Payroll Administrator

The City of Decatur seeks an experienced payroll professional to oversee payroll operations for approximately 500 employees and administer payments for 350 pensioners. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, you'll manage the City's biweekly payroll and retirement payment processes, ensuring accuracy, regulatory compliance, and reliable financial administration.

This role carries significant responsibility for the City's payroll and retirement operations, combining complex payroll accounting, pension administration, financial reporting, and system oversight. Your technical expertise and sound judgment will help maintain the integrity of payroll operations and ensure employees and retirees receive accurate, timely payments.

We support our employees with a strong package that includes:

• Competitive Benefits: 14.5 paid holidays per year (including 2 employee-selected days), comprehensive health coverage, an excellent pension plan, paid vacation, and sick leave.
• Relocation Reimbursement: Financial support to help cover moving expenses for qualified candidates.
• Dedicated Health Center: Free check-ups, chronic condition management, immunizations, bloodwork, and many free prescriptions for employees and their dependents.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Funding available for continuing education and professional development.

• Manage biweekly payroll, maintaining accurate employee pay records, calculations, deductions, with holdings, garnishments, and tax deposits.
• Prepare and reconcile payroll records and financial reports, including earnings, deductions, retirement contributions, and payroll taxes.
• Identify and resolve payroll discrepancies, coordinate corrections with Human Resources, and calculate retroactive payments and wage adjustments.
• Prepare and submit quarterly and annual payroll reporting, including W-2s, W-3s, and 1099s.

• Administer three employee retirement programs, coordinating enrollment, reporting, and payments.
• Maintain pension accounts for new retirees, surviving spouses, and pension changes.
• Process monthly pension payments, submit files to pension providers, and distribute payment statements.
• Prepare biweekly retirement reports and respond to questions regarding pension payroll and payments.

• Generate payroll and financial reports using the City's MUNIS ERP and timekeeping systems.
• Reconcile employee benefit deductions with actual costs and prepare and submit payments to benefit providers.
• Assist with City-wide payroll budget preparation and analysis, including interim, annual, and biennial calculations.
• Evaluate payroll processes, recommend improvements, and develop procedures and reference materials to promote accuracy and consistent operations.
• Analyze payroll system issues, test system upgrades and fixes, and verify system performance.
• Interpret and apply applicable federal and state laws, City policies, personnel rules, union contracts, and other agreements affecting payroll.

• Explain payroll procedures, regulations, and requirements to employees and City personnel, assisting with payroll questions and forms.
• Provide lead oversight and train backup personnel on payroll procedures and reporting.
• Support labor negotiations by providing payroll data, related information, and compensation projections.
• Coordinate with Human Resources, benefit providers, auditors, and external agencies on payroll and compensation-related matters.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee and employer information and remain current on developments affecting payroll administration.

• Associate's degree (AA/AS) in business, accounting, payroll administration, or an equivalent field from a two-year college or technical school.
• 4 years of related payroll administration experience, and/or additional training,

An equivalent combination of education, experience, and training may be considered.

• Knowledge of payroll administration, including payroll preparation, processing, maintenance, and reconciliation.
• Knowledge of applicable payroll laws, regulations, and reporting requirements, including FLSA, employee leaves, benefit plans, federal W-2s and quarterly tax reporting, ACA reporting, and retirement reporting and procedures.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, procedures, union contracts, and accounting requirements.
• Ability to analyze…