to Juneau approximately 1–3 times per year to stay engaged with our team, strengthen collaboration, and remain connected to our corporate culture.

Position Summary

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist supports the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll for Huna Totem Corporation and its subsidiary entities, covering a workforce of 500+ employees across seasonal and year-round operations. This role coordinates closely with Human Resources, Finance, and ADP to ensure all personnel actions, time records, and benefit elections are properly documented, approved, and reflected in payroll systems. The position requires a high level of accuracy, discretion, and adherence to regulatory requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Payroll Processing

Assist in processing bi-weekly payrolls in ADP Workforce Now across multiple entities

Review timecards and exception reports for accuracy and compliance

Ensure timely payroll submission and funding

Validate earnings, deductions, taxes, and benefit elections

Process off-cycle payrolls, adjustments, and corrections

HR Coordination & Data Management

Process personnel actions in ADP, including hires, terminations, pay changes, and job changes

Verify all payroll-related actions are approved and properly documented

Maintain accurate employee master data

Coordinate with Human Resources to resolve payroll discrepancies

Compliance & Internal Controls

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations

Monitor overtime calculations and Alaska labor law requirements

Support ACA tracking, garnishments, and workers’ compensation reporting

Maintain payroll controls, procedures, and documentation

Reporting & Reconciliation

Prepare payroll registers, funding reports, and audit documentation

Reconcile payroll to the general ledger and benefit invoices

Support month-end and year-end close processes

Assist with year-end tax reporting, including W-2 processing

Provide payroll data for audits, budgeting, and financial analysis

Process Improvement & Employee Support

Maintain and update payroll procedures and documentation

Identify and implement process improvements

Support system upgrades and integrations

Respond to employee payroll inquiries

Research and resolve discrepancies

Perform other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

Primarily office-based or remote work environment

Regular travel to Juneau required for remote employees

Travel may include small aircraft

Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or Human Resources preferred

2–6 years of payroll experience supporting a workforce of 300+ employees

Experience with multi-entity or seasonal workforces preferred

ADP Workforce Now experience strongly preferred

Technical Skills & Competencies

Proficiency with payroll and timekeeping systems

Advanced Excel skills for reconciliation and reporting

Knowledge of payroll tax, wage and hour laws, and benefit administration

Ability to integrate payroll data with HRIS and accounting systems

Strong attention to detail and accuracy

Effective organization and time management skills

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Clear and professional communication skills

Huna Totem Corporation is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, with Native Preference under P.L. 93-638.