Payroll Specialist

Position Objective:  
The Payroll & Benefits Specialist provides critical support to County Payroll by performing detailed payroll processing, auditing, and reconciliation activities. This position works closely with departments’ payroll staff, HR staff, and the County Auditor’s Office to ensure proper time entry/reporting, pay, and benefits compliance for all County employees.Essential Functions:

• Perform payroll processing activities, including verifying time records, auditing entries, reviewing deductions and distributions, and preparing payroll data for review and approval.
• Coordinate with departmental payroll staff to ensure timely and accurate submission, entry, and auditing of employee timesheets and payroll data.
• Respond to employee questions regarding payroll, benefits deductions, leave balances, and related matters with professionalism and confidentiality.
• Assist with the preparation and submission of required payroll tax reports and year-end documents such as W-2s, 1095s, and ACA forms.
• Perform routine audits of payroll and benefit records to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as County policies.
• Reconcile benefit invoices with payroll deductions to ensure accurate billing and payment.
• Prepare and maintain payroll and benefit reports as needed for internal reporting and audits.
• Support the Payroll Administrator with process improvements and special projects related to payroll and benefits.
• Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor

• Maintain compliance with all County policies and procedures

Education and/or Experience Required:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum of three (3) years of payroll experience, preferably in a government or public sector setting.
• A combination of relevant training, education and work experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• Working knowledge of payroll principles, federal and state wage and hour laws, and employee benefit programs.
• Experience with payroll and HRIS systems; proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential position functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards
• This position frequently remains stationary for long periods of time and needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copy machine and printer.
• Must be able to move up to 20 pounds unassisted, and move 40 pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively on telephone, in-person and in writing.   

Working Environment:

• Most work is performed indoors in an office where noise and interruptions often occur.
• Overtime hours may be required to meet deadlines.