Nonpermanent Human Resources Consultant Assistant 2

Central Washington University•Ellensburg, WA

85d•$23 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Central Washington University is recruiting a Nonpermanent Human Resources Consultant Assistant 2 to join our Human Resources team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $22.56 - $30.29 per hour, plus the awesome CWU benefits. Who we are: We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams. Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students. Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus. Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A What we offer: Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator. The Role: The HR Consultant Assistant 2/Payroll Specialist acts as the point of contact for customers and assists in answering or directing questions as needed. This position is expected to be knowledgeable in CWU payroll processes and actively works with the Time & Attendance systems to query and contact customers with time and absence issues along with performing Payroll Audits. Under general direction, apply principles of fiscal management in record keeping, auditing and analysis for payroll operations. Aid Payroll Management and staff in monitoring data, processing changes and auditing results. This position is back up to other payroll staff. All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence. Human Resources employees directly affect the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by creating and supporting opportunities for employee engagement, learning, and growth.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in payroll and fiscal methods.
Proven ability to perform tasks/projects to successful completion with limited supervision.
Ability to organize work to meet departmental expectations of attention to detail, time management and follow-through.
Comprehensive level computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, working within companywide enterprise system, and e-mail proficiency.
Superior customer service skill with the ability to respond to difficult, stressful, or sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintains good working relationships with internal and external customers.
Excellent written communication skills to provide corrections on vocabulary, punctuation, and spelling, composing professional documents that are clear, concise, and professional in presentation.
Ability to deal sensitively with confidential material.
Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and working environment.
OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Nice To Haves

Experience with HRIS PeopleSoft Enterprise systems, such as Time and Attendance or Payroll modules.
Payroll certification such as Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CCP)
Experience or training in Nonresident Alien tax compliance.
Knowledge of multi-state payroll taxation.
A record of promoting institutional excellence in the work environment.
Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values.

Responsibilities

Primary payroll customer service desk: Manage and triage all incoming emails and phone calls with sense of urgency and excellent customer service.
Relay interpretation and apply rules and regulations to resolve problems; Advise principal investigators, staff and administrators regarding applicable policies and procedures; select/recommend alternative courses of action.
Maintain payroll records; calculate salary and benefit costs; initiate, record and ensure the accuracy of personnel and payroll action documents.
Perform payroll functions and coordinate payroll processes with the financial offices, data processing personnel and major department heads.
Detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies. Enter and validate pay-line adjustments, leave adjustments, pay requests, retro payments, overpayments, benefit corrections, and cash outs.
Calculate and issue off-cycle paychecks, manual checks and check reversals.
Assist in the collection of overpayments including correspondence and specifying repayment terms. Follow through with collection proceedings when payments are not received.
Audit timekeeping records, reports, and procedures. Proactively take steps to reinforce compliance with rules and regulations.
Review payroll input of other staff for accuracy; identify errors and provide further instruction and/or training where needed.
Coordinate payroll deductions and maintain filing systems.
Coordinate payroll-tracking system for pay requests, leave adjustments, and overpayments.
Follow up on outstanding payroll checks and coordinate efforts with the Financial Accounting departments.
Assist with conducting audits and compiling reports and documentation to assist in quarterly and year-end tax filing.
Assist accounting staff with summer health tables (HCA) for faculty and create spreadsheets for special deduction lists during payroll process.
Run queries and reports as needed.
Coordinate meetings (i.e., scheduling rooms, contacting participants, providing handouts)
Assist in preparing and balancing various reports, forms and payroll documents and accounts.
Ensure payroll information, files and records are maintained in accordance with relevant record retention requirements.
Conduct training sessions with employees and managers on Time and Attendance requirements.
Assist with the Glacier program for Resident & Nonresident Aliens.
Ensure compliance with the complex immigration and tax treaty rules for foreign nationals.
Coordinate with International Studies for visiting scholars and foreign students, Student Employment for transfer students, Human Resources for Faculty and staff, and Business Services and Contracts and individual academic departments for performers and guest speakers. Interview foreign nationals and track their status throughout their employment.
Assist with procedures and training to support for the desired program results.
Ensure deadlines and schedules to ensure receipt of Glacier forms and proper documentation from departments and set up appropriate taxation in the payroll system.
Monitor procedures for foreign nationals related to year-end closing, ensure appropriate tax designations and update records/systems as needed for accurate transition to the new year.
Attend Glacier training conferences as directed by supervisor.
Other duties as assigned