Human Resources Payroll Specialist

City of Lynchburg•Lynchburg, VA

About The Position

The City of Lynchburg is seeking a Human Resources Payroll Specialist to perform specialized technical work to support accurate and timely payroll for City employees. This role involves reviewing and processing payroll and timekeeping transactions, researching discrepancies, maintaining payroll documentation, and assisting employees and departmental payroll representatives. The specialist will work closely with the HR Systems Specialist, HR Benefits Team, Finance, and departmental payroll clerks to ensure approved workforce changes are reflected correctly in payroll.

Requirements

Associate degree in human resources, payroll, accounting, business administration, or a related field
Experience in payroll processing, timekeeping, accounting, human resources administration or comparable technical support work.
Strong attention to detail and analytical skills are required.
Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment.
Relevant background checks must be completed satisfactorily.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with automated payroll or HRIS is preferred.
May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.

Responsibilities

Processes and verifies organization-wide payroll transactions accurately and according to established payroll schedules, policies, and legal requirements.
Reviews payroll data for exempt and non-exempt employees, nontraditional work schedules, overtime cycles, public-safety schedules, and other complex compensation situations.
Works with departmental payroll representatives to identify and correct timekeeping, coding, and payroll discrepancies before payroll deadlines.
Performs payroll audits, reconciliations, and validation reports; researches variances and coordinates corrections with Finance and departmental payroll representatives.
Processes approved pay actions, retroactive payments, supplemental payments, deductions, adjustments and other payroll changes in the HRIS or payroll system.
Responds to employee and departmental payroll questions, explains payroll processes, and escalates system, policy, or compliance concerns as appropriate.
Assists with payroll closeout activities, payroll calendars, year-end processing, and required payroll documentation and reporting.
Maintains accurate payroll records and supporting documentation in accordance with City policy, records-retention requirements and applicable law.
Prepares payroll reports, employment verifications, schedules, correspondence, and other documents accurately and in a timely manner.
Supports testing of payroll-system updates, configuration changes, and new processes under the direction of the HR Systems Specialist.
Documents payroll procedures and provides guidance or training to departmental payroll representatives and other system users.
Coordinates with the Benefits Team to ensure approved benefit-related employee changes are reflected accurately in payroll.
Protects confidential employee, banking, tax, and compensation information and releases information only as authorized.
Processes payroll-related vendor invoices and provides accurate information to authorized vendors and contracted service providers.
Assists with department-wide customer service, including answering the main phone line and assisting visitors as needed.
Stays current on payroll practices, wage and hour requirements, City policies, and relevant training.
Performs other duties that provide direct or indirect service to City employees or citizens as assigned.
When unusual situations occur or the City Manager declares a state of emergency, may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.