Payroll Specialist 1

State of Montana•Helena, MT

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist I position is responsible for performing and reconciling payroll, ensuring appropriate updates and corrections are processed properly through the system. This role analyzes payroll support documents to determine compliance with State and Federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, as well as bargaining unit agreements/union contracts. The Payroll Specialist I will also assist managers and employees with payroll-related inquiries and policy enforcement, and process adjustments for MPERA payments.

Requirements

Keen attention to detail
Organizational skills
Time management skills
Prioritization skills
Ability to explain and/or translate payroll policies, benefits, and timesheet requirements
Ability to work with customers, employees, and managers
Strong aptitude for numbers
Ability to use computers
Knowledge of bookkeeping or accounting software and Excel is especially valuable
Completion of a vocational accounting program and two years' experience, OR a high school diploma plus four years' experience in a payroll or human resource related job
Must reside in Montana (or move to Montana) to accept this position.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of SABHRS HR system
Experience with MPERA processing

Responsibilities

Review and process biweekly payroll to ensure all time reported is reasonable.
Maintain and update payroll information in SABHRS.
Enter and maintain employee personal and payroll data.
Process pay changes and terminations.
Enforce the terms and conditions of collective bargaining agreements and union contracts to process all pay-related changes/payments required.
Initiate and/or complete interagency transfer of funds when required.
Correct differences through preparation of journal vouchers or prior pay period adjustments on the SABHRS HR system.
Audit sick and annual leave records and ensure excess leave and compensatory time payouts are completed in compliance with policy.
Compute final leave balances for termination payoffs and employee transfers to other agencies.
Enter necessary adjustments such as differential pay, retroactive pay, longevity and leave accelerator adjustments, prior pay period adjustments to reported time and other miscellaneous adjustments.
Process off cycle checks when required.
Create and run various system reports to research and compile appropriate payroll, budgeting, accounting, or auditing information.
Review and verify data in reports to ensure a variety of payroll allocations and other transactions are properly recorded using computer software.
Take corrective actions as needed.
Assist managers and employees by processing payroll documents such as sick leave, annual leave, or compensatory time reports.
Research employee inquiries on payroll matters.
Prepare estimations on final pay for retirees considering different tax deferred/pre-tax options.
In conjunction with the HR Manager, enforce payroll and benefit policies and procedures, auditing principles, state and federal regulations and statutes to resolve issues and problems.
Propose new policies, procedures or processes or revisions to current policies, procedures, and processes when necessary; responsible for ensuring that payroll policies, procedures and processes are implemented and followed.
Work as a team member with the HR Manager and other staff to formulate policies and procedures that affect the entire Agency.
Initiate responses and suggestions as needed to correct or resolve issues that affect the Agency.
As a Team member, assist in developing the Bureau’s goals and objectives as they relate to the Department’s goals and objectives.
Assist department personnel in meeting their fiscal year end obligations and calendar year end obligations.
Provide ongoing training and technical assistance regarding payroll and procedures and requirements.
Process all adjustments required for MPERA payments or reimbursements.
Work with MPERA staff to answer pay questions, correct PERS eligibility, and run audit report to ensure employees working >960 hours are enrolled in PERS.