Payroll Specialist

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the Payroll Director, the purpose of this position is to process the Monthly payroll related to Faculty/Staff and to ensure compliance with the Lamar University and Texas State University System Payroll policies and Procedures. This will be accomplished by assuring timely and accurate data is entered into the payroll system, including entering pay adjustments, and reviewing accuracy of new hire benefit deductions and benefit changes; Data entry for TINS set up into the Uniform Statewide Accounting System; Generating payroll reports and maintaining those reports according to the university retention schedule; Submitting electronic payments for ERS insurance, Tex Flex, HSA and Allstate; Responsible to backup other Payroll Specialists and perform other duties as required.

Essential Job Functions

• Process monthly payroll in compliance with Lamar University and TSUS payroll policies, including reviewing and entering payroll adjustments (retro pay, dock pay, terminal vacation), verifying pay for employees on FMLA, processing terminations and reclassifications, and reconciling employee benefits.
• Review and validate new hire benefits and benefit changes, including retirement, insurance plans, child support, and other wage garnishments, to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Generate, distribute, and maintain monthly payroll reports for use by payroll staff, university departments, and external vendors; retain reports in shared systems in accordance with records retention requirements.
• Maintain payroll accounting feeds and submit payroll liabilities and refunds, including ERS Insurance, Tex Flex, HSA, and Allstate through electronic data uploads, wire transfers, and TEXNET payments.
• Enter employee TINS corrections into the Banner system and the Uniform Statewide Accounting System (USAS).
• Rotate in answering emails for the department’s generalized email.
• Participate in shared payroll operations with other Universities, perform related duties assigned by Payroll Director, serve as a backup to other Payroll Specialists, and attend meeting/trainings.

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent Experience.
• Entry-level, minimum of 2 years of Payroll-related experience.

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or finance.
• Completion of the payroll certificate program or an accounting certificate.

Supplemental Information

Key Competencies:

• Knowledge of payroll processing practices, employee benefits, tax withholdings, garnishments, and payroll reporting requirements.
• Skills in generating, reviewing, and reconciling payroll and benefits reports.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong customer service skills.

• Work is primarily sedentary and requires repetitive use of hands and fingers for keyboarding, data entry, and other fine motor skills.
• Frequent sitting and periodic standing or walking throughout the day.
• Regular, reliable physical attendance is required to meet payroll deadlines and operational needs.

• Typical schedule is M-F 8 am-5 pm, with some after-hours work.

Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer

Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.