DEFINITION

Performs accounting and statistical record keeping assignments related to the preparation and maintenance of fiscal reports, records, and processing of the City payroll; performs a variety of accounting activities related to the City's benefit and retirement programs; performs other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Payroll Specialist is an advanced working level class in the Finance Department. Incumbents perform the detailed account and statistical record keeping assignments related to the processing of the City's payroll and benefit programs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by the Finance Director/City Treasurer. A Payroll Specialist is expected to work with a great deal of independence in performing functions related to payroll and benefits activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Processes time cards; makes salary, and benefit adjustments; inputs data into a data processing system to produce payroll; checks computer printouts for accuracy of information and distributes payroll to employees; computes, adjusts and distributes monthly, semi-monthly, and annual reports necessary to meet payroll reporting requirements including W-2's; prepares and processes Federal and State withholding payments; disburses payments to benefit providers; checks, adjusts, and makes all correcting journal entries for payroll and benefit data, deductions, and insurance funds to the computer printouts; responds to a variety of inquiries regarding payroll policies and procedures; performs a variety of account and statistical record keeping work related to the City's retirement program; receives and processes a variety of payroll information and data; reviews and balances payroll and benefit reports; verifies proper payment amounts; checks, adjusts, makes special payroll computations; researches and computes payments for a variety of projects; operates office equipment and computer systems; responds to a variety of requests for information from financial institutions and the courts regarding the City's payroll functions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience/Education

Sufficient experience and education to successfully perform the duties of a Payroll Specialist A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of three years of progressively responsible experience in financial and statistical record keeping work involved in the processing of a public agency payroll of a jurisdiction of a comparable size to the City of Rohnert Park.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

Thorough knowledge of methods and practices of public financial and statistical record keeping, including payroll and benefit functions; laws and regulations governing the maintenance of a public agency payroll, benefit, and retirement program records; accounting principles, practices, and procedures; office methods, procedures, and practices; proper English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Ability to prepare and maintain accurate payroll information; perform difficult and detailed accounting work; prepare, process, and manage multiple payroll activities; make accurate journal entries; apply contract provisions, laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to payroll and special projects; prepare and maintain a variety of payroll related fiscal and accounting records and reports; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; post data and make mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy; operate office machines, including computerized payroll systems, personal computer, typewriters, and calculators; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Working Conditions

Position requires prolonged sitting in the performance of daily duties and frequent repetitive keyboarding motion for inputting data and preparation of checks and records. The position also requires walking, standing, stooping, some pushing, dragging, light and heavy lifting while handling computer reports and checks. The incumbent juggles multiple tasks, works under pressure of deadlines and with frequent interruptions.