Payroll Specialist

POSITION TITLE (Oracle title)

PAYROLL SPECIALIST      

WORKING TITLE

Payroll Specialist

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

Compensation Services

LOCATION

Crossroads III, Cary, NC

PAY GRADE

Noncertified Grade 25

FLSA STATUS

Nonexempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

No

WORK WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday-Friday (occasional evenings and weekends) Position is available for a Hybrid Telework workweek

POSITION PURPOSE:

Performs payroll related duties to ensure Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) employees are compensated timely and accurately according to federal, state, and local laws, policies, and procedures for the number of hours and days worked or contracted time employed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word, and Excel; Google Apps;
• Working knowledge of Oracle, and other similar payroll related software programs;
• Knowledge of general payroll processes including taxation, deductions, bonuses, and compensation schedules;
• Knowledge of general personnel information systems;
• Effective time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines;
• Excellent customer service skills;
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work on multiple tasks or parts of tasks simultaneously to ensure timely completion of projects and other work activities;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback;
• Ability to exercise independent initiative to perform both original and recurring assignments, and exercise judgement in the absence of clear directives;
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems;
• Ability to apply general rules, laws, and policies to specific problems to stay compliant;

• Ability to use relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards;
• Ability to develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish their work;
• Ability to identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts; 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED equivalent; AND
• Two years of experience in payroll related experience; OR
• Associate degree from a regionally accredited college or university; AND
• One year of experience in payroll, bookkeeping or accounting.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

None

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with Oracle based accounting and payroll systems;
• Previous experience in a school system finance or payroll department;
• Experience in general auditing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Identifies needed pay adjustments due to hire and termination dates as well as position changes. 
2. Reviews the payroll processing calendar daily to ensure deadlines are met; informs team leader of status of payroll processing as it relates to required deadlines.
3. Maintains confidential payroll files and information for an assigned set of schools and/or departments.
4. Serves as a resource for school and department secretaries.
5. Reviews, corrects, and updates employee payroll reports (pre-payroll report, auto decrement, pre-register, and payroll element audit report).
6. Analyses all payroll related keying errors for corrections.
7. Analyses payroll data and audits payment to identify over/under payments.
8. Evaluates future payroll payments for overpayments collection purposes.
9. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements for existing and new legislation.
10. Communicates complex instructions to school and department secretaries ensuring accurate keying including extended leave, late hires, and terminations payments.
11. Performs data entry, verification, and follow-up of Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Contagious Disease leave; makes contact with schools, departments, and Human Resources staff to ensure accurate leave information prior to payroll runs. 
12. Reviews the compensation services manual on a regular basis to ensure processes and procedures are followed accurately.
13. Monitors employee overpayments through receivables to ensure that the overpayment is cleared before final payout.

1. Performs miscellaneous payroll duties and assists other Payroll Analysts, as required. 
2. Responsible for obtaining information from all relevant sources such as timesheets, leave forms, calendars, payroll actions forms, and other pay related documents necessary for audits, pay corrections and analyzing pay to determine accuracy of wages.
3. Use relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
4. Develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish their work.
5. Identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
6. Performs other related duties, as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job operates in a professional office environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, students, and the public. Work is considered light physical work, requiring the exertion of up to ten pounds of force.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  10/2023

DISCLAIMER:  The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position.  They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required by the employees assigned to this position.  This description may be revised by HR and approved at any time.