Payroll & Benefits Specialist

About the role

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist ensures that payroll and employee benefits for West Moberly First Nations are administered accurately, compliantly, and with cultural sensitivity. Reporting to the Director of Finance and partnering closely with HR, the role supports employees throughout their employment lifecycle in a First Nation governance context.

Key responsibilities

• Provide senior‑level expertise on complex or escalated payroll and benefits issues.
• Review payroll calculations, adjustments, exceptions, and year‑end items where complexity exists.
• Support compliance with federal and provincial payroll legislation, CRA requirements, and audit expectations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll and benefits inquiries from employees, HR, and Finance.
• Identify payroll or benefits risks, process gaps, and recommend practical improvements.
• Assist accounts payable and other finance activities, including coding, review, reconciliation, and audit support.
• Collaborate with HR on employee changes affecting payroll, benefits, or leave administration.
• Support leave administration, including sick, parental, and disability‑related absences.
• Contribute payroll and benefits expertise to policy development and continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Handle all employee and financial information with discretion, confidentiality, and cultural awareness.
• Provide backup or overflow support during peak workload periods to ensure operational continuity.

Required profile

• Proven experience in payroll and benefits administration within a Canadian context.
• Strong knowledge of federal and provincial payroll legislation and CRA requirements.
• Ability to interpret complex payroll calculations and year‑end processes.
• Excellent judgment and the capacity to work independently in a First Nation governance and community environment.
• High level of confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism.
• Effective communication skills for interaction with employees, HR, and finance teams.
• Experience identifying process risks and recommending improvements.
• Background supporting accounts payable and finance functions is advantageous.

Required skills

What we offer

• Competitive salary range of $70,000‑$80,000 CAD per year.
• Robust RRSP program and comprehensive benefits package.
• Relocation assistance if needed.
• Flexible schedule with every other Friday off and two weeks paid time off during Christmas and cultural holidays.
• Full‑time 35‑hour work week in a vibrant community setting.