Senior Payroll Specialist

Under the general direction of the Chief Business Officer (CBO), the Senior Payroll Specialist performs advanced technical payroll duties to ensure the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll for Lifeline Education Charter School. This position is responsible for reviewing, auditing, and processing payroll transactions; maintaining payroll records; researching and resolving complex payroll issues; interpreting applicable laws, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements;

and providing exceptional customer service to employees, administrators, and School personnel.

The Senior Payroll Specialist exercises independent judgment in analyzing payroll data, resolving discrepancies, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, and supporting continuous process improvement initiatives. The position serves as a technical resource on payroll procedures, time reporting, taxation, retirement reporting, wage garnishments, leaves, and employee compensation matters.

Work hours are 7:30am – 4:00pm, Monday-Friday (although these hours may vary and may require occasional evening and weekend work based on organizational needs). Possession of a valid California Driver’s License is preferred as employees may be occasionally asked to travel to school site or other offices.

Compensation: $73,000.00 - $79,017.55.

Note:

New hires begin on step 1 of the salary schedule.

• Process and review payroll transactions accurately and timely in accordance with established payroll schedules and deadlines.
• Audit payroll data including employee earnings, deductions, tax with holdings, retirement contributions, leave balances, and benefit deductions.
• Review employee time and attendance records for accuracy and compliance with policies, labor agreements, and applicable regulations.
• Process personnel and pay-related transactions including new hires, transfers, promotions, salary adjustments, stipends, overtime, extra-duty pay, terminations, and leave adjustments.
• Calculate and process special payments including retroactive pay, bonuses, settlements, severance payments, final, and manual checks as needed.
• Reconcile payroll records and identify, investigate, and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and supporting documentation in accordance with established retention requirements.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Fiscal Services, Benefits, Retirement, and district personnel to ensure accurate payroll processing.
• Support and share knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned with team members.
• Utilize payroll, HRIS, ERP, timekeeping, and workforce management systems to process and maintain payroll data.
• Support payroll system implementations, upgrades, testing, and process enhancement initiatives.
• Assist in documenting payroll procedures and developing training materials.
• Research and resolve complex payroll issues, discrepancies, and employee concerns.
• Interpret payroll policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable Education Code provisions.
• Analyze payroll data and identify trends, errors, or process improvement opportunities.
• Respond to inquiries from employees, administrators, district personnel, retirement systems, tax agencies, and other external organizations.
• Serve as a payroll subject matter expert and provide technical guidance regarding payroll procedures and requirements.
• Communicate complex payroll information clearly and professionally in both written and verbal formats.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee, payroll, and personnel information.
• Provide training and support to timekeepers, managers, School staff, and other stakeholders as needed.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, including FLSA, payroll tax requirements, retirement reporting, wage garnishments, and employment-related regulations.
• Prepare, analyze, reconcile, and distribute payroll reports, earnings statements, deduction reports, tax reports, retirement reports, and other required documentation.
• Assist with audits conducted by internal departments, school districts, retirement systems, and regulatory agencies.
• Prepare and submit required payroll reports and filings to external agencies and stakeholders.
• Monitor changes in payroll laws, regulations, and reporting requirements and assist in implementing necessary procedural updates.
• Participate in special projects and perform…