Payroll Specialist (Business Office)

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT 917
POSITION OPENING

Date Posted:April 10 2026

Position Title: Payroll Specialist

Assignment Location: District Office at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount MN

Hours per Day: 8.0 hours / day

Schedule: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday following the calendar as assigned

Anticipated Start Date: May 2026

Contract Length: Full-time 260 days per year

Salary: $78000 depending on experience

Position Summary

Intermediate School District 917 is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join our team at the District Office in Rosemount MN.

In this position you will act as a responsible steward of public funds balancing technical accounting with a commitment to exceptional service. This position requires working collaboratively and partnering with Finance Human Resources and district leadership to ensure that every member of our staff is paid accurately and on time.

We are looking for a professional who pairs strong mathematical and logical problem-solving skills with a high degree of empathy. Because you are a primary point of contact for staff regarding their compensation your ability to communicate complex information with clarity and respect is essential to our core values. This position is responsible for safeguarding the districts financial resources through accuracy compliance and strong internal controls.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage the full payroll cycle from setting up pay and deduction codes pay calendars salary changes and employee direct deposit information. Process payroll deductions payroll adjustments and stipend payments
• Calculate verify and finalize payroll; generate paychecks and transmit TRA and PERA direct deposit files. Balance payroll accounts against the general ledger and reconcile discrepancies
• Upload and verify timesheets ensuring that regular hours overtime and leave are calculated correctly
• Maintain payroll and deduction calendars and fiscal year-to-date balances. Manage tax withholdings and registrations prepare necessary tax forms and ensure compliance with federal state and local tax laws.
• Generate and distribute payroll reports; post and import general ledger files
• Prepare and submit payments and reporting to state and federal agencies
• Complete quarterly and annual reporting including TRA PERA 941 files W-2s and other state and federal agencies as well as Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reporting
• Prepare payroll records and/or appropriate documentation for the annual audit and workers compensation audit
• Provide clear timely and respectful information and support to employees regarding payroll deductions and other payroll related items
• Handle employment verification requests and unemployment inquiries from state agencies

Financial Stewardship & Compliance

• Maintain payroll and deduction calendars and fiscal year-to-date balances.
• Reconcile withholding accounts with the general ledger and resolve discrepancies.
• Generate and distribute payroll reports; post and import general ledger files.
• Prepare and submit payroll payments and reporting to state and federal agencies.
• Complete quarterly and annual reporting including TRA PERA AHC W-2s and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reporting.
• Assist with preparation of payroll records for the annual audit

Required Qualifications:

• An Associate or Technical degree in Accounting Finance or a closely related field (Bachelor Degree Preferred)
• At least two years of professional experience in payroll or accounting (we also value the right mix of education and on-the-job experience)
• Exceptional mathematical skills and the ability to solve complex payroll issues through logical problem-solving
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills with a commitment to providing clear and empathetic support to staff
• Ability to enter payroll data and contract information with high-level accuracy
• High proficiency in Windows-based environments with specific expertise in Microsoft Excel for data management
• Successful completion of the districts office skills assessments is a condition of employment

Preferred:

• Direct experience managing payroll within a school district or educational setting
• Familiarity with school-specific HRIS or payroll software (e.g. Skyward Efinance or similar platforms)

DISTRICT PROFILE:

Intermediate School District 917 provides special education career & technical education (CTE) and/or alternative learning for nine member districts in the south metro. Our programs are located in more than 20 sites throughout the south metro including Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) where our district office is located. We focus on being purposeful personalized partners within our community as we model an innovative culture with diverse pathways serving students and families through equitable practices with highly trained staff. The culture of ISD 917 is built on the core values of collaboration empathy innovation stewardship communication integrity personalization equity and diversity. Our programs are designed to provide high quality equitable and specialized programming to meet the needs of all students. We serve students from birth through age 21 in a variety of special education programs located in multiple sites. Our CTE programs are all located at DCTC and our alternative learning program (Dakota County Area Learning School (DCALS) has two locations one co-located in DCTC in Rosemount and one in West St. Paul. At ISD 917 we belong to each other and no one is invisible.

Mission ( Our Core Purpose)
In partnership with member districts Intermediate School District 917 provides high quality equitable and specialized programming to meet the needs of all students.

Vision ( What We Intend to Create)
Intermediate School District 917 models an innovative culture with diverse pathways serving students and families through equitable practices with highly trained staff.

Core Values ( Drivers of Our Words and Actions)

• Collaboration: Working together to achieve more collectively.
• Empathy: Considering and respecting the perspective and needs of member districts students families and staff.
• Innovation: Ongoing improvement of programs and services.
• Stewardship: Managing financial and human resources carefully and responsibly.
• Communication: Multi-dimensional transparent conversation focused on sharing information and creating a positive learning and working environment.
• Integrity: Aligning our actions with our values and beliefs.
• Personalization: Building on the strengths and addressing the unique needs of individual students.
• Equity: Intentionally providing opportunities while removing barriers at all levels of the organization.
• Diversity: Appreciating and valuing everyones unique selves.

Strategic Directions ( Focus of Our Improvement Efforts)

• Increase student achievement and engagement
• Support and lead staff through continuous improvement
• Deepen engagement of stakeholders through quality equitable communication practices
• Increase social-emotional learning and skills for students and staff
• Increase support for ALL through inclusive practices

Intermediate School District 917 is an equal opportunity employer