Payroll Specialist bei City of Compton, CA
City of Compton, CA · Compton, Vereinigte Staaten Von Amerika · Onsite
- Professional
- Optionales Büro in Compton
About the Department
Under general supervision, the Payroll Specialist performs specialized, technical, and detailed work in the preparation, processing, and maintenance of the City’s payroll system. This position ensures compliance with applicable municipal, state, and federal laws, policies, and procedures related to payroll, tax reporting, and benefit reconciliation.
Position Duties
Supervision Received: Works under the general supervision of the Payroll Supervisor in the Controller's Office.
Supervision Exercised: This position does not supervise other staff but may provide functional guidance to staff performing payroll-related duties, including Accounting Specialists serving as backup support.
Minimum Qualifications
The following essential functions are those that are critical, integral, necessary, crucial, primary and fundamental to the job. Incumbents who possess the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position are expected to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
- Prepares, reviews, and processes biweekly payroll for all city employees, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to city policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable laws.
- Maintains, verifies, and audits time and attendance records submitted by departments to ensure proper reporting of regular hours, overtime, leave accruals, FLSA compliance, and other payroll-related data.
- Maintains payroll records, including new hire setups, pay rate changes, deductions, tax withholdings, direct deposit enrollments, and benefit adjustments.
- Audits payroll system reports and reconciles payroll registers to identify discrepancies or errors; works proactively to correct inaccuracies prior to payroll finalization.
- Processes wage garnishments, child support orders, liens, and other mandatory deductions in compliance with legal requirements.
- Reconciles and processes benefit deductions, including health insurance, retirement contributions (CalPERS or similar systems), deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, and other voluntary deductions.
- Collaborates with the Human Resources Department to ensure accurate and timely input of employee status changes, such as new hires, promotions, terminations, and leave of absence updates.
- Prepares and files quarterly and annual payroll-related tax reports (e.g., IRS Form 941, state withholding, unemployment taxes) and ensures compliance with federal and state tax laws.
- Assists with year-end payroll processes, including W-2 and ACA (Affordable Care Act) reporting, reconciliation of tax filings, and resolution of tax-related discrepancies.
- Assists with balancing payroll accounts, working closely with the Controller's Office to ensure financial accuracy.
- Investigates and resolves payroll-related discrepancies, employee pay inquiries, and corrections, providing exceptional customer service to all staff.
- Prepares payroll audit documentation and assists external or internal auditors during audits of payroll processes and records.
- Analyzes payroll procedures and makes recommendations for improving payroll systems, workflows, and internal controls.
- Assists in testing, implementation, and maintenance of payroll and timekeeping systems during upgrades or transitions.
- Ensures confidentiality and security of payroll records in accordance with city policies, labor agreements, and legal requirements.
- Provides training and support to staff on payroll-related procedures, time reporting systems, and benefit reconciliation processes as needed.
- Serves as the subject matter expert for payroll functions and supports Accounting Specialists or other staff serving as backups during absences or peak periods.
- Maintains records for compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), IRS regulations, and state labor codes.
- Assists with special projects or reports related to payroll operations as assigned by the Payroll Supervisor or Controller.
Other Qualifications
Education and Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
- Two (2) years of experience in payroll processing, accounting, or a related financial position. Municipal or government payroll experience is highly desirable.
- An Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field may substitute for one year of experience.
Required Licenses or Certifications
- Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required.
- Certification as a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is desirable but not required.
Required Licenses or Certifications:
- Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Required Knowledge of:
- City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
- City Code, City Ordinances, Standard Operating Manual, personnel policies and procedures, and applicable Memoranda of Understanding.
- Principles and protocols for the evidentiary gathering of information, documents, financial records and other data that may be used in court and legal hearings.
- Principles, practices, and procedures of payroll processing, wage reporting, and benefits reconciliation.
- Municipal payroll practices, including union contracts, wage laws, and public agency regulations.
- Applicable federal and state regulations, including FLSA, IRS tax codes, and retirement system laws.
- Payroll software systems, time and attendance systems, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
- Basic accounting and financial reconciliation principles.
- Best practices for records management and confidentiality.
Physical Demands / Work Environment:
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk, operating a computer, and using standard office equipment.
- Occasional lifting and carrying of files, documents, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with moderate noise levels.
- Must be able to work extended hours during peak payroll periods or deadlines.
Internal applicants must use their personal email to apply, as City of Compton work emails will not be accepted for job applications. While we cannot prevent applicants from using their work email, the City is not responsible for missed communications due to system outages, firewall restrictions, employee leave, or any other technical or accessibility issues affecting City email accounts.
All applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for the position and submit all required documents -such as licenses, certifications, and proof of education- outlined in the job posting. Incomplete applications, including those missing any required documentation, will not be considered.
Please note: Only the first 50 applications received that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to continue in the hiring process.
EXAMINATION
The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list from which vacant position(s) may be filled.
Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination and interview process.
Phase one (1) is a written examination (weighted 50%) which will measure all or portions of the above knowledge, and skills. Phase two (2) is an oral examination (weighted 50%) that will be administered by an appraisal panel to evaluate professional qualifications, background and suitability. The oral examination may include graded simulation exercises, writing exercises, and oral presentations. A passing score for each phase is 70%. Each candidate will be notified via mail or e-mail.
The City of Compton reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods, if deemed necessary. Failure in one phase of the examination shall be grounds for declaring the applicant as failing in the entire examination, and as disqualified for subsequent parts of an examination.
GENERAL INFORMATION TO EXAMINATION APPLICANTS
The City of Compton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or provisions of services.
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must give advanced notice to the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date.
ELIGIBLE LISTS
Recruitment may be conducted on an (a) promotional basis, (b) open-competitive basis, or (c) promotional and open-competitive basis simultaneously. All candidates who attain an overall score of at least 70.00 (open-competitive) and at least 75.00 (promotional) will be placed in rank order on the relevant eligible list(s).
PLEASE NOTE:
All permanent City employees that attain an overall score of at least 75.00 will be placed on both the promotional eligible list and the open-competitive eligible list. All City employees that attain a score of 70.00 on EACH PHASE of the examination but an overall score of less than 75.00 will be placed on the open-competitive eligible list only.
Each eligible list shall remain in effect one (1) year from the date of its establishment unless it is extended, abolished or exhausted. Whenever possible, three (3) names are certified to fill any one (1) vacant position. No candidate may be certified more than three (3) times for any one classified position. When certifying eligible lists to appointing powers, the promotional eligible list takes precedence over the open-competitive eligible list. A department manager's recommendation for employment is subject to the City Manager's approval.
EXAMINATION APPEAL PROCEDURE
A candidate may, within five (5) days after taking the written examination, file in writing with the City Manager an appeal against any part of the test, citing the item or items against which the appeal is directed, and the reason(s) for such appeal. The Personnel Board will consider appeals from the decisions and ratings of qualifications appraisals (interview) boards if such appeals meet the conditions described in the Personnel Rules and Regulations (Section 6.8).
EXAMINATION RECORDS
All examination papers, including the employment application, resume, and other attachments submitted by candidates are the property of the Personnel Board and are confidential records which may be open to inspection only for purposes and under conditions established by the Personnel Board.
VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
In all entrance examinations (open-competitive only) for positions in the Classified Service, veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States during time(s) of war, and who attain an overall passing score in the examination are allowed additional preferential credit in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations. In order to claim veterans' credit, the applicant must submit proof of service and honorable discharge (showing specific dates of service) on a U.S. Military form (DD-214) at the time of application or not later than the final filing date for the examination.
FRINGE BENEFITS
The City's comprehensive fringe benefits program includes: retirement (Public Employees' Retirement System), medical, dental, life and vision insurances, deferred compensation, sick and vacation leaves, after-hours education reimbursement, ride share program, uniform allowance and other provisions. Jetzt bewerben
