Payroll Specialist

$65,173 - $92,088/Yr

Kern Community College District - Bakersfield, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Bakersfield, CA

1,001-5,000 employees

Educational Services

About the position

The Payroll Specialist at Kern Community College District plays a crucial role in managing and processing employee payrolls under the direction of the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources. This position involves complex technical tasks and serves as a lead to other Payroll Technicians, ensuring accurate payroll accounting and reporting for the District Office and associated colleges.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and process classified, academic, and management payrolls.
• Provide guidance to other payroll personnel in the preparation of payroll input documents.
• Respond to inquiries regarding technical procedures and use of Banner H/R.
• Establish schedule for transmitting direct deposit payments for wages to the bank.
• Coordinate the distribution of payroll warrants and reconcile direct deposit accounts.
• Analyze account deposits and debits.
• Assemble, tabulate, extend, balance, and post District payrolls and related data.
• Examine payroll transactions for accuracy and completeness, including rate of pay and category of payments.
• Evaluate discrepancies in payments or records and perform adjustments as required.
• Post, monitor, and audit vacation and sick leave usage.
• Monitor and adjust employee annual wage statements for overpayments and workers' compensation payments.
• Maintain and update individual payroll records and audit files for mandatory payroll documents.
• Prepare, submit, and monitor required retirement reports; compute payment schedules and coding.
• Audit, compile, calculate, and process payments in support of voluntary deductions to various private agencies.
• Research and respond to questions regarding District payroll policies and procedures.
• Prepare and submit quarterly and annual payroll reports and statements to appropriate governmental agencies.
• Coordinate the processing of W-2 statements and balance W-2 figures annually.
• Provide authorized payroll information to public agencies, loan offices, and insurance companies.
• Operate a variety of office equipment including a copier, calculator, fax machine, and computer.
• Research and verify financial and credit balance reports.
• Assist in the annual preparation and presentation of formal and informal workshops on payroll-related matters.

Requirements

• A.A. Degree and five years of increasingly responsible experience in payroll or maintenance of financial accounting records.
• Knowledge of methods, practices, and terminology used in payroll and bookkeeping.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of rules, regulations, and procedures of the Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) and California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS).
• Knowledge of principles and procedures of statistical record-keeping and reporting.
• Basic math skills.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Ability to perform complex payroll and record-keeping procedures.
• Ability to research and prepare a variety of payroll-related reports.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete records.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations related to payroll procedures.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Banner H/R system.
• Familiarity with CalSTRS and CalPERS reporting requirements.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary benefits selection