Senior Recreation Specialist

About the role

The Payroll Specialist serves as an interface between the Human Resource, Finance, and Information Technology Departments, outside vendors and other City departments for the purpose of providing payroll support services.

Responsibilities

• Process all documentation relative to the bi-weekly payroll function which may include: Compute and ensure accuracy of wages, deductions and enters data into payroll system
• Review timesheet data, organizational charts, labor contracts and other relevant information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies
• Calculate retro-payment of wages
• Record employee information such as labor contract data, job code changes, transfers, promotions, terminations, resignations, etc., in the payroll system to maintain current information
• Gather, verify and ensure complete data has been obtained and entered into the payroll system for the administration of benefits such as medical/dental insurance, pension plans, and unemployment benefits
• Verify unemployment claim information and respond appropriately to requests for information; may represent the City in the unemployment hearing process
• Maintain awareness of current payroll practices and regulatory changes through continuing education and/or certification programs
• Periodically audit payroll/timekeeping systems for accuracy
• Serve as a payroll/HR resource for City employees by establishing and maintaining a positive working relationship with staff and vendors to promote a high-quality experience
• Consult with members of the Human Resources team, management, or employees to research and resolve problems concerning payroll processing and related activities; respond to inquiries and requests for information from staff, and reinforce payroll policies and practices
• May represent the Human Resources team at various City meetings and serve as a back-up meeting facilitator/trainer to the lead compensation role
• Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and year-end reports and assist with the compilation of other statistical data related to pay and benefits as requested
• Utilize report-writing tools to develop ad-hoc reports to summarize or provide payroll information
• Conduct new employee orientation sessions for City of Rochester employees
• Perform other duties as assigned by HR Director, HR generalists or HR consultants

Requirements

• Education and Experience: Associate’s degree in accounting, human resources management, business, finance or a closely related field or an equivalent degree from two-year college or technical school and two years of progressive computerized payroll processing and time management system experience; OR Bachelor’s degree in accounting, human resources management, business, finance, or a closely related field; OR High school diploma and six years of progressive computerized payroll processing and time management system experience in a similar position.
• Demonstrated proficiency with a personal computer and Microsoft Office applications to create spreadsheets and databases; familiarity with payroll software.
• Proven record of successful customer service experience.
• Desirable Qualifications: Certified Compensation Specialist designation or Certified Payroll Professional designation.

Skills

• Maintain professional competence, knowledge and skills necessary to effectively complete responsibilities.
• Knowledge of relevant employment laws, regulations, trends and practices.
• Ability to organize, prioritize work and multitask in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
• Strong attention to detail and project management.
• Ability to read, interpret and analyze data.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and articulate and justify recommendations to other personnel.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing (face to face, telephonically, email, and in small and large group settings).
• Maintain a high-quality customer service orientation.
• Supportive of organizational policies and practices.
• Strong math aptitude.
• Strong listening skills.
• Demonstrated high level of integrity in all activities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of personnel data.
• Skilled in entering data or information into a personal computer or other keyboard devices to utilize word processing and electronic spreadsheet software.

Benefits

Employee Benefit and Retirement Summary:

• Vacation: Vacation hours will accrue each pay period and can be used as accrued, subject to supervisor approval. Depending on your collective bargaining agreement, employees may not be eligible to take vacation until after the 6 month probationary period.
• Holiday’s: City Offices Closed
• Sick Leave: Sick leave is accrued at one (1) day per month worked with no maximum. Sick leave may be used for personal illness, dental and medical care and for serious illness of immediate family.
• Paydays: The City deposits payroll every other Friday. Insurance premiums are deducted from the first and second payroll checks of each month to pay for the coverage for that month.
• Health and Dental Insurance: The City offers one self-insured medical plan with two coverage options, the Base Plan Option or the High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) Option. Each plan option has four coverage tiers beginning with employee only, employee plus children, employee plus spouse, and family coverage. In addition, eligible preventative services are covered at 100%. Dental Insurance is provided to employees at no cost, and a small cost is incurred for family coverage.
• Flexible Benefits: Employees can set aside pre-tax money from their paycheck for certain eligible expenses. Each year employees determine how much to set aside. The City offers two types of FSA options, the medical FSA, which you can use to reimburse health, dental, vision, and out-of pocket health care expenses, and the dependent care FSA.
• Life Insurance & AD&D Insurance: At no cost to the employee, the City provides eligible employees with basic life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefits, an important element of income protection planning. Employees can buy additional supplemental life insurance for themselves, their spouse, and dependent children. As part of this benefit, employees may access travel assistance, health advocacy and elder care or special need services, and alternative legal and financial consultation and referrals.
• Long Term Disability: Employees may purchase long-term disability benefits, which protects you from loss of income if you are unable to work. Benefits may begin in the fourth month of an eligible disability due to injury or sickness and may continue up to your normal retirement age. You can elect coverage between $500 and $5,000 per month or up to 60% of your base monthly income.
• Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA): As a public employee, you will automatically be enrolled in a PERA plan. Under the Coordinated plan, employees contribute 6.5% of their pre-tax earnings, and the City contributes 7.5%. For more detailed plan information, including vesting and retirement benefits, visit PERA at http://www.mnpera.org.
• Deferred Compensation: As a voluntary retirement program, the City offers several 457(b) IRS qualified deferred compensation retirement savings plans. A 457 retirement plan is a great way to supplement future retirement income by contributing pre-tax or after-tax earnings through automatic payroll contributions. Employees determine how much to contribute and can change this amount monthly. The City offers a choice of three 457 plan vendors: Empower, Mission Square, and Minnesota State Retirement Services (MSRS).

Pay

NATURE OF WORK: With general direction provided by the HR Director and HR Generalists, the Payroll Specialist serves as an interface between the Human Resource, Finance, and Information Technology Departments, outside vendors and other City departments for the purpose of providing payroll support services. This position ensures accurate and timely completion for payroll processing tasks, prepares and completes related Human Resources/payroll documentation, assists with the generation of various reports and responds to inquiries from vendors, the public, state and federal agencies, department staff and/or payroll liaisons. The salary range for this position is $20.88 - $26.65 per hour.

Schedule

The schedule for this position is typically full-time, with occasional evening and weekend work required for special projects or events.