Senior Payroll Technician

SENIOR PAYROLL TECHNICIAN

Under supervision, performs a variety of professional analytical, statistical, financial, technical, programmatic, and administrative duties in support of a department, division or program; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies, and the general public; and fulfills other administrative assignments in functional areas such as budget, contract administration, grant administration, public information, legislative monitoring, regulatory compliance, and/or program management.

1. Performs a variety of technical work in support of the City’s payroll processing section; receives, reviews, enters, audits, and processes payroll data; ensures adherence to established payroll policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
2. Serves as administrator for payroll and timekeeping systems including employee setup and maintenance of master schedules; coordinates with vendor for the implementation of programming changes and configuration related to MOU and state and federal law changes; tests system changes to ensure accuracy of calculations. 
3. Creates and maintains a variety of custom reports for financial reporting purposes, grant tracking, disaster recovery, budget preparation and benefit reconciliation. 
4. Computes all payment due relating to the payroll function, including but not limited to, taxes, insurance premiums, retirement and other benefit programs.
5. Provides technical assistance, training and support to other City departments and staff as it relates to the use of payroll and timekeeping systems. 
6. Answers a variety of payroll related questions from City employees; researches and resolves payroll issues; explains City payroll policies and procedures.
7. Receives and audits submitted payroll information from each department; enters timesheet data into the computer as necessary; calculates withholdings; prepares and processes payroll; assists with the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reconciliations.
8. Processes pay changes and payroll deduction changes including deferred compensation, benefits, and insurances.
9. Performs a variety of payroll functions for new hires including setting up taxes and deductions and calculating insurances and leave adjustments; sets up new employee files as necessary.
10. Calculates, prepares, and posts all payroll journal entries to the general ledger as necessary.
11. Calculates, prepares and posts journal vouchers to the general ledger for taxes and 401a/457 deductions.
12. Sets up and maintains files and spreadsheets for all tax, pension, and insurance benefit accounts.
13. Gathers data and completes reports specific to payroll information such as Labor Statistics and retirement reports.
14. Prepares and reconciles quarterly/annual tax reports to federal and state agencies; processes period-end reports and W2s.
15. Audits and verifies accuracy of external and internal reports; prepares spreadsheets to record and track disbursements.
16. Reconciles payroll reports with retirement system records.
17. Prepares and maintains a variety of statistical data and records; runs, balances, audits, and prepares a variety of payroll related reports including PERS reports.
18. May supervise or evaluate the work of lower level clerical staff; review work for accuracy and completeness.
19. Performs related duties as required.

• Operations, services, and activities of a payroll processing system.
• Principles and practices of payroll preparation, reporting, and maintenance.
• Financial record keeping, bookkeeping and basic accounting principles and practices. 
• Methods and techniques of calculating various payroll deductions.
• Mathematical principles and practices.
• Office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Use of specialized software systems for the tracking and calculation of payroll. 
• Basic principles and practices of data entry and retrieval.
• Principles of customer service.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations as they relate to payroll preparation and processing.

• Perform a full range of varied technical work in the administration of the City’s payroll with only occasional instruction or assistance.
• Test, troubleshoot and maintain specialized software for the tracking and calculation of payroll. 
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Calculate payroll and paid time off deductions.
• Prepare and maintain employee payroll and accounting records.
• Perform a high volume of work effectively and meet strict, recurring deadlines.
• Make mathematical computations rapidly and accurately.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Provide lead supervision and training to assigned staff.
• Exercise good judgment and use discretion  in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Salary : $66,103 - $88,598