Payroll Specialist/Employee Relations Assistant

POSITION TITLE: Payroll Specialist / Employee Relations Assistant

DATE OF CLOSING: January 9th 2026 at 4:00pm

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Director of Finance

HOURS: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

JOB PURPOSE:

Under the general supervision of the Finance Director and the Employee Relations Director, oversees the County's payroll program including federal, state and local payroll taxes, wage garnishments, labor contracts, fringe benefits, public employee retirement contributions, 457 allotments, unemployment taxes, and other related projects. Must demonstrate competence in advanced principles of accounting. Identify, plan, implement and evaluate health and wellness programs and services for employees. Assists with benefit plans, recruitment process and more.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinates payroll processing; maintains and updates various payroll records including confidential personnel files; educates and explains payroll, compensation plans and benefits to employees, supervisors and the public.
• Creates and submits payroll related information, creates and uploads payroll files to various agencies, and creates payments to Federal and State Withholding, PERA, Minnesota Child Support, and other organizations involved with payroll deductions.
• Creates payments and reconciles all health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance plans, Dodge County's Flexible Benefit and VEBA Plans, and retiree insurance plans bi-weekly and monthly.
• Prepares financial reports as requested by the Finance Director and the Auditors for audit purposes; computes Employee Relations financial and budgetary data requested by County Administrator or Finance Director.
• Calculates and files quarterly and annual reporting for Federal and State Withholding, State Unemployment, annual W3s, W2s, PERA reporting, Union reporting, and all other reports in accordance with County, State and Federal Government regulations.
• Collects, receipts, and posts payroll related payments, cash transactions, and real estate tax collections.
• Facilitates employee lifestyle change through a combination of efforts that enhance awareness, change behavior and create environments that support good health practices; plans and implements the delivery of Health Risk Assessments, Health Screenings, Health Fairs, Web-based Health Management Tools, and on-site health promotion programs and activities; applies for wellness grants and determines use of funds.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to get along with people and to communicate effectively. Ability to exercise critical approach to problem solving, analytical thinking, and independent thinking as it relates to departmental and County procedures, problems, and policy. Self-motivated and takes initiative in completing department tasks.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Associate degree in accounting or related major and five years related experience preferably in the public sector, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Position may include long periods of sitting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS POSITION, PLEASE CONTACT:

DODGE COUNTY EMPLOYEE RELATIONS OFFICE

Visit to complete an application

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $ $38.51 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $39