*Payroll Compliance Specialist

State of Oregon

88d • $3,951 - $5,736

About The Position

Ready to take your payroll career to the next step? Welcome to the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ). We are seeking dedicated payroll professionals, interested in working in a busy and fast-paced environment, and with strong auditing abilities to consider for the position of Payroll Compliance Specialist (Payroll Analyst). This position is eligible for a 5% lead worker differential. This position is Limited Duration through July 31, 2027, but could be extended. A rotational opportunity may be offered if the best candidate is internal to the State of Oregon. Manager approval is required prior to applying for a rotational opportunity. Through the application of multiple collective bargaining agreements (CBA), state and federal laws and state policy and procedures, this position pays employee wages by administering and maintaining the operation of the electronic timekeeping system; coordinates health benefits and provides customer service to employees and managers with factual payroll and benefit information in a confidential manner. The position further examines, analyzes and interprets exception report data, and uses this information to make appropriate corrections needed to payroll deductions, reimbursements, and expenditures. The Payroll & Benefits team is made up of three Payroll Analysts, the Payroll Compliance Specialist, and is led by the HR Operations Manager. The Payroll & Benefits team is a part of the Human Resources Section. This lead role of the Payroll & Benefits team is dedicated and responsible for ensuring payroll and benefits are efficiently and correctly administered for our Agency employees and the state's District Attorneys. The DOJ is committed to finding, developing, and retaining the finest professionals. We offer our employees a challenging, fun, and rewarding work environment with great benefits – resulting in a satisfying career. The Human Resources Section and the Administrative Services Division are on an exciting journey to strengthen our team and the services we provide to the agency. We are streamlining and enhancing our processes using lean practices with the goal of increasing efficiency, consistency, and collaboration across our departments. This is a chance to be a part of a forward-thinking team that values innovation and teamwork. Together, we are building a stronger foundation that supports both our mission and the well-being of Oregon DOJ employees. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work a hybrid schedule. In-office days will require work out of our Justice Building located in Salem. Note: Training may require additional days in office. Sound exciting? Apply today!

Requirements

• Two years of experience analyzing, calculating, recording, and maintaining routine financial information that must include accounting, financial or numerical data, or payroll processing.
• At least 96 quarter (64 semester) credit hours or an associate’s degree from an accredited college, university, or vocational technical school that includes 12 quarter (8 semester) hours in accounting, business, or finance.
• Possession of a Certified Payroll Professional’s (CPP) certificate.
• One year of experience analyzing, calculating, recording, and maintaining routine financial information that must include accounting, data, or payroll processing AND at least 44 quarter (29 semester) credit hours from an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school that includes 8 quarter (5 semester) hours in accounting, business or finance.
• One year of experience analyzing, calculating, recording, and maintaining routine financial information and must include accounting, data, or payroll processing AND possession of a payroll certification from an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with Workday Payroll or other specialized payroll or bookkeeping software programs.
• Knowledge of payroll systems and bookkeeping processes.
• Excellent computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office software.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication with interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with people from various educational, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Self-accountable to work independently, dependable, and able to take direction within a team environment.
• Work experience with handling frequently changing workload priorities without prior notice.
• Self-motivated with experience in organizing work efficiently.
• Familiar with employee leave as it relates to payroll and benefits.
• Must maintain confidentiality with all payroll and benefit information.

Responsibilities

• Lead and audit the work of other payroll analysts to ensure compliance and accuracy of payroll processes.
• Audit and reconcile Oregon State payroll accounting reports, identifying, and correcting in the respective system when necessary.
• Research and resolve complex issues and discrepancies quickly and efficiently.
• Review and analyze payroll data using Workday, OBIEE, and/or PEBB, and coordinate necessary corrections.
• Communicate with accounting, budget, and management service personnel, providing technical payroll transaction assistance.
• Identify areas of non-compliance and establish processes to remedy deficiencies.
• Interpret laws, rules, policy, and contract language to ensure compliance in areas relating to payroll and benefits.
• Anticipate potential needs and respond by creating and maintaining spreadsheets that include agency payroll data.
• Report to HR management in advance of the statewide collective bargaining and legislative budget preparation processes.
• Propose bargaining concepts and recommend policy changes to HR management that will address problems relating to contract and policy language application.
• Act as payroll point of contact for sensitive HR matters including those related to personnel actions and separations.
• Provide payroll reporting services to internal and external customers.
• Establish and keep current a pay and benefit process and procedure manual for the agency based around central bargaining agreements, statewide policy language, state and federal rules and laws, as well as agency past practice and policy.
• Participate in DAS trainings to ensure agency compliance with payroll & benefits, and accounting concerning Workday processes.
• Promote customer service and harmonious working relationships.
• Engage in effective team participation through willingness to assist and support co-workers, supervisors, and other work-related associations.
• Demonstrate an openness to constructive criticism to achieve top professional performance and output for the section.
• Contribute to a positive, respectful and productive work atmosphere.
• Maintain regular attendance to meet the demands of the job and to provide necessary services.
• Act as backup to members of payroll and HR as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Limited Duration, full-time employment in beautiful Salem, Oregon.
• Hybrid work schedule.
• Opportunity to expand your skills as a payroll professional.
• Job satisfaction as part of a team whose mission is to serve Oregon's public and government agencies.
• Excellent medical, vision, and dental.
• Pension and retirement programs.
• Vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays a year, and special days off.
• A workplace where individual contribution matters and is recognized, where creativity and accomplishment are rewarded.
• Advancement opportunity within DOJ and other state agencies.
• An agency committed to equal opportunity and workforce diversity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees