Payroll Technician

Introduction

Living in Placer County from Placer County Video Portal

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov .

POSITION INFORMATION

The Placer County Auditor-Controller's Office is accepting applications for Payroll Technician to fill one (1) permanent/full-time vacancy in the Auburn, CA office. The eligible list established as a result of this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies as they arise, subject to position-specific requirements.

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To perform specialized technical payroll duties including preparing, reviewing, validating, finalizing and auditing County-wide payroll; to provide training and subject matter expertise related to payroll for other county departmental staff; to research and respond to payroll related questions; to interpret, apply and explain pertinent laws, policies, regulations, rules and MOU language; and to prepare and submit a variety of payroll related reports.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full journey level technical payroll class. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

This class is distinguished from the Accounting Technician and Accounting Assistant in that former are responsible for payroll at the department level as well as other accounting and financial tasks whereas Payroll Technicians are specifically responsible for auditing, correcting and the final processing of County-wide payroll within the Auditor-Controller’s Office and prepare and submit payroll related reports.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel.

May exercise technical, functional or direct supervision over clerical staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform specialized technical and highly detailed work in the preparation, review, finalization and auditing of payroll and payroll related records and reports within the Auditor-Controller’s Office.
• Calculate State Disability Insurance integration for medical leave of absence; determine estimated weekly benefit.
• Compute payments due relating to the payroll function, including but not limited to, taxes, insurance premiums, retirement and other benefit programs.
• Process pay changes and payroll deductions including deferred compensation, retirement, and benefits.
• Reconcile payroll reports with retirement and health benefit records.
• Calculate and prepare payroll related general ledger entries; reconcile liabilities to the general ledger; prepare adjusting journal entries.
• Audit timesheets received from County departments; calculate changes in salary due to promotions, demotions, and merit increases.
• Review and validate medical benefits, pay rate, hours, CalPERS and other earnings and deductions to ensure payroll calculations are correct.
• Perform a variety of specialty payroll calculations including advancements, retro pay, and wage garnishments.
• Receive and respond to Verification of Employment for County employees.
• Process and audit new hire documentation and termination/final pay warrants; validate and compute final leave balance accruals and FLSA rate for compensatory time earned.
• Maintain records for employee payroll deductions and prepare reports and payments to various taxing, financial and insurance organizations, CalPERS and deferred compensation administrator.
• Provide training to other departmental staff regarding specialized procedures and requirements of the payroll system; receive, research and respond to questions from County staff.
• Maintain, calculate and verify employee leave records and prepare relevant reports.
• Compile, research, and prepare a variety of periodic and special reports relating to the payroll function.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Organize and maintain various files; type correspondence, reports, forms and other financial documents.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is typically performed in an indoor office environment and controlled temperature conditions. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Positions may require traveling to and from other locations in a variety of outdoor weather conditions and lifting materials and supplies of light weight.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible journey level experience involving the preparation and processing of payroll and related documents.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level coursework in accounting or a related field

Note: Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department. Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.


Required License or Certificate:


May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and procedures of technical payroll accounting.
• Principles and practices of computer hardware and software including word processing, spreadsheets and database packages.
• Record keeping requirements, rules and regulations related to the payroll process.
• Payroll reporting laws and requirements of various state and federal agencies and insurance and financial firms.
• Basic business data processing principles and applications related to payroll processing.

Ability to:

• Perform specialized technical work related to the preparation, processing and maintenance of County’s payroll and payroll related records.
• Produce accurate payroll related reports.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk and/or stand at a counter for long periods of time. Intermittently twist and reach office equipment; write and use keyboard to communicate through written means; run errands; lift light weight.
• Intermittently, review documents related to Department operations; observe, identify and solve problems of office operations and procedures; understand, interpret and explain Department policies and procedures; explain operations and problem solve office issues for the public and with staff.
• Perform computational tasks and other technical functions with speed and accuracy; compile and reconcile numerical and financial data.
• Provide technical assistance in payroll procedures to departmental personnel; train and assist other staff as necessary.
• Use modern office equipment and computers.
• Maintain confidential payroll related information.
• Work effectively under deadlines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and fellow employees of the County.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate effectively in writing and speaking.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a credit check, voice stress analysis, and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Kristen Cannon, Administrative Technician, at kcannon@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4661.

Closing Date/Time: Open Until Filled

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• Placer County

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