Senior Payroll Specialist

Chicago Public Schools•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience. The Office of the Controller is responsible for the financial operations of Chicago Public Schools, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Internal Accounts, and Corporate Accounting. Job Summary: Reporting to the Payroll Manager, the Senior Payroll Specialist performs a wide variety of payroll and timekeeping processing, reporting, validation, and customer support activities to ensure all audits, payments, and payroll processes are accurate and timely in accordance with Payroll policies and procedures. Partners with key stakeholders to troubleshoot and resolve discrepancies. Provides a full scope of timekeeping and payroll system technical support to resolve complex payroll issues. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent, required
Minimum of five (5) years professional payroll experience in large complex payroll systems as a payroll specialist, payroll administrator, or equivalent
Strong working knowledge of payroll wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and payroll operations
Strong working knowledge of payroll system functionality and the ability to effectively utilize ERP applications (E.g., PeopleSoft, Oracle, Kronos)
Advanced spreadsheet skills (VLOOKUP, Pivots, functions, etc.)
Strong communication skills with the ability to accurately understand and communicate payroll wage and tax information, payroll policies and procedures, and payroll system functionality to all levels of employees
Ability to maintain a thorough understanding of the payroll cycle
Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks and schedules to meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced environment
High levels of instructional expertise, integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions
Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps
Ability to provides superior customer service through all types of interactions by maintaining a positive, friendly, professional and patient attitude at all times

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferred
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), preferred
Experience in a large government organization strongly, preferred

Responsibilities

Process and validate accuracy of payroll and/or timekeeping system updates such as employee schedules, pay rules, password resets, pay codes, timesheet data, pension, garnishments, transit, union and other general deductions using CPS and vendor system
Research issues in HR systems to ensure that data accurately transfers between systems and perform corrections as required
Provide tier III support to employees, schools, and departments for payroll and/or timekeeping questions and issues
Participate in system upgrades and implementations for process improvements
May serve as a backup to the payroll manager or team lead, as needed
Partner with stakeholders to research and resolve payroll and/or timekeeping discrepancies and resolve exceptions and ensure accurate and complete payroll records
Other duties as assigned