Payroll Specialist - City of Monroe, MI

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Assistant City Manager/Finance Director, the Payroll Specialist is responsible for processing and maintaining payroll for City of Monroe employees. This role maintains necessary payroll records and payroll-related information. The Payroll Specialist coordinates and administers the online banking system. The specialist prepares utility bills for mailing and performs various clerical and bookkeeping functions supporting the Finance Department.

Essential Duties and Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all the duties the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Processes biweekly and special payrolls for full-time and seasonal City employees. Collects summaries of hours worked from each department and calculates payroll figures, withholding taxes, benefit premiums, retirement allocations, and other withholdings.
• Translates payroll information into the payroll database system so that taxes, deductions, withholdings, costs, and other payments are correctly processed.
• Preserves and updates necessary payroll and payroll-related files. Enters data and ensures information is appropriately recorded, secured, and confidential. Executes changes in current employees' coverages, deductions, or withholdings as needed and processes pay adjustments or other modifications that affect payroll.
• Maintains records and information about vacation and sick time accruals and/or other earned time off and employer-provided taxable employee benefits.
• Prepares an electronic timesheet program for City Departments to submit time for biweekly payroll. Verifies electronic timesheets for accuracy and enters payroll data.
• Prints payroll reports, checks for accuracy, generates payroll checks, and obtains proper signatures. Processes special or retroactive payrolls and calculates end-of-employment payments as necessary.
• Prepares quarterly and annual payroll reports. Reviews and compares reports to accounting database system summaries, verifying accuracy and reconciling errors.
• Applies knowledge of City policies and procedures and government regulations relating to payroll administration.
• Ensures payroll, time-off accruals, and benefits are administered in compliance with applicable labor contracts and employment agreements. Maintains awareness of changes in city policies and government regulations that apply to payroll. Implements negotiated changes in bargaining agreements to comply with new standards.
• Administers online banking. Creates and maintains templates in banking program to wire or ACH monies and make account transfers for City banking needs as directed. Transacts electronic fund transfers (EFTs) of monies from proper accounts to cover all aspects of the payroll process (direct deposits for employees, remittances for dues, etc.) and federal and state withholding payments. Troubleshoots any banking problems and rectifies them through customer support.
• Maintains and processes worker’s compensation claim payments. Corresponds with the insurance carrier and provides proper documentation of wages. Issue checks and maintain related records to ensure employees are paid correctly according to each specific labor contract. Completes annual workers' compensation payroll audit.
• Maintains and processes liability claims against the City and internal auto claims for City vehicles. Initial contact with citizens filing claims against the City. Communicate with the insurance carrier to ensure necessary paperwork is submitted and proper process is followed throughout the claim process. Determines departments involved and coordinates departmental response to claims. Files completed claims according to established procedures.
• Gathers data at the direction of the Assistant City Manager/Finance Director for insurance policy renewals or applications.
• Invests City operating funds, as directed by the Assistant City Manager/Finance Director. Communicates with banking institutions to collect weekly CD rates and instructs redemption and purchase with each institution. Maintains database of certificates of deposit for short-term investing. Prepares necessary quarterly reports.
• Performs secretarial functions for the Assistant City Manager/Finance Director and assists other City Department heads and personnel with questions on payroll as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent, required.

• Two years of related experience in bookkeeping or general accounting.

• Knowledge of the organization and operations of municipal government.

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of bookkeeping and financial reporting.

• Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications and financial software specific to the department, and the ability to master new technologies.

• Skill in communicating with all levels of personnel with a high degree of diplomacy and professionalism.

• Skill in generating comprehensive and accurate reports and performing accurate mathematical computations.

• Skill in maintaining and updating records and documents with high accuracy.

• Skill in administering payroll systems according to established procedures, with impartiality and a high degree of confidentiality.

• Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with employees.

• Ability to maintain attention to detail and work effectively within deadlines.

Applications can be submitted by visiting the "Job Openings" section on the City of Monroe's website: www.monroemi.gov

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $26.11 - $33.95 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $26 - $34