Specialist, Payroll

DPS•Denver, CO

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist handles payroll activities for an assigned group of schools and departments with minimal guidance and a high degree of independence. The role processes employee transactions, time cards, contract pay, health leave management, and payroll for district employees. It partners with school leaders and other departments to ensure payroll data is accurate, conducts post-payroll audits, and processes corrections and overpayments. The specialist independently analyzes payroll data, identifies and resolves discrepancies, addresses employee pay concerns, and helps maintain payroll data integrity and compliance. The role also contributes to process improvements and payroll-related projects, including system transitions, testing, and training. The position is represented by an employee association bargaining unit. Applications are expected by November 13, 2026, though later applications may be considered if the position remains unfilled. Applicants must live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in payroll administration and processing.
Ability to lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity, while supporting students so they feel seen and heard and have access to high-quality education.
Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while employed.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, with or without accommodations.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Accounting or a related field.
Experience in a large school district or public-sector employer.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) designation.

Responsibilities

Perform independent analysis of payroll data and use judgment to identify, correct, and prevent payroll errors across assigned employee groups.
Audit employee records and time card transactions daily to maintain payroll data integrity.
Collaborate with Human Resources, Benefits, Compensation, and Finance to research, resolve, and correct discrepancies across systems.
Resolve employee pay concerns, overpayments, garnishments, and tax adjustments while maintaining confidentiality and complying with labor laws and district procedures.
Respond to employee inquiries by interpreting pay calculations, explaining procedures, and communicating payroll policies clearly.
Act as a liaison between schools, central office, and cross-functional teams, providing payroll guidance and supporting operational consistency and customer service.
Analyze and implement payroll process improvements that support system optimization, data accuracy, and efficiency.
Conduct post-payroll audits and prepare adjustments, off-cycle corrections, and manual transactions.
Analyze pay discrepancies, identify root causes, and apply corrective actions using the payroll processing system.
Maintain current knowledge of payroll systems, laws, and best practices; serve as a subject matter expert and support payroll projects, including system transitions, testing, and training.
Perform other duties as assigned.