Payroll Specialist

Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. In that spirit, we pledge to hold ourselves to these standards at all times in our interactions with customers and one another:

· Service · Professionalism · Integrity · Respect · Individual accountability · Trust

By incorporating these values into our daily routines, we can better serve our customers, ourselves and our projects. We’re always looking to improve. That’s the Clackamas County SPIRIT. Clackamas County Core Values

Clackamas County is committed to building a community where people thrive, have a sense of safety, connection, and belonging, so that everyone is honored and celebrated for the richness in diversity they bring. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and lived experience to apply.

This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Monday, April 14, 2025.

Annual Pay Range: $65,833.47 - $83,420.32

Hourly Pay Range: $31.650705 - $40.105921

Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on a candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, cost-of-living adjustments, merit increases (for eligible employees), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status employees.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering, health and wellness classes and events, and alternative care benefits, so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle. Employee benefits become effective the first of the month following an employee’s date of hire.

Attractive benefits package and incentives for employees in regular status positions are detailed below.

Generous paid time off package, including:

• 12 hours of vacation accrued per month
  • Eligible newly hired employees will have the one-time option to frontload their first year of vacation! This means you have access to vacation leave at time of hire.
• 8 hours of sick accrued per month
• 10 paid holidays and 1 personal day per year

Other Benefits:

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP):
  • Employer paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (The county currently pays the employee’s share of the retirement contribution.)
• A Choice of Medical Plans that include chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• A Choice of Dental Plans
• Robust EAP and wellness programs, including gym discounts and wellness education classes
• Longevity pay
• Other retirement Savings Options that allow for additional retirement funds savings, including an option to contribute a portion of employee earnings on a pre or post-tax basis to a 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• A variety of additional optional benefits (see links below for additional information)

This is a full time County position represented by the Employees' Association.

Employees' Association (EA) Full Time Benefits

Learn More About Benefits

Clackamas County's Department of Finance is searching for a detail-oriented payroll professional to join our team as a Payroll Specialist. In this role, you will help process payroll efficiently, ensuring accuracy and compliance while supporting employees across the county. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and take pride in delivering reliable results, this could be your perfect role!

Our Payroll Program processes approximately 61,000 paychecks annually for 2,6200 employees, ensuring compliance with payroll regulations while supporting employees across the county. As a Payroll Specialist, you will play a vital role in processing and reconciling payroll transactions while maintaining accurate financial records. You will ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, review and apply collective bargaining agreements, and prepare and verify tax deposits, voluntary deductions, and wage garnishments. Key responsibilities will be managing Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) reporting and reconciliation, auditing payroll accounts, and resolving discrepancies. Additionally, you will support employees with payroll inquiries and assist with the county's timekeeping system, ensuring clarity and accuracy in payroll operations.

The ideal candidate is an experienced payroll professional with a deep understanding of payroll systems, compliance requirements, and best practices. They have strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail, ensuring payroll accuracy and timely processing. They are proactive problem-solvers, adept at resolving discrepancies and addressing employee concerns with professionalism. Strong communication skills are essential, as they must clearly explain payroll policies, deductions, and procedures. Additionally, they are technically proficient and have experience using payroll software, financial reporting systems, and Microsoft Excel.

Apply today to take the next step in your payroll career with a role that offers stability, growth, and meaningful work!

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• A minimum of four (4) years of related experience in high volume payroll processing for a large organization that would provide the required knowledge and skills to perform the responsibilities of this position
• Experience in processing payroll with computerized payroll and timekeeping systems, which included timesheet processing, reviewing and verifying payroll figures and records for accuracy, tracking vacation/sick leave usage, etc.
• Strong customer service skills in handling daily interaction with employees, supervisors and managers
• Ability to handle multiple situations at once and accurately track related details

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• Experience processing payroll for state, local, or other government entity
• Experience with Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) processing
• Experience working with a population of at least 1,000 employees
• Intermediate proficiency level with Microsoft Excel
• Experience using PeopleSoft HRIS systems for HR and payroll processing
• Experience using accounting software in an integrated Financial Management Information System, preferably recent PeopleSoft financial applications experience

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Must pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check
• For veterans qualified for Veterans' Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Enters and maintains payroll data necessary to process payroll in compliance with Federal and State reporting requirements and ensures the timely and accurate processing of payroll records, documents and reports; checks, reviews and verifies payroll figures and records for accuracy; reconciles payroll errors.
• Reviews collective bargaining agreements and non-represented employee policies; implements payroll-related policies and coordinates changes with Human Resources.
• Reconciles and remits employment taxes to the appropriate taxing authorities.
• Prepares, implements, and verifies voluntary and other forms of deductions, such as, garnishments and tax withholding; implements set up and changes to employee direct deposit.
• Provides advice and assistance to departments in processing payroll records to be forwarded to central payroll; coordinates information with the Department of Human Resources (HR and Benefits) regarding employee data and fringe benefits.
• Prepares for manager review, federal, state and local tax deposits and reports related to payroll.
• Creates file, uploads and reconciles Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) billings and reports any discrepancies.
• Researches PERS suspended records and process adjustments; audits Clackamas County payroll records to PERS records; determines and implements corrections to records; answers questions concerning PERS for employees and PERS representatives.
• Audits and reconciles payroll and fringe benefit accounts to the General Ledger.
• Provides technical assistance to County employees for the County's timekeeping system.
• Responds to verifications of employment and assists with similar requests for employee information.

This position is included in the county’s alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Thursday (Fridays off). Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended. This position is eligible for hybrid on-site/telework subject to the Clackamas County Teleworking Policy and based on the department’s business needs. The exact amount of on-site/telework and schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager during time of offer. Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington. Washington residents must perform 50% of their time on-site at Clackamas County.

Clackamas County is in a prime location in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and is recognized nationally as one of the most livable areas in the United States. Located on the southern edge of the City of Portland and extending to the top of Mt. Hood, Clackamas County is part of a thriving region in the Northwest. It has a population of about 420,000 residents.

• Explore Clackamas County
• Working for Clackamas County
• Recreation, Arts & Heritage

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Finance centers its mission on the values of accountability, customer service and integrity. Our team serves the public and internal customers by providing timely and accurate fiscal information, evaluating financial alternatives and coordinating among departments to meet the county's public service goals. We also manage the acquisition of county goods and services, and we maintain sound, healthy and accessible county buildings and other facilities, protecting the county's investment in our public spaces.

The Finance Division provides accounts payable and accounts receivable, budget support, grants management, payroll services, and procurement and contract services to County departments and agencies.

The Facilities Management Division provides accessible public buildings, maintains a healthful working environment in County facilities, and protect the County’s investment in buildings and property.

Learn more about Clackamas County Finance

Clackamas County only accepts online applications.

Help With Your Application:

• Application Process
• Help with the Application

If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources at 503-655-8459 or e-mail us. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

• Request Veterans' Preference
• Learn more about the County's Veterans' Preference

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Once a job applicant has accepted a position, they will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States prior to their first day.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.

James Callahan, Recruiter
JCallahan@clackamas.us