Payroll Specialist, Human Resources

Position Title

Payroll Specialist

Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Human Resources

Full-Time (37.5+ hours/week), Non-Exempt

Onsite

Payroll Supervisor

$32-$34/hour

In addition to standard pay, compensation for this position includes:

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
• Generous employer 401(k) contributions
• Employer-covered life insurance

Being able to take time away from work is critical in bringing your best self to work. Time off benefits for this position include:

• Paid vacation time and sick leave
• 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays
• 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness

JFS is looking for a compassionate, mission-driven individual to join the Human Resources team as the Payroll Specialist. The Payroll Specialist plays an integral role on the team and supports the entire agency by ensuring HRIS & Payroll data is current and accurate, as well as assisting the Payroll Supervisor with semi‑monthly payroll processing and complete off‑cycle payrolls/manual checks as needed.

This position works closely with the Payroll Supervisor and the rest of the Human Resources team.

• Payroll Processing:
  Accurately collect, review, process, and transmit semi‑monthly and off‑cycle payroll runs.
  • Processes final checks accurately (including vacation payout and final benefits deductions) for terminations.
• Data Management:
  Maintain and update employee records.
• Discrepancy Resolution:
  Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries.
• Reporting:
  Prepare, reconcile, and audit payroll reports for HR and finance/accounting.
• Review online timesheets when required for manager support or auditing purposes; confirms accuracy of hours worked, time off coding, meal breaks (including waivers and penalties), allocations, multiple pay rates, make‑up time, time sheet adjustments, etc.
• Respond to staff’s payroll and timekeeping questions in person or through e‑mail, Teams, or phone.
• Lead person to review Personnel Action Forms and ensures HRIS system is accurately updated.
• Closely follow SOPs and Policies of the department and supervision.
• Enter all Wage garnishments.
• 401k Admin:
  Complete enrollment of eligible staff in the company 401k (Fidelity) and update information as needed, including Terminations, and prepare ACH transfer forms for 401k deductions.
• Retrieve payroll documentation for auditors per requests from other departments as needed.
• Submit invoices for payment for any payroll-related services.

• Benefits reconciliation:
  Verify accuracy of benefits invoices and resolve billing discrepancies.
• Basic knowledge of Benefits plans, ensuring benefits deductions are accurate on payroll deductions.

• Must have 5+ years of payroll experience.
• Associate’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel.
• Strong ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to follow SOPs/Checklists, as well as create SOPs when new processes are created.
• Ability to analyze data.
• Highly professional and service‑oriented; able to work closely with senior leaders.
• Strong organizational skills, high attention to detail, and ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Excellent technical skills and ability to learn new systems and processes quickly.
• Experience working in HRIS systems.

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, Business, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with UKG HRIS/Payroll.
• Experience with Fidelity Retirement Plan administration.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods of time, walk, use hands to finger,…