Payroll Technician I/II

City of Merced•Merced, CA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Under supervision (Payroll Technician I) or general supervision (Payroll Technician II), perform a variety of complex assignments in the development, maintenance, and processing of the City payroll; develop and prepare payroll reports required by other agencies; respond to employee and other inquiries regarding the payroll system; perform a variety of complex account and statistical record keeping work; and perform related work as required. The Payroll Technician I is an entry-level position where incumbents learn and perform basic payroll processing and record keeping. It is distinguished from Payroll Technician II by a lesser scope of assignments and less knowledge of City payroll systems. Incumbents are expected to progress to the Payroll Technician II level with experience. The Payroll Technician II is a paraprofessional level responsible for the development and maintenance of the City payroll system, including report preparation. This level performs a broader range of more complex technical payroll and accounting support with less guidance.

Requirements

Knowledge of City personnel policies and functions, including labor contracts.
Knowledge of policies, procedures, requirements, and methods used in the development and maintenance of payroll systems.
Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations related to public agency payroll records and procedures.
Knowledge of complex accounting procedures.
Knowledge of principles and methods of financial and statistical record keeping.
Knowledge of computerized payroll and financial information systems used by the City.
Knowledge of office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Ability to provide direction, coordination, guidance, and training for the development of the City payroll.
Ability to analyze problems and situations and adopt effective procedures to resolve problems.
Ability to perform a variety of complex financial and statistical record keeping work required for the development and maintenance of the City payroll.
Ability to read, understand, and interpret codes, statutes, and information related to the development and maintenance of the City payroll.
Ability to read and interpret labor contracts and memoranda of understanding as they relate to payroll administration.
Ability to reconcile discrepancies in payroll and financial records.
Ability to gather and organize data and information.
Ability to prepare technical correspondence and memoranda.
Ability to prepare financial, statistical, and payroll reports.
Ability to make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
Ability to work with computerized financial and payroll information systems.
Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with City staff and representatives of other Government agencies staff when explaining payroll functions and resolving payroll problems.
Ability to provide excellent customer service and support.
Ability to operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Completion of an Associate's degree from an accredited college with an emphasis in accounting, business or a related field.
One year of payroll processing or accounting experience (for Payroll Technician I).
Five years of increasingly responsible financial and statistical record keeping experience, including experience in developing and administering a payroll system (for Payroll Technician II).
Possession of an appropriate California Driver License.

Responsibilities

Develop and coordinate the City payroll process.
Provide some direction, coordination, guidance, and training for other City staff involved with payroll functions.
Receive and input, or review input of employee time and leave records into the City payroll system, checking for accuracy and needed corrections.
Coordinate and research payroll discrepancies with Department payroll staff and make necessary corrections.
Process new employees into the payroll system; verify status, job classification, salary, demographics, deductions, accruals, taxes, retirement plan, and benefits.
Maintain and update a variety of payroll information and records.
Prepare a variety of reports for employee benefit vendors and other government agencies.
Interpret and apply benefit memoranda of understanding and contracts for payroll implementation.
Ensure payroll data and reporting are in compliance with Federal, State, and local rules and regulations; calculate and verify payroll items according to Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) compliance and each bargaining unit's memorandum of understanding.
Prepare a variety of payroll, accounting reports, forms, transfers, journal entries, refunds, and deposits.
Prepare quarterly tax returns, W-2 distributions, and related filings with Federal and State requirements.
Assist with the development and submission of retirement system reports.
Review and ensure proper posting of deduction codes in payroll records.
Maintain and update employee leave balance data.
Work with representatives of other agencies regarding interpretation and accuracy of payroll documents and reports.
Serve as a major source of information regarding payroll processing, policies, regulations, and procedures in response to inquiries from City staff and management; calculate new fiscal year hourly cost rates with wages and overhead and cost recovery hourly rates for City staff.
Operate and work with computerized City payroll and financial management systems.
Serve as back-up to the Payroll Supervisor as needed.
Perform related duties as required.