Payroll Specialist-Unemployment

Centers For Independence - Milwaukee, WI

Full-time - Entry Level

Milwaukee, WI

About the position

The Payroll Specialist position at Centers for Independence is a full-time role focused on processing all unemployment insurance-related issues for the Fiscal, IRIS, and North Carolina programs. The primary mission of this position is to be a collaborative team player within the department, ensuring that all customers are treated with a problem-solving mindset. The role requires a commitment to providing courteous and professional service, both at the payroll window and over the phone, while maintaining a positive and flexible attitude to improve the work environment. In this position, the Payroll Specialist will be responsible for processing and correcting documents received from the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and North Carolina Department of Employment Security (DES). This includes handling warrants, levies, invoices, and other employer documents. The specialist will also manage manual file uploads to report wage information outside of the quarter-end reporting, prepare check requests for manual payments, and maintain individual client files. Additionally, the role involves assisting with quarterly tax returns and year-end processing, as well as training and supervising volunteers as needed. The Payroll Specialist must practice and promote safety in the workplace and be prepared to perform other related duties as assigned. This position is essential for ensuring accurate payroll processing and maintaining effective communication with various stakeholders, including clients and departmental staff.

Responsibilities

• Process and correct documents received from DWD and North Carolina DES, including warrants, levies, invoices, and other employer documents.
• Process manual file uploads to report wage information outside of quarter-end reporting.
• Prepare check requests for manual payments outside of quarter-end reporting.
• Maintain working relationships with all contacts at DWD and North Carolina DES.
• Maintain individual client files.
• Complete online UC account number requests.
• Assist with Quarterly Tax Returns and Year-end Processing.
• Provide courteous and professional service at the payroll window.
• Answer telephone inquiries with professionalism and courtesy.
• Train and supervise volunteers as needed.
• Practice and promote safety in the workplace.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Some college in business/accounting preferred, or a high school diploma with equivalent training and experience.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with payroll team, staff, clients, and the public.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to perform work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to effectively utilize and/or learn both PC-based and mini-computer software.
• Ability to coordinate work to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of relevant bookkeeping/accounting principles.
• Ability to prioritize duties and function effectively in a multi-task environment.
• Ability to operate under and explain agency and departmental procedures and guidelines.
• Moderate knowledge of PC software and ability to learn new software.
• Ability to direct the work of volunteers or temporaries as needed.
• Desire to cross-train and learn the work of other departmental staff for effective backup.
• High energy level focused on completing departmental and agency goals in a professional and timely manner.
• Desire to learn and grow with the job, enhancing responsibility and skill to a higher level.
• Aural and verbal ability to effectively communicate with both internal and external customers.
• Ability to input data into a computer system for extended periods, requiring appropriate visual abilities and manual dexterity.
• Ability to operate a 10-key calculating machine on a touch basis.
• Physical and mental endurance to work occasional ten to twelve hour workdays without losing focus or mental acuity.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in payroll processing or related field.
• Familiarity with unemployment insurance processes and regulations.
• Experience in training or supervising staff or volunteers.