HR Specialist
Automate your job search with Sonara.
Submit 10x as many applications with less effort than one manual application.1
Reclaim your time by letting our AI handle the grunt work of job searching.
We continuously scan millions of openings to find your top matches.

Job Description
Abacus Staffing, a leading provider of comprehensive employment/placement solutions, is seeking market talent. We offer meaningful and long-term employment opportunities, competitive pay structure and outstanding customer service to a workforce of more than 20,000, nationally.
Job Title: HR Specialist- Direct Hire not contracted!
Job Location: Chesapeake, VA
Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Overview:
The Payroll and Benefit Specialist support the daily functions of the Human Resources (HR) department, focusing on the administration of benefits programs, payroll, HR systems, and compliance. This role works closely with the HR Manager and other team members in the HR department in supporting and advising management on HR operations matters. The Payroll and Benefit Specialist also assist in assessing and anticipating the HR-related needs of YA. As a specialist, this role has responsibilities in maintaining HR systems, employee benefits programs, processing workers’ compensation claims, assisting with audits, preparing analytical reports, payroll processing, and employment law compliance.
Job Duties:
- Oversees and maintains optimal function of HR systems, which may include installation, customization, development, maintenance, and upgrade to applications, systems, and modules. Collaborates with leadership to identify system improvements and enhancements; recommends and implements solutions.
- Serves as the main point of contact and liaison between HR and external HR systems’ vendors.
- Responsible for creating, managing, and maintaining employee personnel records and HRIS information, including processing all changes into employee records, preparing reports and statistical summaries from records, and providing verifications of employment and reference checks for active and terminated employees.
- Assists in managing the open enrollment process and administering employee benefit plans. Assists in working with the third-party administrator to resolve claim disputes with providers when necessary. Review and verify monthly provider bills.
- Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes, and other general inquiries in conjunction with the third-party administrator.
- Processes and administers all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork: medical, disability, and FMLA. Effectively assists with interpreting FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absence/disabilities and reasonable accommodation requests.
- Manages bi-weekly payroll process, including bi-weekly updates to employee files, bonus pay, tracking vacation/sick pay, inputting exceptions, hourly employee validations, and benefit changes.
- Assists in maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommends best practices; reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance.
Other Functions:
- Act as primary back-up for HR Representative, as needed.
Qualifications:
- 3+ years of experience with ADP Payroll software and benefits, including ADP Workforce Now
- Knowledge of qualified overtime regulations and payroll compliance requirements
- Experience with timekeeping and workforce management systems, including E-Time and Ceridian Dayforce (Carrier Connection preferred)
- Excellent data entry skills with strong attention to detail
- Prior experience in a corporate or manufacturing environment preferred
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, ethics, and cultural awareness
- Resourceful problem-solver with thorough knowledge of HR procedures and policies
- Advanced MS Office skills and comfort learning new technical systems
- Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
- Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
- Must be able to access and navigate each department.
Automate your job search with Sonara.
Submit 10x as many applications with less effort than one manual application.
