Payroll Specialist

The City of La Verne is seeking a detail‑oriented, experienced Payroll Specialist to join our Finance team. This critical role performs highly technical and confidential payroll administration for all City employees while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and CalPERS requirements.

36 hour work week;
Monday-Thursday

• Final date to receive applications:
  January 13, 2026
• Preliminary Interviews:
  January 27, 2026
• Final Interviews:
  February 4, 2026

Under general supervision, performs highly technical and confidential payroll administration duties for all City employees; ensures accurate and timely payroll processing; supports all personnel budgeting, position control; provides payroll documentation and support for all audits; interprets and applies Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), City policies, and federal and state payroll regulations; coordinates closely with Human Resources Departments; and performs related duties as assigned.

• Prepare, audit, and process bi‑weekly payroll for all City employees.
• Ensure payroll compliance with CalPERS, IRS, FLSA, DOL, MOUs, and City policies.
• Review timecards, overtime, specialty pays, accruals, retroactive adjustments, and payouts.
• Maintain payroll records, employee master files, and pay code structures.
• Reconcile payroll registers, benefit deductions, and special compensation items.
• Provide all payroll‑related reports and documentation required for internal, external, and regulatory audits.
• Administer and reconcile payroll deductions for benefits and coordinate with HR on changes.
• Prepare and file payroll‑related federal and state reports.
• Serve as the primary payroll contact during financial audits, workers’ compensation audits, CalPERS audits, payroll tax audits, and internal control reviews.
• Assist in development and maintenance of personnel budget data, and position control.
• Train departmental staff on timekeeping procedures and payroll documentation requirements.
• Assist with payroll system testing, upgrades, and ERP module changes.

• Accurate and detail oriented, with a strong understanding of payroll laws and government compliance.
• Experienced in governmental payroll, CalPERS compensation rules, and FLSA regulations.
• Skilled in analysis, able to reconcile complex payroll data.
• Dependable under deadlines and committed to high quality work.

• Governmental payroll processing and reporting requirements.
• Personnel budgeting, and position control.
• CalPERS rules governing compensation reporting.
  
  FLSA rules governing overtime, exemptions, and hours worked.
• MOUs and special pay provisions.
• ERP payroll systems and automated timekeeping.
• Federal and State tax laws related to payroll.
• Documentation standards for audit readiness.

• Prepare, analyze, and reconcile complex payroll and personnel budget data.
• Interpret and apply MOUs, policies, labor laws, and audit requirements.
• Prepare audits.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Communicate effectively with employees, management, auditors, and outside agencies.
• Train staff in payroll procedures and compliance.
• Work accurately under deadlines.

Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible payroll experience, preferably in a governmental agency.

Education: High school graduation or equivalent required. College coursework in accounting, business administration, public administration, or human resources is desirable.

• Operate standard office equipment including computers, calculators, phones, and copiers.
• Prepare reports and manage documentation.
• Sit for extended periods and lift up to 15 pounds.
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally.

The City reserves the right to select applicants for further consideration who demonstrate the best qualifications match for the position. Meeting the required minimum qualifications does not guarantee an applicant an invitation to the next step(s) in the selection process. Those candidates whose experience and training most closely match the City’s needs may be invited to participate in the selection process, which may include a combination of…