Payroll Coordinator

JOB TYPE: FULL-TIME

STATUS: HOURLY

COMPENSATION: STARTING ANNUAL RANGE RATE: $52,470.03 - $70,457.29 EXCELLENT FRINGE BENEFITS

REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

APPROVED BY: WATERTOWN TOWN COUNCIL

APPROVAL DATE: August 17, 2026

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Payroll Bookkeeper is responsible for performing administrative and technical work of a confidential and complex nature related to municipal payroll, payroll accounting, and payroll tax reporting. Duties include collecting and verifying payroll information, processing biweekly payroll, maintaining payroll records, preparing payroll reports and tax filings, and participating in wage-and-payroll budgeting.

In support of the Human Resources Department, this position also assists with employee benefits administration, leave-balance tracking, and related Human Resources functions. Payroll is the primary responsibility of this role; Human Resources support is secondary and performed at the direction of, and in coordination with, the Director of Human Resources.

The position works closely with the Director of Human Resources, Finance Department, department managers, employees, retirees, vendors, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, unions, and other Town officials and agencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Payroll Administration

• Manage the payroll workflow to ensure biweekly payroll is processed accurately and timely.
• Collect, review, verify, and process employee time-entry information prior to payroll processing, importing into the Town's IV/Tyler payroll system.
• Verify that time and attendance information has been properly approved by supervisors.
• Calculate, post, verify, and process biweekly payroll.
• Calculate overtime, shift differentials, retroactive pay, longevity payments, stipends, unused sick-leave payments at fiscal year-end, and other compensation adjustments.
• Process new hires, promotions, salary increases, transfers, leaves of absence, terminations, and other personnel changes.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records and earning histories.
• Process wage garnishments, tax levies, child support orders, and other required payroll deductions.
• Verify the accuracy of employee payments and initiate corrections and adjustments as necessary.
• Review employee registers and payroll reports prior to final payroll processing.
• Maintain and accurately code payroll-related payments for Town departments, including Police and Fire.
• Enter, retrieve, import, and export payroll and personnel data from applicable computer systems and software.
• Distribute payroll checks to departments as required.
• Work with the Director of Human Resources to ensure payroll for active, terminated, and leave employees is processed accurately and timely.
• Work with the Board of Education on alternating payroll weeks to ensure appropriate payroll processing and filings are completed on its behalf.
• Run and prepare pension and retirement-related payments.

Payroll Reporting, Taxation, and Compliance

• Reconcile payroll reports and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Run, balance, prepare, and maintain quarterly and annual payroll reports.
• Prepare and file W-2s and required federal, state, and other payroll reports and filings, including applicable IRS Form 941 filings.
• Complete required quarterly and annual surveys for the State Department of Labor and other agencies as required.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state payroll tax laws, wage and hour laws, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain current tax tables and payroll system information.
• Ensure payroll practices comply with Town policies, collective bargaining agreements, employment laws, and applicable regulations.
• Support internal and external audits and provide payroll documentation as requested.

Benefits Administration (in Support of Human Resources)

• Assist the Human Resources Department in administering employee health, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary insurance programs.
• Assist the Human Resources Department with new-hire benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, annual open enrollment, benefit changes, and benefit terminations.
• Assist the Human Resources Department in responding to employee benefit questions, referring inquiries to Human Resources as appropriate.
• Assist the Human Resources Department in coordinating with insurance carriers and third-party administrators to resolve enrollment, eligibility, billing, and claim issues.
• Ensure benefit deductions are accurately reflected in payroll.
• Reconcile monthly insurance invoices and investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Assist the Human Resources Department with COBRA notifications and retiree benefit information, as applicable.
• Update payroll and benefit provisions annually to reflect changes in employee contracts, union contracts, and Town policies, per the Director of Human Resources.

Leave and Personnel Records

• Maintain accurate and confidential employee personnel and payroll records.
• Track, update, and maintain employee leave balances, including sick leave, vacation, personal time, holidays, and compensatory time.
• Work with the Director of Human Resources to accurately reflect employee salary and personnel changes, including general wage increases, retroactive payments, longevity, leave absences, and terminations.
• Maintain records in accordance with applicable retention requirements and Town policies.
• Prepare employment verification letters and payroll-related documentation.
• Assist with employee onboarding and offboarding processes.

Accounting, Budgeting, and Financial Support

• Participate in the preparation and budgeting of wage and payroll-related costs.
• Reconcile payroll and benefit-related financial information.
• Prepare payroll-related reports for Finance, Human Resources, auditors, management, and other authorized parties.
• Prepare and reconcile payments associated with employee benefits, pensions, and other payroll obligations.
• Assist with special Finance, Human Resources, payroll, and administrative projects.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee, payroll, benefits, and personnel information.
• Provide professional and responsive customer service to employees, retirees, supervisors, department managers, vendors, and other internal and external customers.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, Town officials, vendors, and members of the public.
• Interpret and apply applicable policies, procedures, contracts, and regulations using sound judgment.
• Keep projects and assignments on schedule in a time-sensitive environment.
• Adapt to changing priorities and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, Bookkeeping, or a related field; bachelor's degree preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible payroll, bookkeeping, benefits administration, or related experience.
• Municipal department or state agency payroll experience preferred.
• Experience processing payroll using an automated payroll and timekeeping system.
• Experience administering employee benefits and leave programs.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state payroll taxation laws, wage and hour laws, payroll reporting requirements, and payroll best practices.
• Knowledge of payroll deductions, retirement contributions, garnishments, tax levies, and other payroll-related requirements.
• Knowledge of employee benefit administration and payroll benefit deductions.
• Familiarity with municipal payroll systems and collective bargaining agreements preferred.
• Ability to maintain complex and varied payroll, personnel, benefits, and financial records.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to prioritize work, meet strict payroll deadlines, and complete assignments accurately and timely.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, department heads, vendors, and the public.
• Must be bondable in accordance with the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut.
• Must be able to successfully complete a thorough background investigation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, handle or operate objects, controls or standard office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and occasionally balance or crouch to file documents and reports.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focusing at varying distances.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates in a professional office environment, with occasional related field work. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

This position is an hourly unit member.

This is a full-time position and hours of work and days are as stated in the Town of Watertown Employee Handbook and Code of Ordinances Town of Watertown §36-2. This position occasionally requires hours beyond those scheduled hours, including evening and weekend work as job duties demand.

TRAVEL:

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area travel and overnight travel may be expected for conferences and seminars.

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of functions, activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Functions, duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEOC STATEMENT:

It is the policy of the Town of Watertown to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Town of Watertown will provide reasonable accommodations, which does not present an undue hardship, for qualified individuals with disabilities.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
To receive consideration for this position, submit an application and letter of interest outlining qualifications. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. This position will close at 4:00 P.M. on September 18, 2026.

Email: stanco@watertownct.org with the attention line: Payroll Coordinator

Application should be delivered to:

Human Resources Department
Town of Watertown
Watertown Town Hall
61 Echo Lake Rd
Watertown, CT 06795

A Town of Watertown Job Application can be picked up at the Watertown Town Hall or online at www.watertownct.org. No phone calls will be accepted.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $52,470.03 - $70,457.29 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $52,470 - $70,457