Payroll Specialist

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor perform a variety of specialized and complex payroll accounting duties to pay employees accurately and timely; prepare and maintain a variety of automated and manual records and reports related to the payroll function; provide consultation concerning payroll processes policies and procedures.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Perform a variety of specialized and complex duties in the preparation of payroll for employees; receive and audit time reports; process and evaluate the accuracy of a variety of payroll-related forms and applications

Process and verify input into an assigned computer system daily hourly per diem extra duty substitute overtime stipends and higher duty employee time sheet and pay information including deductions; generate computerized lists and reports accurately; process data accurately; calculate and input salary adjustments coding time vouchers and overtime pay as needed; verify proper authorizing signatures coding calculations and accuracy of payroll adjustments

Establish and maintain detailed automated permanent records regarding personnel; process new hire rehire retirement and termination paperwork; input and update a variety of data including pay rates/salary schedule information tax status deductions salaried FTE changes changes in classification and other employee information

Provide consultation concerning payroll processes policies and procedures; respond to inquiries resolve issues and conflicts and provide technical information concerning calculations pay rates taxes wage garnishments and leaves; provide documentation forms or applications to employees as needed

Receive sort and distribute paychecks and warrants according to established procedures and guidelines; process special payroll transactions such as corrections awards professional growth longevity shift differentials bonuses replacements final checks and retro-pay as appropriate


Compile information and prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports related to employee information time sheets pay rates salary adjustments voluntary pay deductions/changes disability workers compensation payroll data and submit payroll reports to appropriate personnel for processing

Process and apply payroll changes relative to bargaining unit contracts PERS STRS County State IRS and Social Security rules and regulations

Prepare and process a variety of required tax forms accurately and as assigned; perform periodic tax procedures and related payroll reconciliation functions; prepare and distribute mandated tax reports; compile and verify related employee information

Research and provide current and past payroll information in response to employee inquiries subpoenas workers compensation claims and inquiries from State and County agencies according to established guidelines; provide employment and wage verification for court orders from County and State agencies

Operate a variety of office equipment including a calculator copier fax machine printer sealing machine computer and assigned software

OTHER DUTIES:
Perform related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Advanced principles and techniques involved in payroll preparation and processing
Tax withholding voluntary deductions garnishments and supplemental insurance
Preparation maintenance verification and processing of payroll records and reports
Generally accepted accounting principles practices and procedures
Preparation review and control of assigned accounts
Organizational payroll policies and objectives
Financial and statistical record-keeping techniques
Preparation of financial statements and comprehensive payroll accounting reports
Applicable laws codes regulations policies and procedures
Principles and practices of data processing
Modern office practices procedures and equipment
Technical aspects of field of specialty
Operation of a computer and assigned software
Oral and written communication skills
Interpersonal skills including tact patience and courtesy
Arithmetic computations

ABILITY TO:
Perform a variety of specialized and complex payroll and accounting duties in the preparation of payroll for certificated classified and/or hourly personnel
Pay employees accurately and timely according to established processes and timelines
Prepare and maintain a variety of automated and manual records and reports
Interpret apply and explain laws rules and regulations related to payroll activities
Provide consultation concerning payroll processes policies and procedures
Process payroll and related records for payrolls
Monitor audit adjust and reconcile payroll data
Identify investigate and resolve financial errors and discrepancies
Reconcile and balance assigned payroll accounts
Operate a variety of office equipment including a computer and assigned software
Compare numbers and detect errors efficiently
Operate standard office equipment including a computer and assigned software
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Assemble organize and prepare data for records and reports
Work confidentially with discretion
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
Meet schedules and time lines
Make arithmetic computations with speed and accuracy

Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school supplemented by college-level course in accounting or related field and three years clerical accounting experience including two years involving payroll processing

WORKING CONDITIONS:

ENVIRONMENT:
Office environment
Constant interruptions
Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard
Seeing to read a variety of materials
Hearing and speaking to exchange information
Sitting for extended periods of time



EXAMINATION INFORMATION:
The first step in the examination process is the application screening and whether or not the candidate meets the minimum qualifications listed.
The testing process may consist of a written exam; an oral exam; a performance exam; a structured interview (SI); a qualification appraisal interview (QAI); an evaluation of training & experience/education (T&E) and/or any combination thereof.

All tests will have a passing score set between 50 and 99 depending on a variety of factors affecting that specific recruitment.
All candidates must pass the first examination process to be invited to the next step/test in the process.
As the testing process consists of a minimum of two examination processes the weight of each of those processes may be determined at any step in the process.
Qualified candidates will be notified of the date time and place of the examination(s)/test(s).
Candidates will be notified of the minimum pass points/test score for each examination and/or test in the examination process.
The testing process consists of a minimum of two examination processes.

EXAMINATION WEIGHT:

FIRST EXAMINATION: 50%

SECOND EXAMINATION: 50%

OTHER: Proof of identification for completion of Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be submitted at the time of processing for employment.

SALARIES: All salaries as stated are based on present information and are subject to change. Appointments are made at the minimum salary shown in the posting and increases are granted at intervals based on anniversary date.

Notification of Non-Discrimination Policy
The Berkeley Unified School District is committed to fostering a positive working environment for its employees. Accordingly BUSD practices shall be free from discrimination harassment intimidation and bullying of any employee based on an employees actual race color ancestry national origin ethnic group identification age religion marital status physical or mental disability sex sexual orientation gender gender identity or gender expression; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

The Board also prohibits retaliation against any district employee or job applicant who complains testifies or in any way participates in the districts complaint procedures instituted pursuant to this policy.

The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination regarding Board Policy 4030:

Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator
2020 Bonar Street Room 116
Berkeley CA 94702
Phone:
Email: