Payroll Specialist

The San Diego Workforce Partnership is the leader for innovative workforce solutions in San Diego County. We fund and deliver job training programs that enable all job seekers to develop the skills and knowledge needed for in-demand careers. Our vision is that every business in our region has access to a skilled workforce and every job seeker has access to meaningful employment. We seek to earn trust and inspire growth in every action we take. 

Position Summary

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate preparation, documentation, distribution, and reconciliation of payroll and the administration of the payroll system(s). The Payroll Specialist will review the timekeeping and computation of pay along with associated deductions for accuracy, maintain up-to-date knowledge of city, state, local and federal legislation affecting payroll; as well as understand and follow applicable provisions. The Payroll Specialist will respond to and resolve any inquiries regarding paychecks or payroll reporting and ensure any payroll issues are escalated and resolved promptly.

Essential Functions    

1.  Responsible for full-cycle bi-weekly in-house payroll processing. 
2. Ensure timekeeping and payroll compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. 
3. Maintain payroll data items to ensure proper payroll processing. 
4. Ability to effectively communicate with cross-departmental leaders regarding timekeeping and payroll related procedures. 
5. Ability to understand and apply complex grant payroll related funding requirements to ensure fiscal compliance. 
6. Transmit pension plan reports to plan administrator on a biweekly basis. 
7. Review bi-weekly tax payments and quarterly tax filings.
8. Prepare bi-weekly payroll journal entries. 
9. Prepare employee payroll closeouts at termination. 
10. Respond to request for payroll information from funders and auditors. 
11. Process and monitor garnishment orders and other orders that impact payroll. 
12. Lead year-end processes in collaboration with People & Culture (HR) team including review and distribution of annual W-2’s. 
13. Audit payroll benefit deductions per pay period in collaboration with P&C and Finance. 
14. Reconcile payroll benefits monthly to ensure accurate payments to benefit carriers with P&C and Finance. 
15. Train managers and staff on proper timekeeping and employee time sheet processes via ADP. 
16. Prepare ad hoc reports by compiling, researching, and analyzing data. 
17. Assist Finance team with other payroll related accounting functions such as journal entries and reconciliations.
18. Perform other related duties as assigned. 

Job Requirements  

• Associate degree in Finance, accounting, business management or equivalent. 
• Minimum five (5) years full cycle in-house payroll processing experience. 
• Solid understanding of accounting fundamentals and payroll best practices; excellent attention to detail. 
• Experience working with accounting and payroll software such as ADP and MIP. 
• Strong knowledge of applicable Payroll Federal and State rules and regulations. 
• Background in a complex environment with an understanding of fund accounting. 
• Ability to identify and implement process improvements. 
• Contribute to the overall success of the Finance team maintaining a high level of accuracy, professional demeanor, appropriate levels of confidentiality, and providing excellent customer service. 
• Computer proficiency, particularly with the Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Fundamental Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business management or related field. 
• Knowledge of Salesforce.

Our Values

Collaboration:  

Engaging in inclusive, respectful relationships among colleagues, customers and community that foster the achievement of shared goals.  

Excellence:  

Driving quality, innovation and measurable outcomes through a customer-centered focus and a high-performance culture.  

Stewardship:  

Strategic, efficient, effective use of resources to meet the evolving needs of our customers and community with the highest levels of integrity.  

Inclusion:  

Taking responsibility for creating a culture where everyone is welcomed, heard, valued and empowered to fully participate and reach their full potential.   

Equity:  

Prioritizing those who have been systemically denied opportunity through policies, priorities, practices, and behaviors that result in access to opportunity for ALL colleagues, customers, and communities.  

We Love to Take Care of Our Workforce Associates–

We offer a great work environment, a culture that values individuality and inclusion, collaborative and innovative teams, and a competitive pay and benefits package. Our benefits include: PTO, PTO sell-back program, generous employer-paid benefits (platinum plans), company-paid learning and professional development program, pension plan and 457 retirement plan additional employee wellness. Compensation for this position ranges from $30.36-$43.98. 

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. If you are hired at San Diego Workforce Partnership, your final base salary (within the pay range), will be determined based on factors such as education, knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members when determining any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer generous benefits and retirement plans.

At the Workforce Partnership, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, and the work that we do in the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace for all. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. 

San Diego Workforce Partnership is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.