Payroll Specialist

Job Overview

Under the general supervision of the Payroll Director, the purpose of this position is to process the monthly payroll for Faculty/Staff and to ensure compliance with Lamar University and the Texas State University System payroll policies and procedures. This will be accomplished by ensuring that timely and accurate data is entered into the payroll system, including entering pay adjustments, reviewing the accuracy of new hire benefit deductions and benefit changes, entering TINS data into the Uniform Statewide Accounting System, generating payroll reports and maintaining those reports per the university retention schedule, submitting electronic payments for ERS insurance, Tex Flex, HSA and Allstate, and backing up other Payroll Specialists as required.

• Process monthly payroll in compliance with Lamar University and TSUS payroll policies, including reviewing and entering payroll adjustments (retro pay, dock pay, terminal vacation), verifying pay for employees on FMLA, processing terminations and reclassifications, and reconciling employee benefits.
• Review and validate new hire benefits and benefit changes, including retirement, insurance plans, child support, and other wage garnishments, to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Generate, distribute, and maintain monthly payroll reports for use by payroll staff, university departments, and external vendors; retain reports in shared systems in accordance with records retention requirements.
• Maintain payroll accounting feeds and submit payroll liabilities and refunds, including ERS Insurance, Tex Flex, HSA, and Allstate through electronic data uploads, wire transfers, and TEXNET payments.
• Enter employee TINS corrections into the Banner system and the Uniform Statewide Accounting System (USAS).
• Rotate in answering emails for the department’s generalized email.
• Participate in shared payroll operations with other universities, perform related duties assigned by the Payroll Director, serve as a backup to other Payroll Specialists, and attend meetings and trainings.

• High School Diploma or Equivalent Experience.
• Entry‑level, minimum of 2 years of payroll‑related experience.

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or finance.
• Completion of the payroll certificate program or an accounting certificate.

• Knowledge of payroll processing practices, employee benefits, tax with holdings, garnishments, and payroll reporting requirements.
• Skills in generating, reviewing, and reconciling payroll and benefits reports.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong customer service skills.

• Work is primarily sedentary and requires repetitive use of hands and fingers for keyboarding, data entry, and other fine motor skills.
• Frequent sitting and periodic standing or walking throughout the day.
• Regular, reliable physical attendance is required to meet payroll deadlines and operational needs.

• Typical schedule is M‑F 8 am‑5 pm, with some after‑hours work.