Payroll Specialist

Whatcom Transportation Authority • Bellingham, WA • 3d ago

Priority given to applications received by Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 9:00 pm PST.

Please attach a resume and cover letter to the application. The cover letter will be attached to the same location as the resume. Your cover letter should address why you are interested in this position and what makes you a good fit for this role.

In-person interviews are tentatively scheduled to be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Please plan to be available.

COMPENSATION: 2025 Rates

The full budgeted pay range is $38.19 - $51.22 hourly ($79,440.00 - $106,536.00 annually). Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

Administers all tasks necessary to process the organization's payroll, associated vendor payments, and tax filings. Applies state and federal laws and union contract provisions related to payroll, salary and benefit plans, and maintains employee leave balances. Responds to employee inquiries and works in close cooperation with other agency stakeholders to carry out complex tasks, including Finance, Information Technology (IT), and timekeepers throughout the organization.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Process payroll in a timely and accurate manner. Ensure employee and payroll related third-party payments are accurate and paid by deadlines. Ensure all records are maintained in accordance with IRS, federal, and state regulations and guidelines.

Create and maintain codes related to earnings, taxes, deductions, benefits, leave accruals, and data interfaces. This includes complex multi-earning dependencies and prioritized deduction calculations. Research payroll inaccuracies to identify source and create or modify procedures and reporting to prevent future errors.

Enter new hire information and deductions in HRIS. Work closely with Benefits Specialist regarding employee benefit enrollment, changes, and cancellations to ensure accurate deductions and payments.

Respond to and process wage garnishments and other wage attachments. New hire reporting to DSHS and other governmental reporting as assigned.

Administers payroll recordkeeping and archiving in accordance with retention requirements.

Partner with IT and other stakeholders to design, test, and implement changes to HRIS and attendance systems due to system upgrades and changes in regulations, policies, or the collective bargaining agreement. Evaluate impact of payroll updates on other modules and processes. Assist negotiating team in costing or testing proposal options.

Create, document, and maintain payroll policies and procedures.

Design, write, and ensure accuracy of payroll and management reports using report writing software available. Analyze payroll data.

Train users on various time entry techniques and other processes needed in the HRIS system to complete payroll processing. Create user documentation.

Reconcile payroll to the general ledger, including all payroll expense, liability, and accrual accounts, in accordance with audit standards.

Process quarterly and year end reporting as needed for Federal and State agencies including, but not limited to, accurate W2 submission.

Prepare responses to employee inquiries and public disclosure requests.

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