Payroll Technician; PT

The Payroll Technician ensures accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll for the City's workforce of over 450 regular employees and a dynamic number of over 300 seasonal employees. Along with one other employee, this position collaboratively works on the full payroll cycle, maintains employee records, and processes changes such as new hires, pay updates, and direct deposits.

This position serves on the nine-member Human Resources team as a trusted resource for employees by providing clear, respectful payroll support and delivering responsive customer service to internal staff and external partners. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented payroll professional who values fairness, accuracy, and contributing to an equitable workplace.

• Ensures all timesheets are submitted and approved.
• Prepares and formats electronic files for upload from specialized timecard systems. Includes verifying and correcting time entries as needed, including FMLA, overtime, etc.
• Co-manages the payroll email inbox. Ensures all tasks and requests received via email are completed and files emails in the appropriate folders.
• Conducts reviews of onboarding documents to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. This includes I-9 documents, direct deposit information, W-4's, etc.
• Enters new employee demographic and payroll information into HRIS and timecard systems, if applicable, by retrieving necessary electronic documents. Emails employees with instructions for accessing the payroll and timekeeping system.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state and bargaining contract language to process payroll, including retirement plans, overtime, severance, effective dates and deductions.
• Provides internal customer service by responding to employees’ questions regarding payroll, how to change W-4s, addresses, etc, and administrative support to the Human Resources team and participates in City initiatives.
• Provides external customer service to mortgage companies and other vendors by completing employment verifications.
• Completes annual reporting and updates employee status files for the state retirement plan and prepares various reports as requested.
• Verifies accuracy and processes payroll updates for current employees, such as pay changes, terminations, direct deposit changes, W-4 changes, etc.
• Reviews payment files for accuracy, including identifying and resolving discrepancies and makes corrections as necessary.
• Reviews all seasonal employees to verify they remain ineligible for Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). If eligibility changes, notifies the supervisor and enrolls the employee in the PERA plan.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Associate's degree in finance, payroll, human resources or related field.

Two years of experience in finance, payroll, or human resources.

None.

An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

• Demonstrates strong attention to detail and time management skills.
• Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, with specific emphasis on Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment to solve problems in compliance with established policies, procedures, and practices.
• Ability to independently organize and coordinate work, set priorities, manage multiple assignments, and work successfully within deadlines and time constraints.
• Ability to respect and maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information, issues, and projects in accordance with Data Practices guidelines.
• Ability to accurately interpret and explain complex information.
• Ability to clearly, concisely, and effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interact with, develop, and maintain positive and professional working relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to relate to and collaborate effectively with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectations.
• Embraces and engages in a…