HR​/Payroll Specialist - Norton, KS

Prairie Land Electric is dedicated to serving our members by providing safe, reliable energy and education to enhance their quality of life. We are seeking individuals who align with our mission and embody our core values:
Safety, Respect, Integrity, Unity, and Accountability. If you share these values and are committed to our mission, we want to hear from you!

At Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, we’re on the lookout for an enthusiastic and dedicated HR/Payroll Specialist who is eager to learn and contribute to our dynamic team. This position is a key role in supporting the PLE mission and obtaining the cooperative’s operational and strategic goals.

The HR/Payroll Specialist will be responsible for all personnel information management, payroll data processing, and benefit information updates. The HR/Payroll Specialist will assist with compliance, including state and federally mandated procedures and processes. This position will require positive working relationships, personal integrity, a high level of confidentiality, and dedication to the cooperative principles.

The following are essential responsibilities of this position and do not include marginal functions that are incidental to the performance of the fundamental job duties. The scope and duties of this position may change or be altered based on the business needs of the cooperative. The basic requirement of every position is to perform all tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.

• Deliver world‑class service to employees, retirees, and trustees positioning the Human Resource department as a trusted and reliable organizational resource.
• Build and sustain positive, respectful, and cooperative relationships across the organization to support effective collaboration.
• Provide education, information, and assistance for employees, retirees, and trustees regarding pay and benefits.
• Provides and communicates prompt, professional problem resolutions.

• Assists in the administration of the HRIS systems, including UKG-Ready, IVUE Financials, and IVUE Connect Financials.
• Maintain an up-to-date and accurate employee database.
• Maintain employee and dependent health coverage database for Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance, including issuance of annual form 1095.
• Initiate enrollments and maintain benefits and deductions through 3rd party sites, including BCBS, NRECA, and Wage Works.

• Executes all functions related to a bi-weekly payroll, including maintaining and reconciling deductions and benefits.
• Process period-end for the Payroll/Labor module including monthly reconciliation of all PTO accruals, benefits, and deductions between the Payroll/Labor module, vendor billings, and the General Ledger.
• Administer taxable employee benefits, including personal use of vehicles, group life over 50k, taxable gifts, and other reportable benefits.

• Conduct annual open enrollment including coordination with benefit vendors, employees, retirees, and trustees.
• Initiate benefit updates for employees, retirees, and trustees upon eligibility changes due to life events.
• Distribute benefits information to employees, retirees, trustees, COBRA participants, and long‑term disability participants to remain compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide retirement benefit estimates upon request.
• Coordinate annual health fair.
• Monitor employees’ years of service and issue service awards per Prairie Land policy.
• Assist the PLE Wellness committee with program coordination and accounting wellness benefits.

• Maintain up-to-date CDL and medical certificate records, including tracking expirations, organizing driver files, and conducting annual record reviews; obtain required training and support Operations in meeting Kansas CDL and CMV compliance requirements.

• Set up apprentices in the Kansas Department of Labor RAPIDS system.
• Enroll apprentices in Northwest Linemen College, order apprentice books, and assist in administering tests…