Senior Payroll Specialist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600 schools and employing approximately 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of the Controller is responsible for the financial operations of Chicago Public Schools, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Internal Accounts, and Corporate Accounting.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Payroll Manager, the Senior Payroll Specialist performs a wide variety of payroll and timekeeping processing, reporting, validation, and customer support activities to ensure all audits, payments, and payroll processes are accurate and timely in accordance with Payroll policies and procedures. Partners with key stakeholders to troubleshoot and resolve discrepancies. Provide a full scope of timekeeping and payroll system technical support to resolve complex payroll issues.

The Senior Payroll Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Provide tier III support to employees, schools, and departments for payroll and/or timekeeping questions and issues
• Process and validate accuracy of payroll and/or timekeeping system updates such as employee schedules, pay rules, password resets, pay codes, timesheet data, pension, garnishments, transit, union and other general deductions using CPS and vendor systems.
• Partner with stakeholders to research and resolve payroll and/or timekeeping discrepancies and resolve exceptions and ensure accurate and complete payroll records.
• Research issues in HR systems to ensure that data accurately transfers between systems and perform corrections as required.
• Participates in system upgrades and implementations for process improvements.
• May serve as a backup to the payroll manager or team lead, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Senior Payroll Specialist must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required

• High school diploma or GED equivalent, required
• Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferred
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred
  
  

Experience Required

• Minimum of five (5) years professional payroll experience in large complex payroll systems as a payroll specialist, payroll administrator, or equivalent
• Experience in a large government organization strongly preferred
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of payroll wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and payroll operations
• Strong working knowledge of payroll system functionality and the ability to effectively utilize ERP applications (E.g., PeopleSoft, Oracle, Kronos)
• Advanced spreadsheet skills (VLOOKUP, Pivots, functions, etc.)
• Strong communication skills with the ability to accurately understand and communicate payroll wage and tax information, payroll policies and procedures, and payroll system functionality to all levels of employees
• Ability to maintain a thorough understanding of the payroll cycle
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks and schedules to meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrate high levels of instructional expertise, integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps
• Ability to provides\ superior customer service through all types of interactions by maintaining a positive, friendly, professional and patient attitude at all times.
  
  

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.
  
  

Benefits

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS Is Committed To Providing Comprehensive Health Coverage To Our Employees And Their Eligible Dependents. You'll Have Access To a Variety Of Choices To Best Fit Your Needs

• Medical Plan Options
• Pharmacy
• Dental
• Vision
• Behavioral Health & EAP
• Employee Wellness Program
  
  

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance
  
  

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Days
• Parental Leaves
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays
• Leaves
  
  

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

Posting Date

Jun 23, 2025, 1:05:35 PM

Primary Location

Southwest Side-501 W 35th St (Bridgeport)

CPS Non-Union Job Grade

S06

Estimated Annual Salary Range

58,000.00

Position Type

Non-Union Position

Overtime Status

Exempt