Job Title: Payroll Technician

SUMMARY:

Under general direction, this is the primary position responsible for City employee payroll and related activities. Incumbent performs technical and highly detailed work, prepares accounting transactions and documents, documents and updates procedures, and prepares special reports for management.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a paraprofessional accounting classification requiring well-developed accounting technical skills in addition to the knowledge of the payroll tax and insurance specialty areas. This class is distinguished from the Accounting Assistant I/II by the level of technical knowledge required of the payroll, tax and insurance specialty areas.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This list is intended to be illustrative and does not represent an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. Incumbents may not perform all duties and responsibilities listed. Other duties may be assigned.

Audits payroll data submitted, calculates the adjustments to pay records, prepares or ensures the preparation of payroll checks.
Verifies information and prepares calculations for specific payroll rates related to holiday, overtime, predetermined premium rates and other specific rates.
Processes involuntary deductions such as levies and garnishments.
Maintains records for the employee payroll system and reconciles and prepares reports and payments to various tax, financial, and insurance organizations.
Provides technical guidance to other department representatives on work processes related to payroll and timekeeping.
Maintains employee leave records and prepares reports as required.
Analyzes, compiles, and prepares a variety of periodic and special reports relating to the payroll functions, i.e. voluntary deduction reports, reconciles and files quarterly and year-end taxes, and assists with annual labor cost projections for budget development, insurance audits and labor negotiation costing.
Maintains and inputs data into the payroll system, i.e., timesheet adjustments, creates hour types, gym reimbursement, health benefit cash-in-lieu adjustment and one-time payments.
Audits pay and benefit changes each pay period and annual labor group contract updates.
Analyzes and reconciles a variety of journals, accounts, reports and records.
Processes deferred compensation payments and withdrawals, plus process necessary documents and prepare vendor remittances.
Provides payroll information to outside agencies.
Arranges for the printing and distribution of periodic and special reports and records.
Maintains supplies and forms.
Performs a variety of office support duties.
Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Bookkeeping and general municipal accounting principles and procedures. Record keeping requirements and rules and regulations related to the employee payroll process. Personnel and payroll reporting requirements of various state and federal agencies and insurance and financial firms. Office