Payroll Accountant

Description

FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS AFTER THREE WEEKS: 11/11/2024

CORE VALUE STATEMENT
The City of Kennewick will provide excellent public service and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community and one another through the empowerment of each employee. We value integrity, inclusiveness, stewardship, and communication. We are accountable to our community for innovative and collaborative efforts that anticipate needs, leverage resources, and deliver solutions.

SAFETY STATEMENT
We expect our employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and by the City's Accident Prevention Plan. This includes but is not limited to actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action; emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY
Under general supervision, plans, organizes, coordinates, monitors and carries out the City's payroll and position budgeting functions. Analyzes, develops and recommends improvements to the City's payroll procedures and systems. Performs a variety of personnel functions to assist in administering programs and services offered to City departments and employees. Incumbent interacts with the public, department supervisors/managers, and employees by providing technical assistance requiring a thorough knowledge and understanding of personnel administrative procedures. This is a single level classification. It is not part of a series.

Examples of Work Performed (Illustrative Only)

The following list reflects the essential job duties and responsibilities of this classification, but should not be considered all-inclusive. The incumbent will be expected to perform other related duties as assigned.

• Plans, coordinates, and monitors the City's payroll processing functions; assigns and reviews, as well as performs, the processing of employee and retiree pay benefits; oversees the preparation and transmittal of payroll related payments and reports including but not limited to federal and state quarterly reports; maintains a working knowledge of federal and state statutes relating to payroll, retirement, and other areas applicable to the payroll function and makes recommendations to supervisor on the impacts of such items; reconciles payroll related accounts within the City's financial ledgers.
• Maintains payroll records and employee information within the City's payroll systems; conducts internal audits to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the system; analyzes, develops, and recommends improvements to the payroll system to improve efficiency and accuracy; troubleshoots problems and follows up on their resolution.
• Prepares budget projections related to the City's personnel costs as requested.
• Assists in preparing employee orientation packets; conducts initial employee orientations; and keeps adequate supplies of employee benefits and other informational booklets and materials.
• Assists in the administration of the day-to-day benefits program to include ensuring accuracy and submitting appropriate paperwork to, and coordination with, vendors; troubleshoots and resolves routine questions or problems concerning employee benefits.
• Responds to, and assists with, conducting compensation and benefits surveys; provides information on salaries, contracts. and positions to other agencies and jurisdictions.
• Develops and maintains customized reports from the payroll system and other databases utilizing manual and computerized systems.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards

This position requires an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field, plus two or more years of experience in accounting, bookkeeping, processing payroll, human resources administration, or any combination of relevant education or training sufficient to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties listed above.

• Must pass a criminal background investigation.
• Must maintain a level of mental and physical fitness required to perform the essential functions of this classification.
• Must maintain regular attendance and punctuality.

Supplemental Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the payroll process, including all applicable federal, state, and local reporting requirements.
• Must demonstrate extensive knowledge of public sector budgeting practices related to personnel costs.
• Must demonstrate extensive knowledge of Microsoft Operating Systems and Microsoft Office Suite products, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws as they relate to public sector employers.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of benefit plans and rules.
• Must demonstrate high level of interpersonal skills and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.
• Must demonstrate the ability to gather, compile, and analyze information from a variety of sources, including comparator jurisdictions.
• Must demonstrate the ability to read, understand, interpret, and explain labor contracts, policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and legal requirements to a diverse audience.
• Must demonstrate excellent attention to detail.
• Must occasionally travel outside of the immediate area for training opportunities.
• Must maintain regular attendance and punctuality.

The benefits listed below are those currently enjoyed by full-time City of Kennewick Non-Contract employees. It is important to remember that over the course of time these benefits may change - they are not permanent. Benefits may change through City Council or administrative action or changes mandated by state and federal law.

Paid Holidays
12 per year (9 scheduled; 3 “floating”)
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and three floating holidays selected by the employee. An employee will accrue one of the three floating holidays on each of the following days: February 1, February 12, and August 31. An employee will only accrue a floating holiday on these days if actually employed.

Paid Time Off (PTO)
The purpose of PTO is to compensate employees for absences due to injury, illness, vacation and personal business. In addition, the program is designed to provide employees with personal flexibility regarding the use of leave hours. PTO hours accrue based upon the actual number of regular hours worked.

Accrual per Month:
0-5yrs 6-9yrs 10-14yrs 15-19yrs 20-24yrs 25-29yrs 30+yrs
12 hours 15 hours 17 hours 19 hours 21 hours 23 hours 25 hours

Retirement Plan
All City employees are members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City and the employee both contribute toward the plan. PERS provides regular retirement and disability retirement benefits. City employees also participate in the Social Security Program. Rates effective as of 09/01/2024. ( www.drs.wa.gov )

PERS Employee Contribution Rate Employer Contribution Rate
Plan II 6.36% 9.11%
Plan III Employee Choice (see booklet) 9.11%

Deferred Comp
The City contributes an equivalent of 5% of your regular monthly salary to Mission Square Retirement (previously ICMA) deferred compensation program. No employee match required, but employees may contribute towards plan if desired. ( www.icmarc.org )

Medical, Dental& Vision Insurance
The City currently pays the entire dental and vision insurance premiums for the employee and dependents.Employee current premium share is $190.00 per month for medical insurance to cover themselves and dependents.

Life Insurance
1.5 x annual salary (not to exceed $250K) provided by the City of Kennewick. Employee may purchase Voluntary Term Life Insurance for employee, spouse and/or dependents through New York Life (previously Cigna).

Long Term Disability
The City pays the entire long-term disability premium for employees through New York Life (previously Cigna).

Wellness Program
The Wellness Program has been established to encourage employee health and fitness, both at work and at home. A City Wellness Committee promotes and provides opportunities for healthy lifestyles. Employee fitness center is open to all employees and their spouses.

Employee Assistance
An Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) is provided by the City to assist you and family members, providing counseling and treatment in such areas as stress, drug and alcohol abuse and family counseling.

Other Benefits Offered

• Flexible Spending Plan (Pre-Tax Deduction for Medical/Dental and Day Care)
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Bereavement Leave
• Overtime
• Direct Deposit (paydays are 5th and 20th of the month)

Closing Date/Time: 12/17/2024 12:00 AM Pacific

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• City of Kennewick

• (509) 585-4240

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