Payroll Specialist

Port of Portland•Portland 97218, OR

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Port of Portland is hiring for a Payroll Specialist III or a Payroll Specialist II. Being a Payroll Specialist at the Port means playing a critical role in ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time. This work requires attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and a strong customer service mindset. You will directly support the people who keep the Port running every day. If you enjoy working with complex processes, troubleshooting issues, and delivering accurate, reliable results, payroll is a rewarding space to grow your career. As a Payroll Specialist III, you will help serve the people who serve the Port by delivering accurate, timely, and employee-focused payroll support across the organization. This role combines strong customer service with advanced payroll knowledge, ensuring employees are supported through complex payroll processes with care, accuracy, and professionalism. You will independently manage payroll operations, troubleshoot payroll and timekeeping issues, support payroll tax and compliance activities, and serve as a trusted payroll resource for employees, managers, and internal partners. This is a hands-on payroll position requiring full-cycle payroll processing experience. We also welcome candidates who may be a strong fit at the Payroll Specialist II level. This role is ideal for payroll professionals who are building their expertise and looking to expand their knowledge of payroll operations, compliance, and systems. You will support payroll processing, timekeeping administration, payroll tax activities, and employee inquiries while working closely with senior payroll staff to develop your skills and contribute to accurate, timely payroll services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Additional relevant experience may substitute for the education requirement.
Payroll Specialist III: 5+ years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including experience processing complex payroll transactions, supporting payroll tax compliance, and resolving payroll or timekeeping issues.
Payroll Specialist II: 2–4 years of full-cycle payroll experience or directly related experience in payroll, finance, accounting, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Nice To Haves

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Professional in Human Resources (PHR), or similar professional certification.
Experience with PERS/OPSRP reporting, unionized environments, payroll tax reporting, or public sector payroll operations.

Responsibilities

Lead and administer payroll operations
Accurately process weekly and bi-weekly payroll, including taxes, PERS contributions, garnishments, union dues, deferred compensation, HSA/FSA deductions, and other payroll liabilities.
Calculate and process retroactive pay, incentive payments, final checks, and other special payroll transactions.
Balance and reconcile payroll tax information and ensure compliance with payroll regulations and reporting requirements.
Manage payroll systems, troubleshooting, and process improvements
Configure and maintain payroll-related plans, accruals, pay types, and tax settings within payroll and timekeeping systems.
Troubleshoot payroll and timekeeping issues, identify root causes, and recommend effective solutions.
Partner with HRIS, IT, Finance, and HR teams to resolve payroll system and processing issues.
Document payroll procedures and identify opportunities to improve payroll workflows and operational efficiency.
Oversee payroll tax reporting and compliance
Balance and reconcile tax information each pay period and support quarterly and annual payroll tax reporting activities.
Administer year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation, taxable benefit reporting, deferred compensation limits, and relocation expense reporting.
Maintain compliance with federal, state, local, and PERS regulations and reporting requirements.
Perform ongoing PERS coordination and maintain knowledge of PERS EDX processes and requirements.
Provide payroll consultation and employee support
Collaborate with HR and Finance on payroll impacts related to benefits, compensation, and organizational initiatives.
Respond to employee and manager inquiries regarding payroll, deductions, taxes, and timekeeping.
Provide guidance and training on payroll-related processes and procedures.
Deliver excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
Support union agreements and specialized payroll calculations
Perform calculations related to union contract wage changes and verify accuracy prior to implementation.
Monitor contractual bank balances and process required adjustments.
Identify and apply pay rate overrides as needed for temporary assignments and special circumstances.
The Payroll Specialist II responsibilities align closely with the Payroll Specialist III role and are carried out with a strong emphasis on collaboration, coaching, and skill development.
This role provides hands-on experience across payroll processing, compliance, timekeeping administration, and employee support while building the knowledge and skills needed to independently manage more complex payroll responsibilities.
Under the guidance of senior payroll staff, you will assist with payroll processing and reconciliations, prepare payroll adjustments, support payroll tax and year-end activities, maintain payroll and timekeeping records, research routine payroll issues, and help ensure employees receive accurate and timely pay.