HR Payroll Benefits Consultant & Administrator

MELANNIE BARNES

HR • PAYROLL • BENEFITS • HRIS • ADMINISTRATION

Ware, MA 01082 413-***-**** *********@*******.***

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Experienced Human Resources, Payroll, Benefits, and Administrative Professional with 25+ years of progressively responsible experience supporting organizations and workforces of 50–150+ employees. Strong background in payroll administration, benefits, employee services, HR operations, employee records, staff supervision, office management, and process improvement.

Currently providing HR consulting services to Second Chance Animal Services, advising management on employee relations, personnel decisions, policy interpretation, and confidential HR documentation. Also experienced in complex school-district payroll and benefits administration, including employee contracts, union provisions, and retirement reporting.

Proficient in Harpers Employee Forward HRIS, Paychex Flex, Microsoft Excel, Word, Microsoft Office, Google Sheets, Adobe Acrobat, and ReadySign. Recognized for accuracy, confidentiality, organization, problem-solving, independent judgment, and the ability to quickly learn complex systems, regulations, contracts, and procedures. Proven process-improvement professional who helped transition an organization to a paperless environment, increasing efficiency by 43%.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

Payroll Processing & Administration School District Payroll

Benefits Administration HR Administration & Employee Services

Harpers Employee Forward HRIS Paychex Flex

MTRS, HCRS & HCGIT Requirements Employee Contracts & Union Provisions

Salary Schedules & Contractual Adjustments Encumbrances

Stipends & Lump-Sum Payments Summer & 21-Pay Schedules

Employee Records & Data Management Confidential Records Management

HR Consulting & Leadership Advisory Employee Relations & Investigations

Compliance & Regulations Problem Solving & Independent Judgment

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL SERVICES

HR Consultant Current

Provide comprehensive human resources guidance and support to nonprofit leadership, managers, and employees.

Support recruitment, onboarding, orientation, employee relations, workplace investigations, training, and employee development.

Advise leadership on sensitive personnel matters, workplace concerns, policy interpretation, and employee documentation.

Support accommodation requests and evaluate practical staffing solutions in consultation with organizational leadership.

Prepare confidential HR records, employee communications, and personnel documentation with discretion and consistency.

GRANBY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Payroll & Benefits Specialist June 2026 – Present

Administer payroll and benefits processes for school-district employees while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.

Develop and apply working knowledge of 20+ employee contracts and bargaining agreements, including MTA union-related provisions.

Apply contract-specific requirements to payroll, compensation, benefits, salary schedules, and employee records.

Process various forms of compensation, including lump-sum payments, stipends, summer pay, and 21-pay schedules.

Maintain working knowledge of encumbrances and their role in school-district payroll and financial processes.

Perform and support MTRS and HCRS reporting and HCGIT-related requirements.

Maintain accurate employee payroll and benefits information and respond to employee questions and requests.

Work with multiple employee groups and contractual requirements to ensure accurate payroll processing.

Utilize Harpers Employee Forward HRIS and related systems to maintain employee information and support payroll and benefits functions.

Research and resolve payroll and benefits issues in collaboration with colleagues and leadership.

Handle confidential personnel, payroll, and benefits information with discretion and attention to detail.

Quickly learn and apply complex contracts, regulations, compensation rules, retirement requirements, and payroll procedures.

Initiated process-improvement efforts to streamline recurring payroll and benefits tasks and improve efficiency.

BIG Y WORLD CLASS

Employee Services Representative December 2025 – June 2026

Provided employee service and administrative support in a fast-paced environment.

Assisted employees with questions, requests, and workplace-related needs while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.

Collaborated with employees, team members, and management to resolve issues efficiently.

Managed multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.

BYI PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL & CARPENTRY

HR & Payroll Manager July 2019 – July 2025

Managed HR and payroll functions for an organization supporting 150+ employees.

Oversaw payroll administration, employee records, HR documentation, benefits support, and administrative operations.

Utilized Paychex Flex for payroll and employee administration.

Supervised staff and coordinated daily administrative responsibilities and priorities.

Developed and implemented improved office processes and procedures to increase efficiency.

Helped transition the company to a paperless environment, increasing efficiency by 43%.

Identified workflow challenges and implemented practical solutions to reduce administrative inefficiencies and costs.

Managed multiple projects, schedules, deadlines, and competing priorities while maintaining accuracy.

Utilized Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Sheets, Adobe Acrobat, ReadySign, and digital filing systems to manage HR and administrative functions.

Maintained confidential employee and business information with discretion.

Served as a resource for employees and management in resolving HR, payroll, and administrative issues.

Communicated effectively with employees, management, vendors, and other stakeholders.

TECHNOLOGY

HRIS & Payroll: Harpers Employee Forward HRIS • Paychex Flex

Microsoft Office: Word • Excel • Microsoft Office Suite — Advanced Proficiency

Google Workspace: Google Sheets • Spreadsheets & Data Management

Document & Digital Systems: Adobe Acrobat • ReadySign • Electronic Records & Document Management • Paperless Office Systems

PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS

Exceptional attention to detail • Strong planning and organization • Advanced Excel and Word skills • Written and verbal communication • Independent judgment and initiative • Problem solving • Confidentiality and discretion • Staff leadership and supervision • Process improvement • Ability to learn complex regulations and procedures quickly • Positive working relationships • Deadline-driven performance

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