Garnishment Specialist

ExtensisHR, one of the largest Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) in the U.S. with client employees in all fifty states, is looking for talented people to join our team. If you want to contribute your talents, make a bigger impact, and be part of the growing PEO & HRO industry, we are interested in talking to you. Our renowned industry leadership in customer service starts with our people. You can contribute to delivering on our brand promise of helping organizations succeed through our people-first approach in solving customer’s ever-evolving HR needs. Our HR offerings include personalized services for HR, employee benefits, payroll and taxes, employer risk, compliance, and employee management. Today, we manage over $3 billion in employment-related costs annually—and we are growing every day.

For more information about the company visit www.ExtensisHR.com

The Garnishment Specialist owns the end-to-end processing and compliance of wage garnishments, income withholding orders, and levies across our PEO client base. Working at the intersection of Legal & Compliance and Payroll, this role ensures that every order received, whether child support, tax levy, creditor garnishment, student loan, or bankruptcy, is validated, implemented accurately, remitted on time, and documented in line with federal and state law. Because we operate as a co-employer for many worksite employers across multiple jurisdictions, this role requires strong attention to detail, the ability to identify conflicting or unclear orders and escalate them appropriately, and clear communication with clients, employees, courts, and agencies.

Order Intake & Review

• Receive, log, and review incoming garnishment orders, income withholding orders (IWOs), tax levies, and related notices from courts, state disbursement units, government agencies, creditors, and attorneys
• Validate each order for authenticity, jurisdiction, proper service, and completeness before implementation
• Identify the correct employer of record, and coordinate with clients when an order is directed to the wrong entity or contains errors
• Meet statutory response deadlines, including employer answers and acknowledgment forms

Calculation & Processing

• Calculate withholding amounts accurately based on disposable earnings, applicable federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) and state limits, and order type
• Apply priority rules when multiple orders exist for one employee, and determine allocation among competing orders
• Work with internal payroll to set up, update, suspend, or release deductions in the payroll system before each pay cycle
• Review pre-payroll and post-payroll reports to confirm garnishments were applied correctly, and resolve exceptions.
• Process garnishment adjustments for terminations, final pay, leaves of absence, multi-state employees, and lump-sum payments in accordance with established procedures, and escalate unusual or unclear situations to Legal & Compliance. 

Remittance & Reconciliation

• Ensure timely, accurate remittance to the appropriate agencies, state disbursement units, courts, and payees, in compliance with state deadlines
• Reconcile garnishment liability accounts and resolve discrepancies with Payroll and Finance
• Research and correct misapplied or misdirected payments, and process refunds or adjustments as needed

Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state garnishment laws, withholding limits, fee allowances, and employer obligations across all jurisdictions where we operate
• Identify and escalate potential employer liability exposure (e.g., failure to withhold, late remittance, improper processing) to the SVP, Legal & Compliance
• Escalate complex matters, disputes, and exemption claims to Legal, and coordinate with outside counsel when needed
• Maintain complete, audit-ready documentation for every order, calculation, and remittance
• Support internal and external audits, client inquiries, and agency requests

Client & Employee Communication

• HR and payroll contacts regarding garnishment status, requirements, and procedures”Communicate order details, deduction schedules, and required actions to clients and employees clearly and professionally
• Respond to employee, agency, attorney, and creditor inquiries in a timely, compliant manner, while protecting confidentiality
• Notify employees of withholding as required, and direct them to the appropriate party for disputes or exemption claims

Process Improvement & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with the Sr. Director of Payroll and the payroll team to align garnishment processes with payroll calendars, cutoffs, and system capabilities
• Develop and maintain SOPs, job aids, state-by-state reference guides, and training materials
• Identify opportunities to improve accuracy, turnaround time, and automation, including electronic order intake and e-remittance
• Produce regular reporting on volume, aging, deadlines, exceptions, and compliance metrics for Legal & Compliance and Payroll leadership
• Performs additional responsibilities as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department and the organization.

AI Utilization and Literacy:

• A key function of this role includes the effective use and understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to enhance productivity, decision-making, and overall performance. This position is expected to maintain awareness of emerging AI applications relevant to their responsibilities, apply AI tools ethically and effectively, and continuously develop their AI proficiency.

• 3–5 years of experience in garnishment processing, payroll compliance, or a related function, preferably in a PEO, payroll service bureau, or multi-state employer environment
• Working knowledge of federal and state garnishment laws, including the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA), child support withholding rules, IRS levies, and bankruptcy-related withholding
• Strong analytical and math skills, with the ability to apply disposable earnings calculations and priority rules accurately
• Experience with payroll systems and the interaction between payroll processing and deduction setup
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain legal requirements to non-legal audiences
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and the ability to manage competing deadlines across a high volume of orders
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and document management or case management tools
• High level of discretion in handling sensitive personal and financial information

Preferred

• Experience working in a co-employment or PEO environment with many client entities
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), or equivalent credential
• Paralegal certificate or legal/compliance background
• Experience with automated garnishment platforms or electronic order exchange (e.g., e-IWO)
• Familiarity with multi-state tax and withholding requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, human resources, legal studies, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Key Competencies

• Accuracy and integrity: zero-tolerance mindset for errors that affect employee pay or create legal exposure
• Judgment: knows when to apply a rule, when to ask, and when to escalate
• Dual-reporting agility: comfortable taking direction from Legal & Compliance while collaborating day to day with Payroll
• Customer service orientation: professional and empathetic with employees and clients in sensitive situations
• Time management: meets statutory and payroll deadlines consistently
• Adaptability: keeps pace with changing laws and varying requirements across jurisdictions

Success Measures

• 100% of orders acknowledged and implemented within statutory and payroll deadlines
• Low error and rework rates, with timely correction of any exceptions
• Clean audit results and complete documentation
• Accurate and timely remittances, with reconciled liability accounts
• Strong satisfaction ratings from internal payroll partners and client contacts

Working Conditions

• Primarily office or remote desk-based work, with extended periods of computer use
• Peak workloads around payroll cutoffs and month-end; occasional extended hours may be required
• Handles confidential employee financial and legal information

Physical Demands: 

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while performing desk-related tasks. 

• Prolonged use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse, requiring repetitive motion. 

• Ability to lift and carry office supplies or equipment up to 20 pounds. 

• Occasional bending, reaching, and twisting to retrieve files or supplies. 

• Ability to walk throughout the office, including moving between different departments or meeting rooms. 

• Ability to communicate effectively in person and via phone or video conferencing. 

• Ability to focus and maintain attention for long periods while working on various tasks. 

• Must be able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form. 
• Occasional travel may be required. 

• The work environment is typically quiet and climate-controlled, with standard office equipment available. 

• This role may be performed in a hybrid or remote setting, depending on business needs and employee accommodation. 

Position Salary:

$80k-105k

Effective 06/1/2025 NJ passed a Pay Transparency Law which requires NJ based hiring to include a compensation range on each job posting. This compensation range is presented in good faith for candidates that are hired in these roles will be presented a salary within the range stated on the job posting.

At ExtensisHR, we recognize there are many factors that influence your overall satisfaction both at work, and in your personal life. Under our ‘You Supported Program,’ we provide a great mixture of compensation, benefits, company culture, and resources to our employees that help you reach a happier, more balanced life. Some of these offerings include:  

• Competitive compensation to reward you for your hard work every day.
• Progressive Paid-Time Off Program for you to enjoy time out of the office, including time off for volunteering and life events.
• Group Medical, Dental, Vision and Life insurance to encourage a healthy lifestyle available from day one. 
• Pretax Spending Accounts to ease taxes on health and dependent care expenses.
• 401k and IRA retirement plans, employer contributions.
• Extensive professional development programs to help you get to where you want to go in your career.
• Employee Discounts on retail and entertainment.
• A social and community outreach committee that promotes a fun inclusive culture through in-office events and networking opportunities. 
• Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DEI) committee that promotes organization DEI initiatives and employee engagement.
• Complimentary coffee and snacks to keep you fueled and productive throughout the day.

Work Environment:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable. 

ExtensisHR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: ExtensisHR is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at ExtensisHR are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. ExtensisHR will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.