Payroll Specialist

• Own semi-monthly payroll and 401K processing across two entities, including input validation, deduction changes, and post-run reconciliation.
• Ensure payroll policies and practices comply with federal and state requirements regarding employment classifications and leave.
• Coordinate new employer registration requirements and respond to state payroll tax notices across 30+ states.
• Support year-end W-2 preparation and partner with Benefits team on payroll-benefits alignment.

This role ensures operational excellence and legal compliance, enabling Protect Democracy to focus on its mission of preventing democratic decline and preserving democratic norms.

• 3–7 years of experience administering multi-state payroll, including mixed workforce classifications.
• Demonstrated experience with state-specific compliance requirements, including California-specific obligations.
• Experience with Paychex or similar platforms and strong attention to detail.
• Strong communication, writing, and administrative skills; ability to work in a distributed team.

Remote based in the US. Compensation not specified. Benefits include working with a collaborative team committed to democracy.

Protect Democracy is a nonpartisan nonprofit formed in 2016 with the mission to prevent democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. The team includes 130+ experts from diverse backgrounds.