Payroll Technician

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties and responsibilities are typical of those performed in this classification.

• Performs technical payroll duties by computing, checking, and processing salary payments, deductions, and leave accrual balances for employees and student workers.

• Receives and reviews employee time and attendance information; calculates and assures the accuracy and timeliness of salary payments and deductions.

• Maintains database accruals for employee vacation, sick, compensatory, and other leave balances; reviews and verifies data from multiple sources; computes, verifies, and processes employee status changes and salary adjustments; maintains current and historical payroll records.

• Inputs payroll information into the third-party payroll system for processing and check production; researches and identifies the causes of errors and discrepancies in payments or records and makes appropriate recommendations for adjustments to the department manager.

• Works cooperatively with departments and employees to process employee changes; creates new employee payroll accounts for one or multiple job assignments; enrolls employees in various tax-sheltered annuities (e.g., 403(b), 457, etc.), and balances related monthly reports; assigns employee numbers; sets up and/or updates salary and benefits tables.

• Processes and adjusts the payroll system for federal and state taxes, including FICA, Medicare, and retirement systems (e.g., the Public Employees Retirement System and the State Teachers’ Retirement System).

• Answers routine employee, student worker, and department questions regarding payroll; provides solutions and assistance to employees and reporting departments. 

• Prepares reports and correspondence for management as well as for third party agencies such as the Social Security Administration, the Employment Development Department, the Public Employees Retirement System, and the State Teachers Retirement System; extracts data from various third-party systems, makes appropriate calculations, and prepares tables; setup and maintain appropriate retirement system employee data.

• Provides confidential payroll information, as authorized, to public agencies, loan and insurance companies, external auditors, and departments.

• May provide work direction and training to lower-level employees, temporary employees, and/or student workers.  

• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The education, training, and experience qualifications are considered likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities to perform the above essential duties.

Education and Experience:

Associate’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university.

Four (4) years of payroll experience.

Licenses/Certifications/Other Requirements:

None.

Knowledge of:

• Time reporting and payroll processing procedures.

• Payroll and database software used to record and maintain financial information.

• Financial record keeping principles, methods, practices, and terminology.

• Retirement plans and administration. 

• Laws, regulations, standards, and/or requirements applicable to areas of assignment. 

• Technical methods of data research, collection, compilation, organization, and reporting.

• Methods of prioritizing, planning, and organizing work.

• Standard office practices or procedures.

• Standard office software and modern office equipment. 

• Standard formats for business correspondence and other communications.

• Methods of filing information using alpha, numeric, and alphanumeric systems.

• Correct use of the English language, including spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

• Principles and practices of customer service.

• Business arithmetic. 

Ability to:

• Input and process payroll and leave accrual information.

• Review, reconcile, calculate, input, and maintain financial documents and data. 

• Use payroll and database software.

• Enroll employees into appropriate retirement plan membership. 

• Research, review, compile, and compare financial documents and data.

• Research, apply, and explain the laws, regulations, policies and/or procedures applicable to areas of assignment. 

• Operate a variety of office equipment including computers and printers/copiers.

• Utilize standard office software (e.g., email, word processing, and spreadsheet software). 

• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information.

• Prepare reports, correspondence, and other documents using multiple business formats.

• Maintain electronic and paper financial records.

• Perform business arithmetic. 

• Prioritize work and complete assignments accurately and within established deadlines.

• Provide and obtain detailed information to/from others. 

• Provide customer service with a high level of sensitivity, tact and patience.

• Exercise reasonable judgment in performing job duties. 

• Perform and prioritize multiple tasks. 

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with all employees and others encountered in the course of work. 

• Demonstrate a sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of students, the public, faculty, and staff. 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STANDARDS:

The following physical and mental standards are identified as necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.  However, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Mobility: frequent sitting for long periods; occasional kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, walking, and standing; occasional reaching above and below desk level.

• Dexterity: frequent fine manipulation sufficient to operate a computer keyboard; frequent grasping to handle individual papers, write and take notes, and feel individual objects. 

• Lifting/Carrying: frequent lifting/carrying of papers, files, equipment, and material weighing up to 10 pounds; occasional lifting up to 25 pounds. 

• Visual Requirements: frequent use of vision sufficient to read files, documents, and computer screens and do close-up work. 

• Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and speaking in person and on the telephone. 

• Emotional/Psychological Factors: frequent contact with others, including some public contact; frequent deadlines and time-limited assignments.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Work is primarily performed in a standard office or other indoor environment.