HRIS Specialist (Payroll)

University of the District of Columbia • Washington, DC

57d

About The Position

The HRIS Specialist (Payroll) supports the University's payroll and HR data operations by ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and compliance of all pay-related transactions in PeopleSoft. Serving as a key liaison between Human Resources, the Office of Pay and Retirement Services (OPRS), Finance, and University departments, the incumbent maintains daily communication with partners to ensure employees are paid accurately and on schedule. Responsibilities include processing payroll actions, auditing job and time data, reviewing leave and payable time entries, preparing certified time and attendance records, and completing employment verifications.

The incumbent exercises sound judgment to resolve complex payroll and HRIS issues that often involve conflicting or incomplete information, applying relevant laws, regulations, and institutional policies to determine appropriate actions. Work involves analyzing and troubleshooting a wide range of unusual conditions that directly affect the effectiveness, accuracy, and efficiency of the University's payroll program. The HRIS Specialist (Payroll) provides forward-facing, customer-focused support, utilizing strong interpersonal and analytical skills to explain payroll decisions, processes, and recommendations to employees and supervisors. The position contributes to continuous improvement by participating in system testing, upgrades, and workflow enhancements to improve HR service delivery and system performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Demonstrated proficiency with PeopleSoft Human Capital Management (HCM) or a comparable enterprise HR/payroll system.
• Thorough understanding of payroll regulations, tax withholdings, leave administration, and FLSA compliance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret and apply complex laws, policies, and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential information with integrity and discretion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to explain technical or policy information clearly to non-specialists.
• Demonstrated customer service orientation, professionalism, and ability to build collaborative relationships across departments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams) and familiarity with data reporting or auditing tools.

Responsibilities

• Review and reconcile bi-weekly and semimonthly payroll reports to ensure accuracy before final submission
• Processes biweekly and semimonthly payroll actions such retroactive payments, relocation fee, off-cycle requests, and leave usage updates.
• Reviews payable time for both salaried and hourly employees to ensure all time entries are approved prior to payroll processing.
• Prepares and submits certified time and attendance records to the DC Office of Pay and Retirement Services (OPRS) and reconciles payroll data to ensure alignment with funding sources, collective bargaining agreements, and District and University regulations.
• Reviews and verifies employee entries related to FMLA, administrative leave, and other pay statuses.
• Prepares retros and additional pay forms as needed for missing or corrected payments.
• Investigates and responds to individual payroll inquiries from employees, supervisors, and internal or external stakeholders.
• Acts as a central source of expertise on District and University requirements related to time, leave, pay status, and fringe benefits.
• Maintains accuracy of employee position data within PeopleSoft.
• Collaborates with HR, Benefits, and Finance teams to resolve data discrepancies and prepare special reports on payroll leave without pay, holiday pay, overtime, and other related data.
• Participate in internal and external payroll audits by providing necessary records and explanations.
• Defines and resolves complex HRIS issues that often involve incomplete or conflicting information, applying appropriate laws, policies, and regulations to determine proper action.
• Provides forward-facing, customer-focused service to employees, supervisors, and university officials.
• Utilizes interpersonal skills to explain payroll decisions, procedures, and recommendations clearly and professionally.
• Responds promptly to inquiries by phone, email, or in person, and assists with general HR reception coverage as needed.
• Completes employment verifications for staff, faculty, and adjuncts.
• Maintains daily liaison with OPRS and University departments to ensure timely resolution of payroll matters.
• Troubleshoots and resolves payroll and HRIS system issues, documenting findings and communicating resolutions to stakeholders.
• Participates in system testing, patch verification, and process improvement initiatives related to payroll and HRIS functionality.
• Reviews, tests, and implements HRMS system upgrades or patches in coordination with IT and Finance.
• Documents process results and maintains system tables and workflows.
• Monitors for prior payable time or unresolved transactions before each payroll run and ensures compliance with system security and data integrity standards.
• Maintains awareness of current trends in HRMS technology, payroll best practices, and higher education requirements through ongoing training, user group participation, and professional development.

Benefits

• Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees