Sheriff's Payroll Clerk - Promotional

Salary : $65,660.80 - $79,790.60 Annually

Location : Santa Rosa, CA

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 25 / 02-0382-DP

Department : Sheriff's Office (SHF)

Opening Date : 02 / 05 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 13 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit : 01

Position Information

THIS RECRUITMENT IS PROMOTIONAL ONLY. YOU MUST PRESENTLY BE A FULL- OR PART-TIME REGULAR OR PROBATIONARY COUNTY OF SONOMA, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, SONOMA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, OR SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY EMPLOYEE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION.

The Sheriff's Office has requested a department promotional certification to fill a Sheriff's Payroll Clerk position. Only qualified permanent and / or probationary Sheriff's Office employees on the eligible list may be eligible for referral to the department for the advertised position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time or part-time positions as they occur during the active status of the list.

As the Sheriff's Payroll Clerk, you will be responsible for processing and maintaining personnel actions for the department's employees, as well as analyzing and evaluating department payroll issues. You will also apply State / Federal leave and disability laws, memoranda of understanding, Board resolutions, and other complex payroll policies and procedures that govern employees' salary and benefits, and communicate with all levels of staff regarding payroll questions.

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following :

• Experience accurately processing electronic time-keeping and payroll data within evolving deadlines
• The ability to effectively complete detailed tasks, while working in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact and engage with diverse audiences, in one-on-one and group settings
• The ability to interpret and explain complicated policies, laws, and personnel agreements
• Knowledge of applicable employment regulations, such as FLSA wage and hour laws, Family Medical Leave Act, and California Family Rights Act
• Experience with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Human Resource Information Systems
• Solid organizational skills, attention to detail, and consistent follow-through

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience : Any combination of work experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, two years of experience in bookkeeping, statistical work, or accounting activities including the processing of payroll and personnel records, would provide such opportunity.

Education : Any combination of education and / or training which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, academic courses in business administration, legal practice, bookkeeping and / or accounting would provide this opportunity. A Certified Payroll Professional Certificate (CPP) is desirable.

License : Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of : the County's payroll and personnel records systems; salary policies and resolutions; and various terms and conditions contained in memoranda of understanding as they relate to a particular department; the County's classification plan; various types and kinds of occupations associated with a particular department; understanding of the numeric code systems utilized within the payroll system for job classes; and the master salary table; departmental policies, procedures and functions which relate to the payroll system; of general management and supervisory policies; and procedures of the various divisions within the department.

Working knowledge of : the County's overall payroll system; and the inter-relationship between a particular department, the Auditor-Controller's Office, Personnel Department and the Computer Services Department; employee benefits, insurances, allowances and related entitlements as outlined in memoranda of understanding with unions, unrepresented employees and contract employees; payroll deductions to include social security, and federal and state withholding taxes.

Ability to : understand, interpret and explain salary policies, procedures and systems to department management, supervisory and clerical employees affected by payroll activities; interpret and explain the various salary schedules, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment to departmental employees; make complex arithmetic calculations accurately and rapidly; establish and maintain cooperative and harmonious working relationships with co-workers, other department staff, and employees seeking information; function effectively as a lead worker over other clerical employees within the department working on the payroll system; ensure accuracy and processing of time worked records and related documents; effectively train new employees in the County's payroll and personnel system; instruct existing employees in new and / or revised payroll and personnel procedures; independently initiate, prioritize, and perform work assignments; analyze and solve problems related to payroll and related work activities; meet fixed or fluctuating deadlines in order to achieve work objectives; recognize and know the purpose of standardized forms related to payroll; compile and prepare periodic summaries and reports for statistical and administrative purposes such as employment inventory, cost distribution, and pay and leave entitlements and usage; operate electronic information system equipment at a speed of 40 words per minute.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

Please visit to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination :

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass / not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria :

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and / or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst : JL

HR Technician : EV

IMPORTANT NOTE : Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS : GENERAL

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers :

Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan : Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement : Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit

IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical : County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance / benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief : County employees may be eligible for through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at or (707) 565-2900.

Please describe your training and two or more years of experience related to processing accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, and personnel records transactions. For each relevant position you list, describe your role and responsibilities and include your job title(s), employer(s) and employment dates (mm / yy to mm / yy).

Please list your completed coursework and / or training in accounting, benefits administration, bookkeeping, business administration, insurance, legal practices, legislative review, etc.

Please provide a specific example of a time when you were required to interpret contractual / legal requirements that affected employee benefits, insurances, social security or tax withholdings, allowances, and / or related entitlements. What was the result of your interpretation?

Required Question

Salary : $65,661 - $79,791