Payroll Specialist

SALARY RANGE: $24.94 - $28.89 / hour.

POSITION

PURPOSE:

The Payroll Specialist performs advanced and complex payroll functions to ensure the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of employee compensation. This position independently manages complex payroll transactions, interprets and applies payroll policies and applicable collective bargaining provisions, resolves escalated payroll issues, and performs reconciliation and reporting activities. The Payroll Specialist serves as a subject matter resource for payroll processes and may provide guidance, training, or review of the work of other payroll staff.

Validate employee pay hours to ensure an accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll. Apply pay rules as stated in the ATU and Teamster Labor Contracts, Non-Bargaining handbook and DOL requirements. To understand pay cycle processing and knowledge of ADP Payroll. Assist Payroll Manager as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Independently process complex payroll transactions and ensure the accurate and timely payment of employees in accordance with established payroll schedules, policies, procedures, applicable laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Process and resolve complex payroll adjustments and transactions, including retroactive pay, wage corrections, supplemental payments, final pay, garnishments, tax withholding adjustments, benefit deductions, and other payroll-related corrections.
• Research, interpret, and apply payroll policies, procedures, collective bargaining provisions, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations to ensure consistent and compliant payroll administration.
• Investigate and resolve escalated payroll discrepancies, employee inquiries, and complex pay-related issues; identify root causes and recommend or implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Review payroll data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance prior to and following payroll processing; identify discrepancies and perform necessary corrections and adjustments.
• Perform payroll-to-general-ledger reconciliations and research and resolve variances between payroll records, accounting records, benefit deductions, tax liabilities, and related financial systems.
• Prepare, maintain, and analyze payroll reports, records, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for management, Finance, auditors, and other internal or external stakeholders.
• Support internal and external audits by gathering documentation, researching payroll transactions, responding to inquiries, and assisting with the implementation of corrective actions or process improvements.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities and reporting, including the reconciliation and verification of payroll records, taxable wages, deductions, and other information necessary for required tax reporting and employee wage statements.
• Maintain current knowledge of payroll laws, regulations, tax requirements, benefit deductions, and payroll best practices.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, internal controls, documentation, and system utilization; recommend and assist with implementing process improvements.
• Maintain the confidentiality and security of employee payroll, tax, and personal information in accordance with applicable policies and laws.
• Serve as a technical resource to payroll staff, managers, and employees regarding complex payroll matters.
• May train, mentor, provide guidance to, or review the work of other payroll personnel to promote accuracy, consistency, and adherence to established procedures.
• Use Trapeze software to create file for operator work hours to be transfered to ADP. Validate exceptions using the Attendance, Run & Block Status from the Operations Control Center (OCC), Extra Board Run Assignments and Operator Mark-up. Upload completed file to ADP using the transfer to ADP website.
• Provides requested information for record request.
• Manage garnishnment set ups and changes in ADP.
• Assist in reviewing preview check register and making corrections as needed.
• Prepare check requests and backup documentation for payroll deductions paid through Accounts Payable or an ACH deposit.
• Each pay period monitor employees on extended absences or paid return to duty to ensure pay hours or non-paid hours are accurate in ADP timecard.
• Prepare thirteen-week wage statements for Worker’s Compensation claims. Maintain payroll worker’s compensation documentation. Enter light duty work hours to employee ADP timecard using approved time sheets from the Risk Department.
• Update payroll markup binder for each new markup. Maintain operator run changes and selections during the markup period.
• Prepare payroll off-cycle checks.

.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

A combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to:

• Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Two (2) to four (4) years of experience in payroll, accounting, human…