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City of Santa Cruz · 20 hours ago

Payroll Technician

Santa Cruz County, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid Level

3+ years exp

City of Santa Cruz is seeking a Payroll Technician to join their Finance Department. The role involves accurately processing employee earnings, benefits, and tax-related information, while maintaining payroll records and reports in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

AssociationGovernmentNon Profit

Responsibilities

Reviews, verifies, and processes time and payroll records to prepare payroll in compliance with Federal, State, City policies, procedures, regulations and City Memoranda of Understanding

Processes, calculates, and maintains records of a variety of payroll actions, including new-hire set up, retroactive pay, wage garnishments, workers compensation award adjustments, long term disability and final paychecks and pay-offs based on appropriate provisions; maintains employee records for voluntary and non-voluntary deductions; verifies pay rate changes, cost of living adjustments, incentive and/or premium pay, and benefit withholding; and prepares payroll checks and wire transfers; researches and processes unclaimed checks

Reconciles and prepares State and Federal payroll taxes including tax deposits, quarterly reports, annual reports, and W-2’s; tax restatements and re-filings; and reconciles and prepares payments for benefits and insurance

Computes, controls and records information relative to employee leaves such as vacation, sick, and holidays

Computes and processes claims for payment and prepares related reports relative to benefits and other contributions by the City on behalf of employees such as retirement and insurances; retains records of such payments

Prepares billings and correspondence for employees on leave; calculates supplementation payments for retirees enrolled in the City's health plan as well as COBRA recipients; accepts payments and deposits into revenue accounts

Responds to in-person, phone and mail inquiries and information requests from City employees, supervisors and managers, insurance carriers, federal and state agencies and others with regard to compensation, leaves, claims, taxes, retirement and other issues related to payroll functions and established MOU interpretation

Maintains, audits, verifies and reconciles a variety of reports, journals, or related fiscal data; balances data to various general ledger accounts, registers, journals, and logs according to established accounting techniques and procedures

Assists with special projects as required

Maintains payroll records and employee files

Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification

Qualification

Payroll processingAccounting practicesRecord keepingComputerized accounting systemsPayroll reportingCustomer serviceMathematical computationsData entryTime managementCommunication skills

Required

High school degree or equivalent

Three years of paraprofessional accounting experience which includes one year of payroll and/or benefits processing

General accounting practices, procedures, laws, rules and regulations related to the processing and recording of payroll and employee benefits

Computerized accounting and finance systems related to finance and payroll processes; other computer applications related to work, including word processing and spreadsheet software

Record keeping, information processing requirements and rules and policies related to the production of an employee payroll

Payroll reporting and payment requirements of various State and Federal agencies and benefit providers

Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility

Principles and practices of auditing payroll documents

Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment

English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation

Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff

Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of accounting, payroll processing, employee record-keeping functions, basic employee benefits processes, and Memoranda of Understanding

Review, post, balance, reconcile, and maintain payroll and other financial data

Maintain a high level of integrity and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and complex payroll issues

Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions

Establish and maintain a variety of record-keeping systems

Research payroll and related accounting records and files

Make accurate mathematical and financial computations

Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work

Understand and follow oral and written instructions

Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines

Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines

Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work