Payroll Specialist (Human Resource Consultant 2)

Central Washington University is recruiting a Payroll Specialist (Human Resource Consultant 2) to join our Human Resources team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $60,132 - $80,820annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator .

The Role:

This position provides essential payroll services, ensuring accurate processing, compliance, and fiscal management. This role serves as a primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries, offering guidance, resolving issues, and directing customers to appropriate resources. The position maintains in-depth knowledge of CWU payroll processes, policies, and systems, with a focus on accuracy, fiscal responsibility, and excellent customer service. Working under general direction, the role applies principles of fiscal management in record keeping, auditing, and analysis to support payroll operations.

This role collaborates closely with payroll, leave and benefits personnel, serving as a full backup to ensure seamless payroll services and operational continuity.

All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence. Human Resources employees directly affect the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by creating and supporting opportunities for employee engagement, learning, and growth.

Job Duties



Payroll Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assists in semi-monthly payroll processing, managing time and labor data, absence approvals, vendor uploads, funding, and tax filings (as backup).
- Reviews and reconciles payroll data interfaces with the Financial Management System (FMS) to ensure accuracy.
- Fiscal management includes duties such as reviewing payroll expenses, reconciling accounts, preparing financial reports, managing fund allocations, and ensuring proper use of financial resources in accordance with CWU's processes.
- Maintains payroll accounts and analyzes fiscal data; prepares journal vouchers reflecting payroll transactions and fund transfers; prepares, reconciles, and analyzes general ledger entries; develops fiscal queries or reports from existing databases; assists with fiscal year-end closing of financial records.
- Analyzes compliance with participants' authorizations for withholding in accordance with IRS regulations; reviews and processes vendor payment claims; reviews, analyzes, verifies reports, and corrects discrepancies as necessary.
- Verifies payroll queries and reports, investigates discrepancies such as overpayments or underpayments, and documents adjustments.
- Supports payroll accuracy and timeliness, ensuring funding and filing processes are completed promptly; serves as backup for tax filings and fund distributions.
- Applies rules and regulations, advising staff and administrators on policies, procedures, and recommending solutions.
- Maintains payroll records, calculates salary and benefit costs, processes personnel actions, and ensures document accuracy.
- Detects, reconciles, and corrects payroll discrepancies, including pay-line adjustments, leave adjustments, retro payments, and benefit corrections.
- Calculates and issues off-cycle checks, manual checks, and reversals; assists with collection of overpayments and follow-up procedures.
- Audits timekeeping records, reports, and procedures; enforces compliance and provides training or guidance as needed.
- Coordinates payroll deductions, tracks pay requests, leave adjustments, and overpayments; follows up on outstanding checks with the accounting department.
- Conducts audits, prepares reports, and supports quarterly/year-end tax filings
- Serves as a secondary contact for garnishments - receiving writs, creating garnishments in PS, performing calculations, submitting responses, mailing, and closing cases.
- Coordinates coverage for the Glacier Program (3rd backup) and acts as subject matter expert for the Alien Tax Program.
- Provides ongoing data processing support, including development, testing, and implementation of system changes or enhancements.
- Participates in payroll reconciliations, including PeopleSoft and general ledger (GL) reconciliation, and prepares financial reports for bank transfers.
- Shares knowledge and cross-trains team members to maintain operational coverage.

Time and Labor Administration Duties
- Performs all Time and Labor duties as assigned and serves as backup, collaborating with the Time and Labor Administrator to ensure all responsibilities are covered.
- Troubleshoots issues, runs queries, develops policies, and supports system enhancements, upgrades, and training.
- Serves as a subject matter expert for the absence management module.
- Semi-monthly, reviews and confirms that all pending absences are approved and processed. Follows up with time and absence approvers to ensure all outstanding items are resolved before processing the Take and payroll is finalized. This includes cleaning out the backlog from previous months/years.
- Reviews/corrects over reported absences to prevent overpayment/overuse.
- Creates and extracts system data via queries to assist in corrective actions to absence management transactions and errors.
- Assists with development and implementation of policies and procedures related to absence management.
- Creates year-end calendar set-up in Absence Management Module.
- Provides assistance to management and employees on related topics dealing with Absence Management, specific to the needs of the client(s).
- Verifies and processes complex absence data such as, but not limited to, vacation and sick leave cash outs, separation entitlements, shared leave, leave transfers, and off-cycle adjustments.
- Runs ad-hoc conversion for time administration and absence as necessary.
- Collaborates with Leave & Accommodation personnel to ensure leave is entered per FMLA/PFML regulations and Institutional processes.
- Manages the monthly calculation and processing of all leave Entitlements.
- Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Human Resources, or related field.
• Solid working knowledge of payroll laws, regulations, fiscal methods, and best practices.
• Proven ability to perform tasks and projects to successful completion with limited supervision.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail and follow-through.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), enterprise-wide payroll/HR systems, and email communication tools.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including payroll auditing, reconciliation, and data analysis.
• Superior customer service skills with the ability to respond effectively to difficult, stressful, or sensitive situations while maintaining positive relationships with internal and external customers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and professional document composition.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex rules, regulations, and policies accurately.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and sensitivity.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
• Familiarity with federal and state wage and hour laws, garnishments, and tax reporting requirements.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in payroll processing, accounting, or related field, preferably in higher education or government.
• Proficiency with HRIS/enterprise payroll systems such as PeopleSoft (Time & Attendance and Payroll modules) and familiarity with CWU payroll processes.
• Knowledge of multi-state payroll taxation and Nonresident Alien tax compliance.
• Payroll certification preferred (Fundamental Payroll Certification - FPC, Certified Payroll Professional - CPP, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to promote institutional excellence and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values through professional experience and life experiences.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary : This position is based on the range 54 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $60,132 and maximum annual salary of $80,820. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment : Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions : Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits : CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator .

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: .

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;
• Resume including work history, education, training; and
• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: December 19, 2025

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Rebecca Posz
Title: Human Resource Consultant 3
Email: rebecca.posz@cwu.edu
Phone: 509-963-2287
Website:

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University's policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance , 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.