Senior Payroll Specialist

Recruitment Period: 10/07/2026 - Until Filled

Full-time

Annual Minimum Salary - $58,400. Annual Maximum Salary - $93,400.

Status:
Full-Time, 40 hours/week

Hiring Rate:
Dependent upon qualifications and experience. On Campus Position

PNWU was founded as a 501(c) (3) non-profit medical institution in 2005 aimed at increasing access to health care in medically underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest.

The University currently offers the degrees of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Master of Biomedical Sciences, and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy enrolling over 550 students annually. Interprofessional education partnerships with other universities adds another 100 students to the population. The campus includes 300 employees with academic programming spread over a five-state region.

PNWU is located in Yakima, WA, a city of approximately 95,000 located in the south-central part of the state near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. It is approximately 140 miles from Seattle, 170 miles from Portland, and 200 miles from Spokane. The Yakima Valley is a wonderful place to live, work and play.

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Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) does not sponsor employment visas. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment with PNWU. Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with federal law.

The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of the University’s payroll function. The position independently manages the full payroll cycle, including timekeeping review, payroll processing, employee and payroll data changes, payroll taxes, retirement contributions, reconciliations, general ledger activity, regulatory reporting, and year-end processing.

The Senior Payroll Specialist serves as the University’s primary payroll subject-matter resource and works closely with Human Resources, Finance, employees, and supervisors to resolve payroll issues, maintain accurate payroll records, and ensure compliance with applicable federal and state requirements. The position also supports continued improvement and effective use of the University’s payroll and timekeeping systems.

Because every PNWU employee depends on accurate and timely pay, the Senior Payroll Specialist brings reliability, discretion, and consistent follow-through to the work. The position builds a strong working partnership with Human Resources, treats every employee question with respect and care, approaches non-routine situations with curiosity and sound judgment, and keeps current with the regulatory and technical knowledge the role requires, understanding that a healthy, well-supported workforce is what allows PNWU to serve its students and communities.

Duties an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Manage and process the University’s biweekly payroll accurately and within established deadlines.
• Review time and attendance records for completeness, accuracy, appropriate approvals, and compliance with University policies.
• Review and process approved employee changes affecting payroll, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, deductions, benefit changes, leave activity, and other payroll-related adjustments.
• Calculate and process regular and supplemental earnings, deductions, reimbursements, corrections, and other payroll transactions.
• Review payroll…