Edmonton Catholic Schools is a large urban school division whose mission is to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another. The Division is comprised of over 50,000 students and over 5,500 employees in 95 schools plus other sites.
Requisition ID: 11634
Hours Per Week: 35
Position: Existing
FTE: 1
Department: Employee Services
No Months Per Year: 12
Position Status: Permanent
Employee Group: OOS
Rate of Pay: $76,600 - $95,800
Posting Closing Date: 7/30/26
The department of Human Resource Services at Edmonton Catholic Schools is seeking a Pay and Benefits Specialist to join their team. Successful candidate will be responsible for providing accurate, timely, and compliant payroll and benefit administration services that support Division staff and contribute to equitable, efficient employee service delivery. The position supports payroll accuracy, benefit plan administration, issue resolution, and consistent service across employee groups as part of the Pay and Benefit Services team. The work has Division-wide impact and supports the department’s business and strategic plans.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Payroll Administration
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Process monthly payroll in accordance with Division policies, collective agreements, the Alberta School Act, and federal and provincial legislation and regulation;
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Complete complex payroll transactions, including retroactive salary adjustments, teacher payout adjustments, hourly pay, supplemental unemployment benefit payments, salary overpayments, manual cheques, and retirement bonuses;
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Prepare and process T4s, taxable benefits, garnishees, WCB reporting, and other year-end payroll requirements;
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Analyze payroll data to identify discrepancies, resolve issues, and support accurate payroll processing;
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Maintain accurate payroll records by entering and verifying adjustments, deductions, and benefit-related changes;
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Process employee terminations and issue records of employment accurately and within required timelines.;
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Collaborate with Human Resource Services to support accurate employee classifications and compliance with applicable employment legislation;
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Prepare monthly remittance statements, submit payment requests to Financial Services, and submit data electronically to banks or other required systems within established timelines;
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Generate annual, monthly, and ad hoc reports through data extraction from payroll and related electronic systems;
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Provide support during peak workloads, special projects, absences, and other periods requiring flexibility, including work outside core hours when needed to maintain service delivery.
Communication, Consultation and Professional Development
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Interpret and respond to inquiries related to payroll, benefits, policies, procedures, processes, regulations, legislation, collective agreements, and terms and conditions for employee groups;
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Provide timely, accurate, and appropriate responses to employees, department staff, external agencies, Financial Services, insurance carriers, and other stakeholders;
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Provide help-desk support, assist users in navigating self-service tools, and develop information resources to communicate updates affecting pay, earnings, benefits, and related processes;
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Participate in employee orientation sessions and support employees through clear, consistent guidance on payroll and benefit processes;
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Develop, maintain, and review payroll and benefit procedures, documentation, policies, systems, and reporting practices to support consistency and continuous improvement;
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Research opportunities to streamline administrative processes using emerging technology and recommend improvements to reporting functions, procedures, and service delivery;
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Build positive relationships with co-workers to support effective HR practices, service excellence, and problem resolution;
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Remain current on payroll and benefit administration changes, trends, and requirements through professional development, collaboration with other divisions, professional organizations, and government agencies.
Benefit Administration
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Ensure benefit premiums, deductions, and coverage changes are accurate, appropriate, and compliant with respective plan requirements;
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Input data from source documents to update benefit coverage and submit benefit deductions or related data electronically to banks and carriers;
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Administer Wellness Spending Account reimbursements;
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Research benefit errors, adjustments, and discrepancies and follow up with appropriate solutions.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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Diploma in Business Administration or related field and at least 4 years’ directly related experience;
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Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation from the Canadian Payroll Association (CPA);
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Direct experience with payroll in a K–12 school division is strongly preferred;
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Knowledge of payroll, benefits, and pension policies, procedures, and processes;
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Knowledge of electronic Human Resource Management System (HRMS) software; experience with PeopleSoft is an asset;
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General knowledge of the Division’s operations and business and general understanding of the Division’s mission and vision in a faith-based environment;
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Knowledge of records management principles, the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA), and the Access to Information Act (ATIA);
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Knowledge of workplace safety and awareness of Occupational Health and Safety regulations;
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Knowledge and alignment with the Division's administrative procedures.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
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Strong written and oral communication skills for conveying complex information clearly;
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Excellent data entry skills with a high level of accuracy;
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Excellent time management and organizational skills to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines;
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Ability to interpret and apply payroll legislation, collective agreements, policies, and procedures to ensure accurate and compliant payroll and benefits administration;
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Proficiency in HRMS/payroll systems and reporting tools to support payroll processing, data analysis, reconciliation, and reporting;
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Strong customer service skills with the ability to provide accurate, responsive, and professional support to employees and stakeholders;
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Strong reconciliation and audit support skills, with the ability to analyze payroll data, investigate discrepancies, and validate financial information;
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Effective teamwork skills to build positive working relationships with others;
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Strong analytical, problem-solving, and numerical accuracy skills with attention to detail;
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Demonstrates continuous improvement by identifying practical opportunities to strengthen payroll, benefit, reporting, and service processes;
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Maintains confidentiality, accuracy, and integrity when handling employee information, financial data, and sensitive service matters;
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Responds effectively to competing deadlines, workload fluctuations, and complex inquiries while maintaining professional service standards;
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Builds respectful working relationships through clear communication, active listening, and collaborative problem resolution;
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Applies sound judgment and attention to detail when interpreting requirements and making decisions that affect employee pay, benefits, and records.
WHAT WE OFFER:
Edmonton Catholic Schools is committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace that welcomes and values candidates from diverse backgrounds. We hire employees of all faiths for non-teacher positions.
As a Catholic School Division receiving public funding, our schools and departments are imbued with our Catholic Faith. Candidates are expected to exhibit respect and sensitivity towards our Catholic beliefs and practices embraced by both students and staff.
Edmonton Catholic Schools offers a comprehensive benefits program based on contract status as part of its total compensation package.
Before employment, successful candidates will be required to submit a Police Information Check and Intervention Record Check dated within six months of hiring.
Due to the high volume of applications received, only qualified candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.
