Payroll Specialist

A.O. Reed is seeking a full‑time Payroll Specialist
; this is an in‑person position located in our San Diego, CA Office. The Payroll Specialist provides a wide variety of payroll‑related activities, requires working knowledge of payroll processing, including state and local taxes, and demands excellent attention to detail, solid communication, customer service, and organizational skills. The applicant must have the proven ability to always handle confidential information with the highest level of integrity and will help develop and drive consistency across the organization.

These essential functions are primary job duties that incumbents must be able to perform unassisted or with some reasonable accommodation.

• Accurately track, calculate, and submit all monthly union reports, rosters, and benefit contributions to ensure full compliance with active labor agreements.
• Review and audit new hire and departure notifications from Spectrum to ensure 100% accuracy of data entered in the payroll system. Communicate any required data corrections to Human Resources immediately after the audit.
• Update employee payroll records by entering changes to tax status and employee direct deposit information.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll. Calculate pay for contract personnel and process off‑cycle checks, including retroactive pay increases, final paychecks, and corrections.
• Process involuntary deductions such as wage levies or garnishments. Calculate and deduct from employees’ wages in accordance with the order.
• Respond to requests for verification of employment.
• Coordinate paid and unpaid leave with Benefits.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance efficiency.
• Support the implementation of payroll‑related initiatives and projects.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.
• Be aware of, comply with, and enforce all Company policies.

• Experience working with payroll applications;
  Spectrum/Day Force payroll is preferred or experience with other cloud‑based payroll systems (UKG, ADP, Workday).
• Experience working within Union environments is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state wage and tax laws, and compliance regulations surrounding payroll.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to function and consistently meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to prioritize and solve problems.
• Information must be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
• Ability to provide a high level of customer service in a professional and tactful manner.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Organized:
  Sense of urgency with the ability to set priorities and build action plans to drive timely execution. Thorough, methodical and result‑oriented with great attention to detail.
• Problem‑solving:
  Able to identify patterns beyond noise or incomplete information by demonstrating a willingness to engage by asking questions and articulating relevant problem statements and drive toward logical conclusions and decision points. Attention to detail, able to segregate beliefs and assumptions from facts. Demonstrate strong judgment to turn information into insights, practical solutions and decision‑ready recommendations.
• Mathematical skills.
• Good judgment and decision‑making skills.
• Comfortable working cross‑functionally within the department.
• Able to effectively function both independently and as a member of a team.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Knowledge of union payroll and reporting.

Required:

• High school diploma (or equivalent)
• 4 - 6 years of payroll experience.

• Hourly: $25 - $30 (depending on experience).

• 401(k) Plan with Company Match:
  Currently match contributions dollar‑for‑dollar up to 4% of eligible pay; immediate vesting.
• Health & Welfare Benefits:
  Employer provided medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, Employee Assistance Program and accident & illness coverage.
• Life and Disability Insurance:
  Eligible for employer‑provided Long‑Term Disability, Basic Life, and AD&D Coverage, with option to purchase…