Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

Annual Salary : $54,582 - $77,180 P Posting Date : 1110 / 17 / 2025

Competitive

Be Benefits

Package :

CalPERS Retirement, Supplemental Insurance,

457 Retirement Plan, Flex Spending Account,

E Employer Contribution to Medical Benefits

F Filing Deadline : Open until filled

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision, independently performs a variety of technical payroll processing functions; collects

timekeeping information, uploads payroll information, calculates payroll, and issues pay and pay-related

information to employees in accordance with established practices and guidelines; maintains the District's

timekeeping system; works with employees and supervisors to accurately record time worked; prepares and

submits a variety of federal and state mandated tax and other reports; and performs related work as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Coordinates, monitors, maintains and ensures timeliness of bi-weekly payroll processing; ensures accuracy

and timeliness of payroll actions related to employee salary and benefits. Reviews and audits time entry and

timekeeping reports for accuracy; reviews and processes employee transaction forms and verifies submitted

paperwork for accuracy; enters electronic and manual timesheets; reconciles paid leave accruals, reviews

time off requests, and related paid leave time. Processes bi-weekly payroll run; reviews reports for accuracy

and prepares reports for system uploads; reconciles and conducts full audit of payroll register. Determines

payroll liabilities by calculating and reporting employee and employer federal and state income taxes,

insurance deductions, garnishments, insurance deductions, retirement contributions, loan payments, and

other employee deductions. Performs all payroll related reporting functions to include CalPERS and taxing

authorities. Responds to inquiries from departments, employees and other agencies concerning payroll

issues; resolves issues and ensures confidentiality of employee information; reviews a variety of reports that

are generated from the payroll system for accuracy; compiles summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions,

leaves of absence, disability insurance, and nontaxable wages; researches discrepancies and makes

adjustments as necessary. Identifies problems in the payroll system and recommends alternate methods and

procedures. Processes, verifies, and issues annual earnings and withholding statements (W2), employer

• healthcare statements (1095) to state and federal agencies, and total compensation data and reports;

researches, interprets, and applies laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures in the processing of

payroll that govern employee pay and benefits; ensures compliance with federal and state regulations and

guidelines and applicable labor agreements and District policies. Makes mathematical and / or statistical

calculations of salary, deductions, leave adjustments, wage attachments and other payroll related

adjustments. Facilitates employee supervisory and employee training of payroll system processing and

procedures. Ensures staff compliance with District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITY

Knowledge of terminology and practices of payroll processing and reporting, business arithmetic and basic

accounting principles and practices, computerized finance systems and software systems related to payroll

processing; applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, rules and policies; principles and

practices of payroll auditing and employee benefits processes; provisions of labor agreements impacting pay

and benefits; District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols; techniques for providing a high

level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff; modern

equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination,

including computers and software programs relevant to work performed; the structure and content of the

English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Ability to perform detailed payroll processing work accurately and in a timely manner; audit payroll and other

financial documents for completeness and accuracy; work closely with staff to maintain a high level of integrity

and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and complex payroll issues; interpret, apply, explain, and

review, post, balance, reconcile, and maintain accurate and confidential payroll records; independently

organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments; use tact, initiative,

prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines; effectively use

computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to

perform a variety of work tasks; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using

appropriate English grammar and syntax; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working

relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Education / Work Experience : High school diploma (or equivalent) plus college-level coursework in accounting,

finance, or a related field, and at least two years of experience in payroll processing or technical accounting

support.

FILING

The minimum qualifications as stated in this job announcement represent only the basic requirements of the

position. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited to participate

in other segments of the selection process. Applications received after the deadline may be reviewed and

kept on file for up to six months for future consideration. Applications may be obtained from our Administrative

Offices, 19 Upper Ragsdale Drive, Suite 200, Monterey, the Salinas Transit Center, 110 Salinas Street,

Salinas, the Marina Transit Exchange, 280 Reservation Road, Marina, CA : or by visiting MST online at

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. SUBMIT COMPLETED

APPLICATIONS TO : Monterey-Salinas Transit, Attn. Human Resources, 19 Upper Ragsdale Drive, Suite

200, Monterey, CA 93940.

ADA

Candidates who qualify under protection of the Americans with Disabilities Act and require a reasonable

accommodation for applicant testing and / or examination, should notify the MST Human Resources at least

one week prior to being scheduled for assessment.

Monterey-Salinas Transit values diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer