Payroll Technician

BASIC POSITION FUNCTION
Under general supervision of the Director, Fiscal Services assumes responsibility for performing a variety of complex technical support functions involved in the processing of the District’s payroll to ensure the timely, accurate payment of District employees.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

A position in the job class of Payroll Clerk differs from a Senior Payroll Clerk in that the former focuses on payroll processing and records maintenance functions requiring a broad knowledge of federal and State rules and regulations, District policies and collective bargaining agreements, whereas the latter also serves in a lead capacity and acts as a resource to all payroll staff. Incumbents work under set payroll deadlines without flexibility for extensions.

• Receives and audits District time reports for regular and temporary classified, certificated and classified-exempt employees; review, verify and tabulate hours worked and audit for compliance with State and federal rules and regulations and collective bargaining agreements.


• Establishes and maintains payroll records and processes regular monthly and supplemental payroll; review and audit payroll data, records and reports for accuracy and completeness, including verifying information entered by personnel staff that affects payroll generation; enters employee salary deductions and tax information in the payroll system.


• Verifies and tracks employee leaves such as sick leave, vacation, worker’s compensation; prorates and balances pay for each pay period as appropriate in accord with established procedures and policies.


• Processes a variety of special payroll transactions such as retroactive pay, garnishments, lost warrants and overtime; follow up on and resolve outstanding warrants or warrant cancellations.


• Compiles information and prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports related to employee information, taxes, retirement, employment, leave and other related records.


• Interprets payroll policies and procedures and provides accurate and timely information to management and employees; researches inquiries from employees on a wide array of technical matter related to payroll; provides information needed by school sites and other departments for budget purposes.


• Works closely with human resources personnel to ensure employees are in the proper pay status and appropriate changes of status are effected; advise and assist site personnel on payroll procedures and requirements; communicates with the Ventura County Office of Education as appropriate to resolve payroll questions and problems.


• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education / Experience:
Graduation from high school or an equivalent, supplemented by at least nine (9) units of college-level coursework in financial accounting or related coursework AND three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in performing financial or statistical record keeping; one year of payroll experience is highly desirable.

• Work experience above and beyond hte specified minimum entrance qualifications may be substituted for the required college-level coursework.

Licenses / Certifications / Special Requirements
Valid California Class C Driver's License

Knowledge of:

• Procedures involved in payroll processing, including personnel assignments, time reporting, deduction control, and payroll accounting.


• Educational Codes, District and Personnel Commission rules and regulations, and union contracts related to wages, salaries, fringe benefits, and deductions


• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Franchise Tax Board (FTB) circulars as they pertain to salary taxation Federal, State, and local laws related to payroll processing


• Arithmetic computations


• Microsoft operating systems: Excel, Outlook, and Word

Ability to:

• Make mathematic computations rapidly and accurately.


• Become proficient in the functionalities of the Escape software system used for payroll record management and payroll processing.


• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.


• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.


• Use tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive, complex and/or confidential issues and situations.


• Establish and maintain highly effective, customer-focused working relationships with all end users, other CVUSD staff, representatives of other agencies and others encountered in the course of work.


• Maintain an appropriate work pace to accomplish an acceptable volume of work.


• Complete work within established time lines.