Human Resource Operations and Payroll Specialist

KIPP TEAM & Family is our network office that includes support teams - such as Leadership Development, Recruitment, Advocacy, Facilities, Finance, HR and more - dedicated to empowering our schools and ensuring the success of KIPP students throughout New Jersey and Miami. Our schools are part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. The first KIPP New Jersey school opened in Newark in 2002 and since then our school network has expanded to educate 8,684 students in grades K-12. By 2027, KIPP New Jersey will provide a world-class education to over 10,300 students across Newark and Camden. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org.

In 2018, we grew our KIPP community in response to a need for high-quality school options for students in Greater Miami’s Urban Core communities. That led to the creation of KIPP Miami, which currently educates more than 1,200 students in 2 schools, with plans to reach 5,800 students by 2026. By offering highly effective educators with strong bonds to families, more time in school learning, services that support a variety of student needs, and a culture focused on achievement, our students in New Jersey and Miami are on the path to and through college, career, and choice-filled lives.

Here’s what you need to know:

The Human Resources Operations and Payroll Specialist at KIPP TEAM and Family will provide high-touch customer service and day-to-day HR operational, payroll and administrative support to a designated portfolio of schools within the KIPP NJ-KIPP Miami regions. A significant portion of this role will focus on processing semi-monthly payroll and performing adjustments related to quarterly and yearly payroll and tax reconciliations, providing audit and reporting support, and assisting with general payroll-related inquiries. The Specialist will collaborate and work closely with the full Human Resources and Payroll team. This role will also serve as the primary HR Operations contact for their portfolio of schools. Responsibilities include managing pre-boarding, onboarding and off-boarding processes, zen desk support, facilitating new hire orientations, maintaining accurate employee records, supporting audits, and contributing to special projects. The Specialist will also oversee hiring within the HRIS and help ensure HR compliance across the region.

This a hybrid role: in-person requirement to be in the office at a minimum twice a week, and additional in-person time is necessary based on organizational needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• HR Operations Support
  • Maintain and update employee records and personnel files in the HRIS with a high degree of accuracy.
  • Respond to employment verifications, wage garnishments, and compliance requests (e.g., “Pass the Trash” forms).
  • Ensure data integrity across systems and support document retention and confidentiality practices.
  • Assist with internal and external audits by providing requested reports and documentation.
  • Provide cross-functional HR support and contribute to special projects as needed.
• Zendesk Support
  • Act as the first point of contact for HR-related employee inquiries via Zendesk, delivering high-quality service and timely responses.
  • Assign help desk tickets to appropriate team members and ensure issues are resolved within service timelines.
  • Contribute to self-service resources by recommending updates to HR Wiki, help center articles, macros, and newsletters.
• Pre-boarding, Onboarding & Offboarding
  • Facilitate a seamless pre-boarding and onboarding experience, including offering weekly onboarding office hours and personalized support.
  • Support new hire orientation and help troubleshoot technical integration issues between the applicant tracking system and HRIS.
  • Monitor compliance with pre-employment requirements (e.g., KnowBe4 training, handbook acknowledgments), tracking and reporting completion.
  • Ensure smooth offboarding by managing termination processes in the HRIS and communicating transitions to key stakeholders.
• Payroll & Time Management System
  • Compile and record payroll data such as bonuses, stipends, overtime, and deductions to ensure accurate processing.
  • Review and confirm timecard submissions for completeness and correctness.
  • Collaborate with external vendors to troubleshoot timekeeping and payroll system issues.
• Payroll Processing & Compliance
  • Accurately process semi-monthly payrolls, including changes for new hires, terminations, leave, and rate adjustments.
  • Partner with the Payroll Director on quarterly and year-end reconciliations, adjustments, and tax submissions.
  • Support payroll and tax audits by preparing reports and conducting internal reviews.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll and tax regulations and contribute to the accuracy of payroll testing and reporting.

• 2–4 years of experience in HR and payroll, preferably in a school district or nonprofit environment.
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll processing and employee data management.
• Familiarity with payroll and HRIS platforms (e.g., ADP, Paycom, etc.).
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and customer service skills with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.

KIPP Team & Family offers a market-competitive salary ranging from $70,000-$85,000.  Salary ranges at KIPP are set based upon the role level and function using benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector and allow for growth within the role.  Individual compensation within this range will be set  based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to: relevant professional experience and qualifications; education, skills and training; and market conditions.  

In addition to a competitive salary, we a generous benefits package including, but not limited to, the following:  

• Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision 
• Optional participation in the KIPP NJ 403b retirement plan, including matching contributions
• A school-issued laptop
• Transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into Newark from the New York City area
• Generous Time-Off including 3.5-4 school vacation weeks (depending on the year), allocated sick and personal days, and an extended summer break 
• Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave for primary caregivers
• Employer paid life insurance
• Extensive optional ancillary benefits including, short term and long term disability and accident and hospital indemnity

Our organization is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, citizen status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organization will make a reasonable accommodation to known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the organization. No questions on this application are asked for any unlawful purpose.