Payroll Specialist

Job Description

The City of Richland is looking for an enthusiastic Payroll Specialist to join our team! The ideal candidate has a strong sense of ownership and thrives on serving others. Currently the City has approximately 593 FTEs and 8 Collective Bargaining Agreements.

$32.55-$45.47 hourly

$39.06 hourly

Starting salaries generally fall between the minimum and midpoint of the range. Each offer depends on the candidate’s experience and qualifications, internal pay equity, and available budget. Salary offers are negotiated individually based on these factors.

Performs difficult administrative support work assisting in the planning, coordination and implementation of functions related to payroll administration; interacts with department supervisors/managers and employees by providing customer service and technical assistance requiring a thorough knowledge and understanding of payroll policies, procedures, practices and automated systems, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Finance Manager (“supervisor”).

All employees are expected to model and foster the City of Richland’s core values in the performance of their duties and their interactions while representing the City. The values of Teamwork, Integrity, and Excellence promote and maintain a high level of morale and productivity and are the tie that binds all City employees together, across all functions.

• Valid driver's license.

High school diploma or GED and three (3) years of experience providing administrative support and payroll administration, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Intermediate or higher proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Access.
• Experience with payroll for collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience with extracting data through reports or queries and analyzing payroll data to provide information to management and outside parties.
• Experience processing quarterly State & Federal payroll tax reports.

This position will be opened until filled with a first review of candidates taking place on February 23, 2026.

Selection will be based on overall qualifications, skills testing, and an interview process. Final candidate selected will be subject to a comprehensive background/reference check commensurate to the position.

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Additional duties of a similar nature and level may also be assigned. The City may make reasonable accommodations to enable a qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Administers and maintains the City’s automated payroll system and related payroll processes; ensures proper pay rates and individual payroll changes are processed into the payroll system accurately; prepares, processes and calculates a variety of payroll actions including wage garnishments, benefits withholding, overtime calculations and workers compensation time loss payments.
• Audits timesheets and other payroll records ensuring compliance with City policies, respective collective bargaining agreements and legal requirements.
• Prepares periodic and annual documents and reports required by State, Federal and other agencies related to the City’s employment and compensation activities; prepares reports and forwards payments of tax and benefit deductions to appropriate agencies and vendors.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of detailed and comprehensive records, reports and files; prepares and distributes written communications to employees, retirees, vendors, outside agencies, and other parties, including locating materials or documents as needed.
• Serves as liaison with other departments, State, and Federal agencies and benefit providers on matters related to salary and benefit payments and deductions; researches, responds to questions, and makes necessary corrections; provides information and services to other City…