DescriptionThe City of Laguna Beach is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented
Payroll Supervisor to lead the City’s payroll operations within the Finance Department. This is a key working-supervisor role responsible for overseeing and executing full-cycle, biweekly payroll for a diverse municipal workforce, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable laws, MOUs, and CalPERS requirements.
The ideal candidate brings strong technical payroll expertise, sound judgment, and a collaborative, customer-service-oriented approach. This position plays a critical role in maintaining and optimizing payroll processes, supporting Citywide operations, and serving as a subject-matter expert for the City’s payroll system. Experience with full-cycle payroll in a CalPERS public agency environment and Tyler ERP is highly desirable.
What You’ll Be Great At- Executing accurate, full-cycle biweekly payroll
- Interpreting and applying MOUs, payroll laws, and regulations
- Reviewing time records and resolving payroll discrepancies
- Ensuring compliance with CalPERS, tax, and audit requirements
- Supervising and supporting payroll staff
- Maintaining and improving payroll processes in Tyler ERP
- Communicating clearly with employees, departments, and HR
- Providing responsive, professional customer service
Apply now to be part of the first review! Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis, with the first review on February 18, 2026. Examples of DutiesThe normal duties for this position can be found in the job description for Payroll Supervisor . These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
QualificationsAny combination demonstrating the ability to effectively and successfully perform the duties of the position is considered qualifying. A typical combination is as follows:
Education:
- Associate's degree in accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
- Bachelor’s degree is highly desirable.
Experience:
- Three to five years (considerable) of increasingly responsible fiscal support experience in payroll, bookkeeping, accounting, or finance, including some supervisory experience.
- Experience in full-cycle payroll processing for a public agency is highly desirable.
License/Certificate Requirements:
- Certified Payroll Professional (CCP) certification is desirable.
Supplemental InformationThis recruitment will establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill future vacancies in the same or lower classifications.
Application/Selection Process: Applications will be screened carefully, and selected applicants will be invited to participate in the Structured Panel Interview. The appointing hiring authority will further review the job-related qualifications of those deemed eligible for hire before making selection decisions. The selection process may be modified based on the needs of the City.
Pre-employment Process: The selected candidate must successfully pass a fingerprint check with the State Department of Justice, educational and employment verification, and reference check(s).
Why work for Laguna Beach: Laguna Beach is a beautiful coastal city located in Orange County, California, with a vibrant art scene and cultural events. We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including City paid health insurance for employees, retirement plans, and paid time off. The City has a strong commitment to its employees, providing opportunities for professional growth and development through training and education programs.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Laguna Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require an accommodation. EEO/ADA.
Click here for the link to the MOUs.