Payroll Specialist (Youth Programs)

Ser Metro-Detroit - Detroit, MI

Full-time - Entry Level

Detroit, MI

Educational Services

About the position

The Payroll Specialist position at Ser Metro-Detroit is a full-time role within the Youth Services division, specifically located at the Youth Reengagement Center in Detroit, MI. This position is responsible for overseeing all payroll functions related to the Year Round Youth work experience activities. The Payroll Specialist will manage the maintenance of the payroll system, ensure internal controls are in place, and supervise the daily payroll processing operations. Additionally, this role includes an Individual Training Account (ITA) component, which involves assessing the job readiness and employment needs of youth participants and matching them with training opportunities in high-demand occupations. In this role, the Payroll Specialist will coordinate workflow and procedures for payroll, working closely with program staff and partners to process payroll for participants in the Year Round Youth work experience program. The specialist will monitor the payroll system, evaluate its internal controls, and recommend necessary changes to maintain system integrity. Responsibilities also include processing work experience payments, approving stipend issuances, and reviewing pay calculations to ensure accuracy. The Payroll Specialist will assist in meeting program goals and objectives as specified by funding sources and the Corporation, reporting to the supervisor on program progress and any concerns. Regular interaction with management information systems personnel is required to ensure accurate and timely processing of participant stipends. The specialist will compile program statistics and prepare reports for management and funding sources as directed. Other duties may include certifying youth, performing MIS functions, and providing program support. The role also involves enrolling customers into training programs based on assessment results and career goals, serving as a liaison between customers and training providers, and identifying service gaps. Follow-up activities to monitor customer progress during and after training will be conducted, along with home visits to customers and training providers as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates work flow and procedures for payroll.
• Works with program staff and partners to process payroll for Year Round Youth work experience program participants.
• Monitors payroll system and evaluates the payroll system's internal controls and procedures and recommends changes as needed to ensure system integrity.
• Processes work experience payments for program participants, approves issuances of stipend payments and reviews and approves pay calculations.
• Assists in ensuring the program goals and objectives are met as specified by funding sources and the Corporation. Reports to supervisor on program progress and matters of concern.
• Interacts with management information systems personnel on a regular basis to ensure accurate and timely processing and distribution of participant stipends.
• Compiles program statistics and prepares related reports for management and funding source as directed.
• Contributes to the team effort by performing other duties as assigned such as certifying youth, MIS functions and program support.
• Refers customer for testing; reviews results with customer to determine training placement.
• Enrolls customer into high-growth, high-demand training based on assessment results and career plan goals; completes required training enrollment forms and related documentation.
• Serves as a liaison between customer and training provider.
• Identifies problem areas and service gaps and assures implementation of service plans; identifies and prepares reports to supervisor on areas identified as barriers to services for customer and prepares a plan of action.
• Conducts follow-up activities to monitor customer's progress during training period and after achievement of educational goal; maintains related documentation.
• Performs visits to customers' homes and training providers, as necessary.

Requirements

• Associate degree in Business Administration, Accounting or related field; Bachelor Degree preferred.
• Two to four years' experience related to accounting and/or payroll.
• Experience working with at-risk youth, foster youth, in/out of school youth, and youth agencies.
• Knowledge of Federal and State tax laws pertaining to payroll function.
• Bilingual language skills in English/Spanish preferred.
• Computer skills necessary to effectively maintain a database and generate reports.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate with staff, participants and partner agencies.
• Valid Michigan driver's license and reliable means of transportation to travel to various locations outside of the office.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule (evenings/weekends).

Nice-to-haves

• Bilingual language skills in English/Spanish preferred.