MELISSA EILBRACHT
Analyst
American Canyon,USA
Summary
Analyst with 20 years of experience in human resources, project and payroll management. Experience in recruitment processes, personnel transactions, and analytical work. Looking for a promotional path to support organizational goals and improve operational efficiency. Passionate about fostering positive workplace cultures, strengthening team leadership, and contributing meaningfully to both organizational and community growth.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Analyst I
California Department of State Hospitals - Human Resources
Napa, CA
01.2023 - Current
- Review and authorize hiring requests to ensure appropriate documentation, approvals, and workforce needs are aligned prior to recruitment.
- Manage job postings and recruitment activities for professional, clinical, and administrative classifications.
- Conduct detailed qualification reviews to determine candidate eligibility based on classification standards and minimum requirements.
- Partner with hiring managers throughout the selection process to maintain consistent, equitable, and compliant hiring practices.
- Oversee pre-employment clearance processes, including background investigations, health screenings, and drug testing for contingent hires.
- Maintain onboarding documentation, interview records, authorization forms, and eligibility tracking to ensure audit-ready compliance.
- Interpret employment policies, classification guidelines, and compensation standards to prepare salary determinations and pay recommendations.
- Conduct research and policy review related to hiring regulations and classification criteria to support compliant staffing decisions.
- Support examination and assessment processes for specialized roles, coordinating documentation and candidate communication.
- Represent the department at career fairs, workshops, and recruitment outreach events to strengthen candidate engagement and recruitment efforts.
Personnel Specialist
California Department of State Hospitals - Human Resources
Napa, CA
12.2020 - 01.2023
- Processed payroll and HR transactions for salaried, hourly, and intermittent employees on semi-monthly and monthly cycles.
- Supported multiple departments by managing employee records, job classifications, and staffing updates across professional and exempt roles.
- Calculated and processed various pay adjustments, including bonuses, shift differentials, temporary assignments, and special compensation.
- Audited timekeeping records and leave balances to ensure accuracy and compliance with internal policies.
- Facilitated new hire on-boarding and orientation processes.
- Researched and resolved payroll discrepancies, system errors, and compensation issues.
- Calculated overtime in accordance with union agreements and state and federal labor regulations.
- Processed personnel actions including pay increases, disciplinary documentation, retirements, separations, and employment status changes.
- Assisted employees with disability-related claims and leave processes.
- Maintained and secured confidential employee personnel files in compliance with record keeping requirements.
- Supported employee retirement and separation processes, including final wage calculations.
- Served in a hybrid HR role supporting both recruitment operations and payroll administration.
- Guided and supported new employees through hands-on training in HR systems and payroll processes.
Payroll Specialist
Barrett Business Services Inc.
Napa, CA
04.2015 - 12.2020
- Supported a portfolio of 100+ diversified local client businesses with payroll, HR, compliance, and workforce operations services.
- Served as Payroll Lead, partnering with HR, Business Partners, Sales, and Workers’ Compensation Risk Analysts to coordinate client workforce needs.
- Implemented new client accounts, including payroll setup, timekeeping system integration, general ledger mapping, and data imports.
- Provided payroll training and supported paperless HR onboarding processes for client organizations.
- Generated ad hoc reports to support financial analysis, audits, and workforce data review.
- Conducted client meetings to discuss evolving business needs and payroll and HR best practices.
- Addressed workers’ compensation claim mitigation, hiring concerns, recruitment challenges, and employee turnover matters.
- Gathered documentation for multi-state workers’ compensation contracts and ensured HR compliance requirements were met.
- Reviewed client contracts and tiered pricing structures.
- Managed incident reporting matters, including workplace injuries, workplace violence, and separation-related documentation.
- Supported office operations including budgeting, billing, banking, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.
- Audited payroll data to ensure accuracy for quarterly and annual tax filings, including W-2 reporting.
- Consulted with clients on payroll and workforce matters impacted by COVID-19-related legislation and prepared payroll and financial documentation to support business relief programs, including PPP loan applications.
- Facilitated wage garnishments, including child support orders, IRS levies, state tax withholdings, and disability-related deductions.
- Served as a point of contact for employee payroll inquiries and client-related matters, researching and resolving issues to ensure compliance and accurate outcomes.
Payroll Specialist
Paychex
San Ramon, CA
07.2005 - 04.2015
- Delivered payroll processing and system training to small and mid-sized businesses across diverse industries.
- Led implementation of new client payroll accounts, including multi-state tax registrations, power of attorney documentation, and agency approvals.
- Configured payroll platforms to support garnishments, pre-tax earnings and deductions, 401(k) contributions, loan repayments, stock options, car allowances, and time-off accrual policies.
- Integrated online timekeeping systems and managed payroll data imports to ensure accurate processing.
- Served as primary contact for client payroll, HR, and tax inquiries, researching complex issues through internal systems and federal and state agency resources.
- Reviewed and monitored payroll data for monthly, quarterly, and annual tax filings, including W-2 preparation and amended returns.
- Responded to multi-state agency audits, penalty notices, and compliance inquiries.
- Generated custom and ad hoc reports to support client analysis and internal review.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with Sales, Human Resources, Workers’ Compensation, Direct Pay, and Tax teams to resolve complex account matters.
- Provided interdepartmental support and backup coverage for remote branch operations.
- Maintained current knowledge of evolving payroll laws and regulatory requirements through ongoing compliance training.
- Promoted from Small Business to Major Market Client Support, assuming responsibility for larger and more complex client accounts.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Behavioral Science
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA08.2006
Skills
- Human Resources Operations
- Full-Cycle Recruitment
- Payroll Administration
- Employment Compliance
- Project Implementation
- Workforce Planning
Certification
- Analyst Certificate Program November 2023 to Present Completed structured training focused on analytical skills, policy interpretation, research methods, and professional development for analyst-level roles.
- Paychex Payroll Professional Certificate December 2005 to Present Advanced training in payroll system implementation, tax reporting, regulatory compliance, and audit response procedures.
Awards
Employee of the Month
April 2025
Recognition for Outstanding Contribution and Team Collaboration. Acknowledged for performing duties beyond assigned responsibilities and contributing to team support and operational success.
Timeline
Analyst I
California Department of State Hospitals - Human Resources
01.2023 - Current
Personnel Specialist
California Department of State Hospitals - Human Resources
12.2020 - 01.2023
Payroll Specialist
Barrett Business Services Inc.
04.2015 - 12.2020
Payroll Specialist
Paychex
07.2005 - 04.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Behavioral Science
San Jose State University