Payroll Operations Specialist

About the Job

Bargaining unit consideration begins on 11/25/2025 and ends on 12/01/2025.

Pay rate: $24.23 (Step
3) - $28.83 (Step 12) ($50,398 - $59,966)

Schedule: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. The team works a hybrid schedule with in person work required on Tuesdays.

Position Overview:

The Payroll Operations Specialist role is a key position within the College of Liberal Arts Human Resources Team, primarily responsible for the accurate and compliant management of payroll, HR data,and related policy application. This position provides service across the College of Liberal Arts, including HRMS support and guidance, interpreting and applying policy provisions around pay practices across employment groups, managing employee records, and identifying operational efficiencies around payroll processing.

The specialist is required to interpret and apply policy provisions and consult on complex procedures. The College of Liberal Arts Payroll Specialist works with high attention to detail in all aspects of system monitoring and reporting to ensure data integrity and policy compliance. This role works independently to oversee all aspects of payroll coordination and compliance within the College of Liberal Arts.

The priority Final date to receive applications is January 4, 2026.

• College approver for Team Dynamix requests:
  Analyze TDX requests for policy compliance. Partner with units or other colleges to resolve inconsistencies prior to approving over to OHR Operations for processing.
• Consult on policies and procedures related to payroll, including unit workflow and requirements, University pay policies and procedures, and correct time and absence reporting.
• Performs review of accurate time reporting, verification, and balancing to ensure internal controls are followed and audit requirements are met.
• Resolve discrepancies and errors appropriately. Coordinate resolution with the department.
• Process payroll updates and off cycles as needed.
• Serve as Unit Time and Absence Administrator.

• Maintains job data integrity by conducting routine audits and analyzing data utilizing queries and reporting tools; ensures updates are incorporated so systems are compliant with all policies.
• Manage and track various changes of appointments, ie, faculty phase retirements, faculty development leaves, etc.
• Oversight of HRMS schedules and delegations.
• In coordination with the Payroll Manager, research and recommend best HRMS practices with units.

• Process and monitor employment verification.
  • Volume fluctuates with the semester cycle.
• Analyze documentation to ensure it reflects compliance with federal I-9 requirements.
• Stop Pay Report:
  Resolve discrepancies found.

• High school diploma/GED and four (4) years of general accounts transaction experience. Training/education may be substituted for up to two (2) years of experience.
• Experience working with a high volume of transactions and multiple competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service, including effective oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with MS Office suite applications, including MS Word and MS Excel.
• Must be able to complete training and show proficiency with People Soft HRMS and collegiate systems and processes.

• Experience working within a web-based enterprise HR and Payroll system.
• Experience with the People Soft HRMS 9.2.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Highly developed organization skills with high attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Intermediate computer skills in spreadsheet creation and management, and web-based reporting.
• Experience working in a higher education environment.
• Knowledge of and experience with application of University policies, workflows, and systems.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus.

CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing…